Flying Fijians make a perfect start to its season
Fiji Airways Flying Fijians made a perfect start to its 2019 RWC campaign beating the Maori All Blacks 27-10 in the Pacific Series Test at ANZ Stadium in Suva today.
A jam packed crowd was behind the Flying Fijians as the mounted pressure from the first minute.
Flying Fijians full-back Alivereti Veitokani opened the score sheet, drizzling his way past the MABs defence and diving in for the first try. Ben Volavola added the extras from the conversion.
Star number eight Viliame Mata got Fiji’s second try in the 32nd minute after a superb off load from Leone Nakarawa. Fiji lead 12-nil at the breather.
Fiji Airways Flying Fijians were on fire in the second spell and Volavola extended the lead in the 45th minute through penalty kick.
They continued to impress the fans. Great off loads from skipper Dominiko Waqaniburotu and Filipo Nakosi saw Waisea Nayacalevu dive over for a try.
The MABs managed to score two tries narrowing the gap 22-10. But the Flying Fijians had the final say of the game as Nayacalevu got his second try in the 74th minute to seal the game.
It’s after 62 years the Flying Fijians managed to secure a win over their opponent.
Coach John McKee was impressed with the performance and said the two weeks of hard-work paid off.
“We put in the hard-yards last week down at Lawaqa Park and at the Sand Dunes. There was some really good work on our game plan this week and it was really pleasing for me the way the boys came together against Maori All Blacks.”
He added “There is still work to be done from now to the start of the RWC in Japan.”
“We just wanted to start our campaign on a high note and against a great opposition like New Zealand Maori, it shows we have been doing good work at training.”
McKee highlighted “The squad is packed with talents and it will be tough to select the team for RWC.”
“We have started to build a really strong depth which is going to be important in our Rugby World Cup game. There is competitions at all the positions and we will work forward as a team” he said.
Captain Dominiko Waqaniburotu thanked his players for the great showdown in Suva today.
He said “It was a good achievement for the boys today. What I told the boys was this was just another game and that what we need to be focused.”
Flying Fijians face Maori All Blacks in its final Pacific Series Test match next Saturday in Rotorua.