First-half blitz enough for the Welsh
Four first-half tries were enough to see Wales home to a 38-20 victory over the Pacific Islanders at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday, but this error-ridden game never quite lived up to its billing.
Before play started at the Millennium Stadium both captains laid wreaths as a sign of respect for Remembrance Day, but sadly this game fizzled out and will not live long in the memory for either side.
The Pacific Islanders set their stall out from the first minute, opting to run from deep inside their own territory in true island style but rarely made inroads. Wales in contrast played with composure and showed glimpses of the flair their opponents were looking for. Four tries in the first half for the Welsh, when the Islanders looked rusty, was enough to secure the win that was expected from them. The disappointment was their failure to build on a strong position in the second half.
It was evident in the early exchanges that the Pacific Islanders had only been together for a week, but as the game progressed they started to find their rhythm and began to cause Wales problems with their pace and width. If they are to be taken seriously as a side then they need to be given the time together to prepare for fixtures, for partnerships to gel and for an understanding to develop.
That said they were the architects of their own downfall in the first half when they played in the wrong areas and gave Wales two tries under the posts with easy intercepts.
Sweeney, controversially handed the kicking duties ahead of James Hook, set Wales on their way with a simple fourth minute penalty after the impressive Seru Rabeni hit Hook late and high.
They continued to exploit the Islanders lack of organisation after quick phase ball was moved wide to Mark Jones who finished superbly. Faced with fifty meters and two defenders between himself and the line he stood up Latu before scorching down the line to score in the corner. Sweeney added a tricky conversion from the touchline.
Looking to play with too much width from every possible chance, the Islanders increasingly began to turn over possession to Wales, who, marshalled by Mike Phillips and Ceri Sweeney, controlled play astutely.
To play Test rugby at this level you need to play yourself into the game, a concept that escaped the Pacific Islanders, as they coughed up two intercept tries to Hook and Lee Byrne respectively, trying to live up to their reputation of a free-running side.
Sandwiched in between those two gifts Sonny Parker showed Wales what they have been missing of late with a searing break into the Islanders' 22 before sending Kevin Morgan in by the posts.
For all the flair and pace the Islanders boasted it was the power and muscle of their physical forwards that yielded their opening score, Justin Va'a crashing over in the corner after a smart line out move.
Half-time was a welcome relief for a tired looking Islanders side, who for all their endeavour were failing to live up to their billing. They were hardly helped by the lack of possession from set piece, as Sidoli and Owen pulled their line-out to pieces.
Whether Wales realised they had the game wrapped up, or the Islanders began to find their form, the second half was a different story. For starters the Islanders outscored Wales, and on top of that they looked to be the more lively side and were rewarded for their persistent adventure with tries from Seilala Mapasua and Kameli Ratuvou.
Wales did find their form briefly in the second half, scoring the try of the game through Ceri Sweeney. The move started deep inside their own 22 from another turnover. Alix Popham read the situation well feeding Sonny Parker on the inside to inject pace into the move. Mark Jones was in support and would have scored himself but for a superb last ditch tackle. As it was Ceri Sweeney was on hand to cap a fine move, one their opponents would have been proud of.
Both sides will be able to take enough positives from the game to be happy, although neither side found the form they would have been looking for in a game that ultimately was won and lost by half-time.
Man of the Match: For the Pacific Islanders captain Simon Raiwalui never gave up and was always on hand to lead the way, along with the impressive Nili Latu. For Wales Kevin Morgan again showed his true class and Mike Phillips was busy at scrum half. But back in the side for the first time in a year Sonny Parker was often the key in defence and attack.
Moment of the Match: The two moments that stood out were the intercept tries scored in the first half. Had it not been for them the Islanders may have been in touch going into half time, as it was they gifted Wales fourteen points and the game.
Villain of the Match: None -- all good clean family fun.
The scorers:
For Wales:
Tries: M Jones, Hook, Morgan, Byrne, Sweeney
Cons: Sweeney 5
Pen: Sweney
For the Pacific Islanders:
Tries: Va'a, Mapasua, Ratuvou
Con: Pisi
Pen: Pisi
Wales: 15 Kevin Morgan, 14 Lee Byrne, 13 Sonny Parker, 12 James Hook, 11 Mark Jones, 10 Ceri Sweeney, 9 Mike Phillips, 8 Alix Popham, 7 Gavin Thomas, 6 Alun Wyn Jones, 5 Robert Sidoli, 4 Michael Owen, 3 Chris Horsman, 2 Rhys Thomas, 1 Duncan Jones (c).
Replacements: 16 Huw Bennett, 17 Adam Jones, 18 Gethin Jenkins, 19 Jonathan Thomas, 20 Gareth Cooper, 21 Gavin Evans, 22 Shane Williams.
Pacific Islanders: 15 Norman Ligairi, 14 Lome Fa'atau, 13 Seru Rabeni, 12 Seilala Mapasua, 11 Sailosi Tagicakibau, 10 Tusi Pisi, 9 Moses Rauluni, 8 Hale T-Pole, 7 Semo Sititi, 6 Nili Latu, 5 Daniel Leo, 4 Simon Raiwalui (c), 3 Tevita Taumoepeau, 2 Mahonri Schwalger, 1 Justin Va'a.
Replacements: 16 Aleki Lutui, 17 Census Johnson, 18 Ma'ama Molitika, 19 Epi Taione, 20 Junior Poluleuligaga, 21 Seremaiai Bai, 22 Kameli Ratuvou.
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
Touch judges: Donal Courtney (Ireland), Rob Debney (England)
Television match official: George Clancy (Ireland)
Assessor: Dick Byres (Australia)
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