Fiji face the USA in the first match of the Pool D, and we’re covering the game with the Who, What, Where, When and How of the big game which.
The 2017 Rugby League World Cup is a big deal for us, being huge rugby league fans and love a minnow or two, and we’ll be covering all of the games throughout.
So visit our 2017 RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP MATCH CENTRE
Now onto the Fiji v USA game.
FIJI v USA MATCH REVIEW
RESULT – Who Won?
FIJI 58 (T.Milne (3), K. Naiqama (7), T. Milne (11), A. Uate (14), K. Evans (17), K. Naiqama (30), S. Vunivalu (35), J. Hayne (46), V. Kikau (60), S. Vunivalu (64), H. Raiwalui (66) tries A. Koroisau 5, T. Milne 2 goals)
USA 12 (M. Shipway (21), J. Vaivai (72) tries B. Faraimo 2 Goals)
How Did They Win?
Once again the favourites going into 2017 Rugby League World Cup game were way too strong, and got off to a strong too which blew the USA Tomahawks away, leading 26-0 before the 20 minute mark and before the US got on the board.
It didn’t take long for Fiji to take control of the game as they scored in the third minute after the USA’s only touch was a spilt bomb, they spread from left to right and Taane Milne scored after a nice offload from Vanivalu. Taane Milne was involved in the next two tries, Milne scoring the second of the two in the 11th minute and provided a neat grubber for fullback Kevin Naiqama for the team’s second.
Six minutes later Fiji had two more tries on the board through Akuila Uate and Kae Evans whose speed and power were too much for the USA, with Jarryd Hayne supplying the last pass on both occasions.
One positive for the USA is they scored the most points of any side beaten up until Saturday evening, and they got the first of those in the 21st minute as Matt Shipway put on some smooth moves to get around 5 Fijian defenders from 20 metres out to score on the back of their first penalty. It the USA’s first voyage into their attacking 20m zone.
Fiji blew two more golden chance to extend the lead with a drop ball and a loose foot on the sideline costing them more four pointers. Captain Kevin Naiqama out that right by scooting over from Dummy Half in the 30th minute, and try scoring machine Suliasi Vanivalu crossed before half time with a 50m special from dummy half too to give Fiji a 38-6 lead at the break.
It didn’t take long for Fiji to get back to try scoring ways after the break, and Uate carved up again up the middle and found Hayne who turned into recipient instead of provider for a change.
The USA were a lot more compeditive in the second half as errors from Fiji gave the Tomahawks a lot more ball and territory than the first half. USA’s own errors cost them from posting more points other than a 72nd minute try to Vaivai.
Fiji racked up three tries in six minutes from the 60th minute as Kikau , Vunivalu, and Raiwalui all crossed for four pointers.
What did we learn?
With all the talk of Samoa as dark horses, some may have forgotten Fiji as a potential fly in the ointment for the big teams. Any side with an in-form Jarryd Hayne will always be compeditive. And they have a forward pack to match of better any of the Pacific Island nations.
They should top Pool D on the form against the USA, and a date with the runner up of Pool B awaits. Either New Zealand, Tonga and Samoa.
Jarryd Hayne also gave a good insight about how useful he could be at number 6 for the Titans. If he can be arsed. Perhaps the Gold Coast Titans could come up with a pre-game ritual to get him into the mood.
What was the Moment of the Match?
The first 20 minutes, it was a real demonstration of great rugby league from the Fijians, with 5 tries scored at an almost regular 3 minute intervals. The game was over by then, but the football was great to watch.
And the pre game vocals from Fiji.
Any other bits and pieces?
- How good is the Fijian vocals before the game. A less violent way of getting into the game ahead, but no less effective, and different. Perhaps each NRL club could come up with a pre-game ritual.
- Some sweet play from Fiji for the second try.
- