Tonga send warning with promising victory over Australia ‘A’

A high-powered Tonga side claimed a historic 27-21 win over Australia ‘A’ at the Teufaiva Stadium in Nuku’alofa on Friday.

The home side started well and held off a second-half surge from Australia ‘A’ to delight their fans.  It only took three minutes for Tonga to score through Salesi Piutau with William Havili missing the conversion.

Taniela Tupou who made his injury return in this clash showcased his strength early on with a scrum penalty.  However, his side would not benefit as Tonga snapped up a loose ball resulting in Fine Inisi going over for a second try in the first 10 minutes.  Havili made no mistake from the tee on this occasion.

The Australians were their own worst enemy and struggled to get into the game because of several handling errors.  The hosts remained at their brutal best and after a string of scrum penalties crossed through Tanginoa Halaifonua on the 24-minute mark.

Piutau was once again at the heart of some stunning play as he put Inisi in for his second try of the clash, giving the hosts a commanding 24-0 lead at half-time.

Game of two halves

Australia ‘A’ needed some magic of their own and it came through James O’Connor who orchestrated some space for speedster Corey Tool five minutes after the break.  Fly-half Bernard Foley was on hand to convert from the touchline.

The try gave the visitors confidence and they grew further into the game with Lachlan Anderson scoring a try of his own just before the hour mark with skipper Foley on hand to nail the kick.

The comeback would come even closer as Josh Flook benefited from a Lukhan Salakai-Loto breakaway to take his team to within three points of Tonga.

However, the hosts hung on after a late penalty from Manu Paea to claim a 27-21 victory.

Foley thanks the Tongan people for their hospitality and the team for their physical battle.

“It’s been great to be here, the hospitality from the Tongan people and Tongan public has been exceptional ― we felt very welcomed coming here,” he said.

“We knew it was going to be a physical match, they really gave it to us at the start and put us under pressure.

“We came up against a really quality side in Tonga with plenty of strike weapons in their backline.  We weren’t able to stop them early on and we paid for that.

“But again, it was a great opportunity for everyone to play here and we’re hungry and motivated to keep going ahead of the Rugby World Cup.”

Waldrom try wins Maori the PNC

Thomas Waldrom's last-gasp try gave New Zealand Maori the Pacific Nations Cup with a 21-18 win over Australia A in Sydney on Sunday.

Even then Mark Gerrard had the chance to tie the scores with the last kick of the game -- and give Australia A the title -- but his penalty shot from 45m dropped just short.

The home side started well, and had got to a 7-0 lead with an early try from rising star Timana Tahu, but quickfire tries from Jacob Ellison and Tanerau Latimer had the Maori 14-7 in front at the break.

But Tahu struck again, and Gerrard landed two crucial penalties to put his team 18-14 ahead before Waldrom's late surge.

Relieved New Zealand Maori coach Donny Stevenson paid tribute to his side's character, although he said they were often their own worst enemies.

"In the end we had some experienced guys to get us through but we didn't make it easy for ourselves, we were really scrambling at the end," he told reporters.

"We thought if we could put some phases together the opportunities would come but we lost the ball at critical times. I was concerned at some of the decision making."

The scorers:

For Australia A:
Tries:  Tahu 2
Con:  Gerrard
Pens:  Gerrard 2

For New Zealand Maori:
Tries:  Ellison, Latimer, Waldrom
Cons:  Bruce 3

Australia A:  15 Mark Gerrard, 14 Drew Mitchell, 13 Morgan Turinui, 12 Timana Tahu, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Daniel Halangahu, 9 Brett Sheehan, 8 Richard Brown, 7 Julian Salvi, 6 Hugh McMeniman, 5 Peter Kimlin, 4 Al Campbell, 3 Guy Shepherdson, 2 Sean Hardman, 1 Sekope Kepu.
Replacements:  16 John Ulugia, 17 Salesi Ma'afu, 18 Van Humphries, 19 Leroy Houston, 20 Ben Lucas, 21 Sam Norton-Knight, 22 Matt Carraro.

