The Australian Schoolboys secured the Pacific Cup with a convincing 35-10 victory over the Fijian Schoolboys at Viking Park in Canberra this past Saturday. Although the scoreline might imply a one-sided affair, the Fijian team exhibited significant progress compared to their earlier series performances, especially after a challenging defeat in their opener.
The match kicked off with a high level of intensity; however, Fiji faced an immediate challenge as players Nemani Bativou and Asaeli Bulai were sent to the sin bin in quick succession. Australia seized the opportunity with hooker Adrian De’Klerk scoring the first try, successfully converted by Elijah Breen, giving the home team a 7-0 lead.
Undeterred by their numerical disadvantage, Fiji showcased their characteristic resilience, highlighted by a try from loosehead prop Esira Livicala in the 27th minute, bringing the score to 7-5, though they were unable to convert. Australia quickly responded with another try from Glassie just two minutes later, and Breen’s conversion extended the lead to 14-5 as the teams progressed to halftime.
The second half began with Fiji narrowing the gap to 14-10 thanks to a try from fly-half Carter Mucunabitu in the 50th minute. However, Australia’s domination in set-pieces and their disciplined play were pivotal to their success. Lock James Finegan added to the score in the 56th minute, and Glassie sealed the game with two more tries in the final quarter, with Kirsten successfully converting, culminating in the 35-10 victory.
Fiji’s performance was commendable as they demonstrated a fighting spirit throughout, despite the challenges of a late yellow card and multiple sin bin incidents. Key players like Livicala and Mucunabitu shone brightly, indicating their potential and giving hope for future international competitions. The match underscored Fiji’s development and competitive spirit, suggesting that with sustained efforts, they can emerge even stronger in upcoming challenges. This performance marks a hopeful outlook for their aspirations in future tournaments.