Flanker Peni Tora scored two second-half tries to lead the Knights to a 24-16 win over the Highlanders at Ratu Cakobau Park in Nausori on Saturday and thus qualify for their first final in the Colonial Cup's five-year history.

Tora's first try also proved to be the turning point for the Knights, who had trailed 13-7 at the breather and had fallen further behind 16-7 in the 50th minute. Tora’s quick brace turned the game around and a late effort from Malakai Bakaniceva sealed the victory in front of a strong home crowd.

Fighting off a scary opening when Knights wing Timoci Naqusa dotted down under the posts in the 3rd minute, the Highlanders looked the more controlled keeping mistakes to a minimum. The Knights on appeared a touch nervous and kept giving away possession. Highlanders fullback Ben Soso kicked two penalty goals and fly-half Saiasi Fuli completed a superb move down the right score on the counter as the 2006 champions took control.

Approaching the hour mark and with the game seemed headed towards the Highlanders, Tora produced a rather neat chip-kick over the opposition defence and ran through to collect and touch down. With the tide turned, he scored again minutes later and the Knights were on their way to their first Colonial Cup final.

The Knights will host the grand final against the Crusaders next Saturday, most likely at Ratu Cakobau Park, but the Fiji Rugby Union will confirm the venue on Monday.

Quotes:

Eddie Waqa (Knights coach):
“I am ecstatic. The boys have created history here today and in front of their home crowd and I salute them all. We came here to win and give something back to the home fans after the loss to the Highlanders in the pool games and we have done it here today.”

“I believe our feet were not planted on the ground from the kick-off and this was why the boys did not perform so well in the first half. We had a good discussion in the break and worked on a game plan that would lift our game and most especially how to use possession wisely. And I thank the boys for a job well done.”

Josua Toakula (Highlanders coach):
“I am not very happy about the loss. It’s the goal of every coach to win all their games but unfortunately the game did not go teh way we had hoped for. But all the same I would like to first thank all the players that have taken part for the Highlanders this season. It was a good season overall for us and I hope the boys will learn from the loss and strive to do better next year.”

“On that note I extend my congratulations to the Knights. They played their hearts out today and deserved the win. And they certainly used to their advantage our mistakes in the second half and turned them into points.”

Saturday 29 March 2008
Knights 24 Highlanders 16
Colonial Cup semi-final
Ratu Cakobau Park, Nausori
Half-time: 7-13
Referee: Napolioni Locoloco
Att: 4,000

KNIGHTS: 15 Iliesa Keresoni, 14 Timoci Naqusa, 13 Saula Radidi (Sisa Waqa 57), 12 Kelemedi Bola, 11 Nacanieli Nabobo (Malakai Bakaniceva 66), 10 James Vuli, 9 Nemia Kenatale, 8 Senirusi Seruvakula (Mosese Sela 70-78), 7 Sairusi Kadi (Apenisa Ratugoleavanua 55), 6 Wate Vocevoce, 5 Peni Tora, 4 Keverieli Bulivorovoro (Jim Patrick 73), 3 Sunia Sevu (Sisari Tagivakatini 52, yellow card 67-76), 2 Vereniki Sauturaga, 1 Sakeo Latianara
Not used: Ravai Fatiaki
Coach: Eddie Waqa
Tries: Tora (2), Naqusa, Bakaniceva; Conversions: Vuli (2)

HIGHLANDERS: 15 Ben Soso, 14 Mosese Luveitasau, 13 Rupeni Kamikamica (yellow card 75-), 12 Daniele Baleinadogo (Ropate Ratu 72), 11 Alusio Buto (Josese Vakatawakovo 56), 10 Saiasi Fuli, 9 Waisale Vatuvoka (Semiti Raikuna 69), 8 Sakiusa Matadigo (Mitieli Cama 72), 7 Samu Bola, 6 Koresi Ledua, 5 Samuela Anisi, 4 Mosese Vasuitoga, 3 Jale Koroi (Bese Bunimasi 59), 2 Eseroma Cakacaka (Isireli Ledua 71), 1 Alefoso Yalayalatabua
Not used: Jimilai Naikadawa
Coach: Josua Toakula
Try: Fuli; Conversion: Soso; Penalty goals: Soso (3)

Colonial Man of the Match: Wate Vocevoce (Knights)

Scoring Sequence (Knights’ scores shown first):
3min – TRY KNIGHTS, Naqusa, conversion Vuli – 7-0
19min – PEN GOAL HIGHLANDERS, Soso – 7-3
22min – TRY HIGHLANDERS, Fuli, conversion soso – 7-10
28min – DROP GOAL HIGHLANDERS, Soso (missed) – 7-10
39min – PEN GOAL HIGHLANDERS, Soso – 7-13
Half-time
44min – PEN GOAL KNIGHTS, Vuli (missed) – 7-13
50min – PEN GOAL HIGHLANDERS, Soso – 7-16
57min – TRY KNIGHTS, Tora, conversion Vuli – 14-16
65min – TRY KNIGHTS, Tora, conversion Vuli (missed) – 19-16
69min – PEN GOAL HIGHLANDERS, Soso (missed) – 19-16
78min – PEN GOAL KNIGHTS, Vuli (missed) – 19-16
79min – TRY KNIGHTS, Bakaniceva, conversion Vuli (missed) – 24-16
Full-time