New Zealand Maori:  15 Dwayne Sweeney, 14 Shannon Paku, 13 Jason Kawau, 12 Tamati Ellison (Co-captain), 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Callum Bruce, 9 Piri Weepu, 8 Thomas Waldrom, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Liam Messam (Co-captain), 5 Jason Eaton, 4 Ross Filipo, 3 Bronson Murray/Ben May, 2 Aled de Malmanche, 1 Jacob Ellison.
Replacements:  16 Hikawera Elliot, 17 Bronson Murray/Ben May, 18 Hoani MacDonald, 19 Scott Waldrom, 20 Chris Smylie, 21 Tim Bateman, 22 Zar Lawrence.

Referee:  James Bolabiu (Fiji)
Assessor:  Bob Francis (New Zealand)

Australian understudies smash Fiji

The forthcoming Pacific Nations clash between Australia A and New Zealand Maori will be a virtual final with both sides heading into the final week undefeated after victories in the latest round of matches.

Australia A recorded an emphatic 50-13 win over Fiji in Brisbane on Sunday, while on Saturday the Maori overpowered Japan 65-22 in Napier and Samoa edged Tonga 20-15 in Nuku'alofa.

The winner-takes-all clash between the Australian understudies and the New Zealanders will take place on Sunday in Sydney.

In front of a crowd of over 4,500, and in beautiful conditions, Australia A got on the board as early as the third minute thanks to a try by Digby Ioane.

Further tries to Lachie Turner, scrum half Ben Lucas and Drew Mitchell, all converted by Daniel Halangahu, gave Australia A a healthy 31-3 half time lead.

Australia A started the second half as they finished the first with captain Morgan Turinui crossing for a try in the 45th minute, which was converted by Halangahu again to make it 38-3.

Fiji hit back through prop Graham Dews but a second unconverted try by Turner and a converted try by Stephen Hoiles brought up the half century for Australia A.  Fijian inside centre Kameli Ratuvou scored on the stroke of full time to make the final tally 50-13.

Queensland loose forward Hugh McMeniman was named Man of the Match and afterwards Australian coach Phil Mooney expressed his delight at another impressive outing by his young team.

"It was a good overall performance rather than outstanding individual efforts and to do that against a team I have a lot of respect for in Fiji makes it especially pleasing," Mooney said.

"Clearly starting as well as we did with Digby (Ioane) scoring in the first few minutes set them back and then we had a period of consolidation before putting on some more strong tries just before half time.

"The backs performed well but it was the forwards who laid the platform with a good solid performance from players like Guy Shepherdson, Sean Hardman and Hughie McMeniman."

The win now sets up a virtual Grand Final next Sunday at the Sydney Football Stadium when the undefeated Australia A face New Zealand Maori, who are also unbeaten.  The winner will be crowned champion of this year's IRB Pacific Nations Cup.

"In the back of our mind we always wanted to go into the last game against the Maori playing for the title and now that has arisen," said Mooney.

"But we've now got to take it just like any other game and prepare well this week."

With Wallabies stars Lote Tuqiri and Wycliff Palu suffering injuries in the Test against France in Sydney, Mooney was also aware he may lose some of his squad to the Wallabies.

"I'll talk to Robbie [Deans, Australia coach] and in the next 24 hours we'll get fair idea of who we'll have next week.

"But that's the purpose of our programme partly, to keep players in match condition in case they are called up to the Wallabies, so that was something we were always aware of."

The scorers:

For Australia A
Tries:  Turner 2, Ioane, Lucas, Mitchell, Turinui, Hoiles
Cons:  Halangahu 6
Pens:  Halangahu

For Fiji:
Tries:  Dews, Ratuvou
Cons:  Rawaqa

Australia A:  15 Drew Mitchell, 14 Lachlan Turner, 13 Morgan Turinui, 12 Timana Tahu, 11 Digby Ioane, 9 Daniel Halangahu, 9 Ben Lucas, 8 Stephen Hoiles, 7 Richard Brown, 6 Hugh McMeniman, 5 Peter Kimlin, 4 Mark Chisholm, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Sean Hardman, 1 Ben Alexander.
Replacements:  16 John Ulugia, 17 Guy Shepherdson, 18 Van Humphries, 19 Julian Salvi, 20 Brett Sheehan, 21 Sam Norton-Knight, 22 Mark Gerrard.

Fiji:  15 Taniela Rawaqa, 14 Timoci Nagusa, 13 Vereniki Goneva, 12 Marika Vakacegu, 11 Michael Tagicakibau, 10 Waisea Luveniyali, 9 Mosese Rauluni, 8 Netani Talei, 7 Sailosi Rabonaqica, 6 Semisi Naevo, 5 Kele Leawere, 4 Ifereimi Rawaqa, 3 Jone Railomo, 2 Sunia Koto, 1 Graham Dewes.
Replacements:  16 Vereniki Sauturaga, 17 Tiko Matawalu, 18 Wame Lewaravu, 19 Deryck Thomas, 20 Aporosa Vata, 21 Kameli Ratuvou, 22 Sireli Naqelevuki.

Referee:  Jonathan White (New Zealand)

Tonga sent packing by Australia A

Australia A, reinforced by several first team squad players, gave Tonga a rugby lesson with a 90-7 win in Sydney in the Pacific Nations Cup on Sunday.

The Australians ran in 14 tries in all, with number eight Stephen Hoiles doting down for four and reserve back Drew Mitchell grabbing a late hat-trick on his return from injury.

Winger Digby Ioane and flyhalf Sam Norton-Knight each crossed twice, and former rugby league star Timana Tahu played a starring role at inside centre, scoring one try and setting up six more.

The scorers:

For Australia A:
Tries:  Hoiles 4, Ioane 2, Norton-Knight 2, Mitchell 2, Turinui, Tahu, Phibbs, Turner
Cons:  Carraro 4, Halangahu 3, Norton-Knight 2, Sheehan

For Tonga:
Try:  Maasi
Con:  Lilo

Australia A:  15 Lachlan Turner, 14 Matt Carraro, 13 Morgan Turinui, 12 Timana Tahu, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Sam Norton-Knight, 9 Brett Sheehan, 8 Stephen Hoiles, 7 Richard Brown, 6 Hugh McMeniman, 5 Peter Kimlin, 4 Mark Chisholm, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Sean Hardman, 1 Ben Alexander.
Replacements:  16 John Ulugia, 17 Guy Shepherdson, 18 Al Campbell, 19 Julian Salvi, 20 Patrick Phibbs, 21 Daniel Halangahu, 22 Drew Mitchell.

Tonga:  15 Vunga Lilo, 14 Samisoni Pone, 13 Suka Hufanga, 12 Metui Maile, 11 Sione Piukala, 10 Fangatapu Apikotoa, 9 Soane Havea, 8 Lotu Filipine, 7 Nili Latu, 6 Joshua Afu, 5 Emosi Kauhenga, 4 Sione Timani, 3 Tonga Lea'aetoa, 2 Viliami Ma'asi, 1 Toma Toke.
Replacements:  16 Semisi Telefoni, 17 Sateki Mata'u, 18 Samiu Ika, 19 Tevita Fifita, 20 Enele Taufa, 21 Sione Mone Tu'ipulotu, 22 Tupou Palu.

Referee:  Paul Honiss (New Zealand)

Australia A see off Samoa

Australia A maintained their winning start to the IRB Pacific Nations Cup, but only just as they overcame the conditions and a committed Samoa side 20-15 in front of a crowd of 15,500 in Apia on Saturday.

A strong second-string Australian side containing Rugby World Cup 2007 squad members Mark Gerrard and Morgan Turinui led 10-3 at the break and seemed to be in control of the match before Samoa came back in the second half to ensure a thrilling climax.

In wet and humid conditions in the Samoan capital, the Australians made light work of the opening exchanges with wing Timana Tahu crossing for the opening try of the match after 10 minutes, while Gerrard's conversion and two penalties to a Neli Sasulu three pointer left the visitors in complete control of the match.

However, the Samoans started the second half in determined fashion and started to stamp their mark on the match with characteristic hard running and strong forward play.

The pressure was enough to catch the Australians cold, and after just three minutes the home side hit back with a well-worked try through hooker Loleni Tafunai to close the gap to just two points.

The score remained in the balance until the 68th minute when Turinui cut through the Samoan defence to break the deadlock.  Replacement Matt Carraro's conversion eased the pressure on last year's runners-up as the score opened up a nine-point lead.

A Carraro penalty stretched Australia A's lead to 20-8, which is how the score remained until the final moments of a pulsating match.  Australia A appeared to have the game in the bag, but the Samoans were not finished and launched a series of attacks on the Australian line.

With the pressure mounting, the Samoans came close on several occasions before replacement hooker Muliufi Salanoa crashed over for a try.  Sevens star Uale Male added the conversion, much to the delight of the home support, to reduce the arrears to five to set up a tense climax.

With time up on the clock, Samoa chased the winning score, but the Australians held firm for the victory.

The scorers:

For Samoa:
Tries:  Salanoa, Tafunai
Cons:  Mai
Pens:  Sasulu
Drops:

For Australia A:
Tries:  Tahu, Turinui
Cons:  Gerrard, Carraro
Pens:  Gerrard, Carraro

Turner spares Australia A embarrassment

Wing Lachlan Turner scored a late try to salvage a draw for Australia A in Fiji, in their final Pacific Nations Cup match in Suva on Saturday.

Clint Schifcofske could even have nicked a win for the visitors, but he missed the conversion from wide out.

The Fijians had stormed into a 14-9 lead, with wing Filimone Bolavucu scoring two terrific length-of-the-pitch tries, both converted by fly-half Waisea Luveniyali.

The hot weather made things tricky for the Aussies, who made a stack of errors and lost hooker Tatufu Polota-Nau to injury just after the break.

Trailing 7-3 at the break, Cameron Shepherd doubled his tally of penalties before Schifcofske put the visitors in the lead with another pot at goal.

But Bolavucu intercepted a careless Ryan Cross pass for what looked to be the winning score for the Fijians.

But right at the death, the hosts' energy flagged, and the Australian pack shoved their Fijian counterpart off their own scrum ball, allowing Turner to wriggle through.

The scorers:

For Fiji:
Tries:  Bolavucu 2
Cons:  Luveniyali 2

For Australia A:
Try:  Turner
Pens:  Shepherd 2, Schifcofske

Fiji:  15 Norman Ligairi, 14 Isoa Neivua, 13 Kameli Ratuvou, 12 Seru Rabeni, 11 Filimone Bolavucu, 10 Waisea Luveniyali, 9 Jone Daunivucu, 8 Sisa Koyamaibole, 7 Aca Ratuva, 6 Semisi Naevo, 5 Kele Leawere (c), 4 Ifereimi Rawaqa, 3 Henry Qiodravu, 2 Sunia Koto, 1 Alefoso Yalayalatabua.
Replacements:  16 Vereniki Sauturaga, 17 Apisai Turukawa, 18 Peniasi Tokakece, 19 Dale Tonawai, 20 Moses Rauluni, 21 Sisa Waqa, 22 Gabiriele Lovobalavu

Australia 'A':  15 Cameron Shepherd, 14 Digby Ioane, 13 Junior Pelesasa, 12 Ryan Cross, 11 Lachie Turner, 10 Berrick Barnes, 9 Josh Valentine, 8 David Lyons, 7 David Pocock, 6 Hugh McMeniman, 5 James Horwill, 4 Alister Campbell (c), 3 Nic Henderson, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Rodney Blake.
Replacements:  16 Sean Hardman, 17 Gareth Hardy, 18 Dean Mumm, 19 Jone Tawake, 20 Josh Holmes, 21 Sam Norton-Knight, 22 Clinton Schifcofske.

