Fiji U20s prop Jeke Lalai nailed a pushover try in the 12th minute of sudden-death extra-time to help the Knights defeat the Highlanders 15-10 in a thrilling Colonial Cup U20s Final at Ratu Cakobau Park on Saturday.

The two sides were level 10-10 at the end of normal time with a converted try and a penalty goal each, thus sudden death was called.

A penalty goal from Knights halfback Kolinio Vunaki was all that separated the teams at the breather. Highlanders lock Temo Cama scored the first try of the match in the 48th minute, and soon after, fullback Josaia Ravulovulo put them 10-3 up.

Knights centre William Umu crossed the try-line just after the hourmark and the scores remained tied until full-time.

Quotes:

Lance Whippy (Knights coach):
 “I am proud of the way the boys played today. We thank God for the win he has given us. We came here to play and give our all and left the decision to Him as to who will come out victorious today.”

“I am happy it was to be our day. I salute the boys for their efforts and the sacrifice they put in to their training and most especially my skipper, Waqabaca Kotobalavu. He really executed his job well in leading the boys on and off the field. The Highlanders were defending champions but this did not stop the boys from stepping up to the mark and they did very well. You can witness the talent that is with these young groups of boys and it should augur well for Fiji Rugby in the long run.”

 
Eroni Vereivalu (Highlanders coach):
 “I congratulate the Knights for the win. I think they deserved it. They kept attacking to the end of the game and were obviously rewarded for their efforts. We were also eyeing a win  but I believe in the end we did not show it in our game like the Knights did. I thought the best team won.”

“I also thank my boys for coming this far especially with our skipper. It’s unfortunate that we weren’t able to defend our title but all the same I thought it was a good game. It showcased the best players at the grass roots level and I believe all these players will come away from Ratu Cakobau Park today knowing they have learned a lot from the experience of playing Colonial Cup rugby.”

Epeli Naituvau (National U20s forwards coach):
 “I thought the level of game was just great, especially the performance by those players in the national squad. Though I must admit there were some players who did not show at all. But I believe with the time we have left to prepare we should be able to work and improve on those little things.”

“This is not part of our trial but it has enabled the management to gauge those that played today and understand better the strength and the weakness each brings to the U20s campaign as a whole.”

 “Our next camp is on 14-16 April where we hope to select the 26-member team to the Junior Rugby World Cup in June. The day after the camp, the team will take on Tonga in our last warm up match at home before we head off to Australia for two more warm-up matches before we journey to Wales.”

 
Saturday 5 April 2008
Knights 15 Highlanders 10 (aet)
Colonial Cup U20s Final
Ratu Cakobau Park, Nausori
Half-time: 3-0
Referee: Misaele Petero
Att: 3,500

KNIGHTS: 15 Lasarusa Tabu, 14 Taniela Cakau (Uluibau Buadromo 41), 13 William Umu, 21 Seru Sauliga (Kini Murimurivalu 68), 11 Sikeli Vuruna, 10 Kasami Natubavivi, 9 Kolinio Vunaki (Filipe Silimaibau 54), 8 Uraia Vecenadavui, 7 Waqabaca Kotobalavu (capt), 6 Soko Morotikei (Apisai Leawere 49), 5 Nacanieli Namata (Viliame Tuwai 55), 4 Joseva Levula (yellow card 44-53), 3 Jeke Lalai (Waisea Daveta 51) ,16 Alivereti Matirewa (Saula Qalomai 41, yellow card 58-67), 1 Timoci Namotokula (Jeke Lalai 76)
Coach: Lance Whippy
Tries: Umu, Lalai; Conversion: Tabu; Penalty goal: Vunaki

 HIGHLANDERS: 15 Josaia Ravulovulo, 14 Patemo Muavesi (yellow card 78-87), 13 John Stewart, 12 Ifereimi Duvaga (Peniasi Mudu 67), 11 Jone Luveitasau, 10 Anare Vakawaletabua, 9 Tevita Vodivodi (Etoni Naitokarua 67), 8 Sireli Kaloucava, 7 Jese Cirikisuva (capt), 6 Inoke Tawake, 5 Temo Cama (Serupepeli Qaranivalu 39-45), 4 Unaloto Ofa (Pio Seru 61), 3 Onisimo Rokolea, 2 Aminio Vuki (yellow card 36-45, Jeremaia Tekemalua 61), 1 Josaia Tabaiwalu
Not used: Tevita Tuiloa, Epei Cokanasiga
Coach: Eroni Vereivalu
Try: Cama; Conversion: Ravulovulo; Penalty goal: Ravulovulo

 
Colonial Man of the Match: Waqabaca Kotobalavu (Knights)

 Scoring Sequence (Knights’ scores shown first):
13min – PEN GOAL KNIGHTS, Vunaki – 3-0
18min – PEN GOAL HIGHLANDERS, Ravulovulo (missed) – 3-0
28min – PEN GOAL KNIGHTS, Vunaki (missed) – 3-0
Half-time
48min – TRY HIGHLANDERS, Cama, conversion Ravulovulo – 3-7
59min – PEN GOAL HIGHLANDERS, Ravulovulo – 3-10
62min – TRY KNIGHTS, Umu, conversion, Tabu – 10-10
71min – PEN GOAL HIGHLANDERS, Ravulovulo (missed) – 10-10
75min – PEN GOAL HIGHLANDERS, Ravulovulo (missed) – 10-10
Full-time
92min – TRY KNIGHTS, Lalai – 15-10
 ==END