Fiji President's beat Aus Schools
On a hot afternoon at Prince Charles Park, Nadi, Fiji, the Fijian president's XV beat the Australian Schools team 18-9 in the opening match of the Australians' five-match tour.
The home side attacked from the start but the Australians scored first when hooker (sic) Tom Wilson goaled a penalty when hooker Jovesa Nataqirivitukalulu was penalised and sin-binned for a high tackle. The home side's flyhalf Akuila Tabualevu levelled the scores to make if 3-all at half-time.
Two tries in the second half to two penalty goals took the score to 15-9 but a penalty at the death made the game safe for the Fijians. It was flank Setareki Koroitamana's try from an intercept and a 75-metre dash early in the half that set up the famous victory.
In the match the bigger Australians dominated line-outs and scrums but the Fijians were heroic on defence.
It is the first time that a Fijian team had beaten the Australian schools since the initial meeting in 2003.
Scorers:
For Fijian President's XV
Tries: Setareki Koroitamana, Jovesa Nataqirivitukalulu
Con: Akuila Tabualevu
Pens: Akuila Tabualevu, Ratucawa Maciu
For Australian Schools:
Pens: Tom Wilson 2, Reece Hodge
Teams:
Fiji President's XV: 15 Sekove Lili, 14 Apenisa Buka, 13 Viliesa Varawa, 12 Moisese Serevakayakavi, 11 Viliame Kikau, 10 Akuila Tabualevu, 9 Adriu Navia, 8 Vincent Fisher (captain), 7 Setareki Koroitamana, 6 Semi Ratucoka, 5 Kemueli Tokalau, 4 Pita Nacagilevu, 3 Atunaisa Rakota, 2 Jovesa Nataqirivitukalulu, 1 Eparama Turaga.
Replacements: 16 Alipate Botabota, 17 Savenaca Komaisavai, 18 Richard Matakiwai, 19 Tevita Kasikasi, 20 Jeremaia Nakete, 21 Kelemedi Lenati, 22 Naibuka Nakavo, 23 Ratucawa Maciu Vocea, 24 Apimeleki Vunaki
Australian Sschools: 15 John Porch, 14 Gareth Kalell, 13 Andrew Robinson., 12 Tepai Moeroa, 11 Andrew Kellaway, 10 Reece Hodge, 9 Andrew Ferris, 8 Lolo Fakaosilea, 7 Brad Wilkin, 6 Adam Korczyk, 5 Jack Cornelsen, 4 Tom Staniforth, 3 Matt Sandell, 2 Tom Wilson (captain), 1 Tomas Robertson.
Replacements: 16 Siotame Kavapalu, 17 Francois Postal, 18 Neori Nadruku, 19 Mitchell Whiteley, 20 Jack Dempsey, 21 Jack Tuttle, 22 Jonah Placid