Referee:  Chris Pollock (New Zealand)
Touch judges:  Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand), Napolione Locoloco (Fiji)

Aussies to face Kiwis in decider

Australia 'A' will play the Junior All Blacks in the decisive match of the Pacific Nations Cup next week, after the Australians eased past a hopelessly outclassed Japan -- winning 71-10 at the Dairy Farmers Stadium in Townsville on Saturday.

The Junior All Blacks had earlier kept their 100 percent record intact with a 39-13 win over Tonga.

The two results mean Australia remain in second place in the competition, one point behind the Junior All Blacks, who it plays in Dunedin next Saturday.

Scrum-half Josh Holmes scored a hat-trick of tries for Australia 'A' on Saturday, while centre Ryan Cross claimed a double.

Goal-kicking winger Clinton Schifcofske finished with a personal haul of 26 points from one try, nine conversions and one penalty goal.

The unbeaten Australians trailed 10-7 early in their encounter with Japan, but scored 64 unanswered points in the 10-tries-to-one mauling.

Despite a lack of early possession, Japan held a narrow lead midway through the first half, before the class of Australia's outside men put the result beyond doubt.

The Australians scored 10 tries to one, and in the process, showed some promising signs in both attack and defence ahead of their blockbuster clash against the Junior All Blacks next Saturday.

Fly-half Berrick Barnes orchestrated several of the team's tries while 19-year-old Force flanker David Pocock was awarded man-of-the-match honours.

Australia A converted early pressure into points in the seventh minute with a David Pocock break allowing Ryan Cross to score the first five-pointer of the match.

The Japanese hit back soon after with an 11th minute penalty goal, before a converted try against the run of play to Bryce Robins, saw Japan take a shock 10-7 lead after 16 minutes.

A Clinton Schifcofske penalty-goal levelled the scores at 10-10 after 20 minutes before a brilliant solo try to Ryan Cross, his second, triggered a four-try-blitz which saw Australia A take a 36-10 lead into the break.

The nine-minute rampage included a try to Schifcofske in the 30th minute, before Holmes crossed twice in as many minutes on the back of some Berrick Barnes brilliance.

It was much of the same to start the second-half when a pin-point Berrick Barnes kick found Force winger Haig Sare, after just four minutes.

Holmes notched up his hat-trick soon after on the back of a deft Peter Hewat chip and chase to bring up the Australians' half-century to lead 50-10.

Replacement prop Salesi Ma'afu was sent to the sin-bin midway through the second-half when he retaliated to a stray Japanese boot, but in his absence front-row counterpart Gareth Hardy finished some enterprising attack to cross in the 66th minute, which Schifcofske converted to lead 57-10.

Ma'afu redeemed himself sides in the 72nd minute with a try of his own, before replacement fly-half, Kurtley Beale, finished the 71-10 rout with a solo effort in the final minute of the match.

The scorers:

For Australia A:
Tries:  Holmes 3, Cross 2, Schifcofske, Sare, Hardy, Ma'afu, Beale
Cons:  Schifcofske 9
Pen:  Schifcofske

For Japan:
Try:  Robins
Con:  Ono
Pen:  Ono

Red card:  Salesi Ma'afu (Australia -- second yellow card)

Teams:

Australia A:  15 Peter Hewat, 14 Clinton Schifcofske, 13 Junior Pelesasa, 12 Ryan Cross, 11 Haig Sare, 10 Berrick Barnes, 9 Josh Holmes, 8 Jone Tawake, 7 David Pocock, 6 Dean Mumm, 5 Will Caldwell, 4 Alister Campbell (captain), 3 Troy Takiari, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Gareth Hardy.
Replacements:  16 Sean Hardman, 17 Salesi Ma'afu, 18 Adam Wallace-Harrison, 19 Julian Salvi, 20 Josh Valentine, 21 Gene Fairbanks, 22 Kurtley Beale.

