Fiji made a statement of intent in their opening game of a two-match series against the Maori All Blacks when they beat their New Zealand rivals 27-10 in Suva on Saturday.
The result is an historical one for the Pacific Islanders as it is their first triumph over the Maori All Blacks since 1957.
Fiji outscored their visitors by four tries to two with Waisea Nayacalevu leading the way with a brace and Viliame Mata and Alivereti Veitokani also crossed the whitewash. The rest of their points came via the boot of Ben Volavola, who slotted two conversions and a penalty.
The Maori All Blacks' points came courtesy of two tries from Sean Wainui.
The home side dominated from the outset and led 12-0 at half-time after Veitokani and Mata scored their tries.
Just before the interval, the visitors were reduced to 14 men when Otere Black was yellow carded for a cynical defensive foul inside his 22 and Fiji made full use of their numerical advantage when Nayacalevu crossed for his first try early in the second half.
Volavola also added a penalty shortly after the restart but the Maori All Blacks struck back with Wainui's two tries after Black returned from the sin bin.
The home side finished stronger, however, and sealed a memorable win when Nayacalevu scored his second try in the game's closing stages.
It's after 62 years Fiji Airways Flying Fijians have managed to beat Maori All Blacks. What a game its was 27-10 infront of the home crowd. Click below to read the game review#itsfijistime: https://t.co/4ThHvKx8Pc
— Fiji Rugby Union (@fijirugby) July 13, 2019
The scorers:
For Fiji:
Tries: Veitokani, Mata, Nayacalevu 2
Cons: Volavola 2
Pen: Volavola
For Maori All Blacks:
Tries: Wainui 2
Yellow Card: Black
Fiji: 15 Alivereti Veitokani, 14 Josua Tuisova, 13 Waisea Nayacalevu, 12 Lepani Botia, 11 Eroni Sau, 10 Ben Volavola, 9 Frank Lomani, 8 Viliame Mata, 7 Semi Kunatani, 6 Dominiko Waqaniburotu, 5 Leone Nakarawa, 4 Albert Tuisue, 3 Manasa Saulo, 2 Sam Matavesi, 1 Peni Ravai
Replacements: 16 Mesulame Dolokoto, 17 Eroni Mawi, 18 Kalivati Tawake, 19 Api Ratuniyarawa, 20 Nemani Nagusa, 21 Henry Seniloli, 22 Sevanaia Galala, 23 Patrick Osbourne
Maori All Blacks: 15 Fletcher Smith, 14 Shaun Stevenson, 13 Rob Thompson, 12 Teihorangi Walden, 11 Sean Wainui, 10 Otere Black, 9 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 8 Akira Ioane, 7 Mitch Karpik, 6 Reed Prinsep, 5 Tom Franklin, 4 Isaia Walker-Leawere, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Ash Dixon (c), 1 Ross Wright
Replacements: 16 Nathan Harris, 17 Haereiti Hetet, 18 Marcel Renata, 19 Pari Pari Parkinson, 20 Whetukamokamo Douglas, 21 Bryn Hall, 22 Alex Nankivell, 23 Jordan Hyland
Referee: Damon Murphy (Australia)
Assistant referees: Nic Berry (Australia), Jordan Way (Australia)
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