Japan:  15 Bryce Robins, 14 Kosuke Endo, 13 Yuta Imamura, 12 Koji Taira, 11 Hirotoki Onozawa, 10 Kousei Ono, 9 Yuki Yatomi, 8 Hare Makiri, 7 Takamichi Sasaki (captain), 6 Hajime Kiso, 5 Tsuyoshi Sato, 4 Takanori Kumagae, 3 Ryo Yamamura, 2 Mitsugu Yamamoto, 1 Masahito Yamamoto.
Replacements:  16 Yusuke Aoki, 17 Tomokazu Soma, 18 Hitoshi Ono, 19 Glen Marsh, 20 Koichi Ohigashi, 21 Shotaro Onishi, 22 Go Aruga.

Referee:  James Bolabiu (Fiji)

Samoa edged out in Coffs Harbour

Australia A recorded a second successive IRB Pacific Nations Cup victory by edging out Samoa 27-15 in Coffs Harbour on Saturday.

Australia A led by as much as 17 points in the second half, but had to withstand a Samoan comeback that saw them score two tries in quick succession to bring the deficit back to five points at 20-15.

A final-minute try by Kurtley Beale flattered the home side in a match that was closer than the final scoreline would indicate.

The win means Australia A moves onto nine points for the competition, just one behind the Junior All Blacks, who disposed of Fiji 57-8 earlier on Saturday to maintain a perfect record after two rounds.

Australia A started strongly and built an early buffer on the back of some Samoan ill-discipline, wing Clinton Schifcofske piloting two long-range penalty attempts through the uprights for a six-nil lead after 13 minutes.

But despite dominating the opening stages it wasn't until midway through the half that the Australians would convert pressure into points, Tatafu Polota-Nau touching down for his side's first try off a rolling maul in the 26th minute.

Schifcofske converted for a 13-nil lead.

Samoa hit back with a penalty goal two minutes later to make it 13-3, which was the score into half time.

Just before the break the home side was dealt a blow with Lachie Turner suffering a shoulder injury that would result in him playing no further part in the match.

The injury will be assessed upon arrival in Townsville on Sunday.

The second half began slowly for the Australians with Samoa showing renewed enthusiasm after the break, the visitors upping the tempo in attack.

However their exuberance would come back to haunt them, Australia A replacement Dean Mumm scoring while the Samoans had a player in the sin bin for punching.

Mumm's strike was converted by Schifcofske to give the Australians the upper hand at 20-3.

But Samoa was far from done, hitting back with an unconverted try to prop Justin Va'a in the 58th minute of play.

Lock Kane Thompson then steamrolled his way over the line to set up a grandstand finish, Australia A's lead cut to 20-15 with just over ten minutes of play remaining.

Samoa surged again but were held at bay by the Australia A defence, while a series of skewed lineout throws also hurt the men in blue.

Australia A also lost man of the match Schifcofske to the sin bin for a late hit with three minutes remaining however it would ultimately not prove a hindrance.

In the end the final say went to Australia A, replacement fly-half Kurtley Beale toeing through a dropped ball to score next to the posts in the final minute of the match.

Beale's touchdown was converted by Peter Hewat, taking the final score along to 27-15 in favour of the Australians.

Australia A relocate to Townsville on Sunday to prepare for next week's clash with Japan at Dairy Farmer's Stadium.

"It wasn't a great performance," Australian coach Laurie Fisher told AAP

"We had plenty of ball in the first half and didn't do a whole lot with it.  We were a bit untidy in our work.

"I think we lost the desire to take the ball forward in the second half.

"They came out and put some heat on in the second half and were quite robust.

"We had the chance to have the game really closed out, but we were a little bit headless in the things we did."

The scorers:

For Australia A:
Tries:  Polota-Nau, Mumm, Beale
Cons:  Schifcofske 2, Hewat
Pens:  Schifcofske 2

For Samoa:
Tries:  Justin Va'a, Thompson
Con:  Williams
Pen:  Williams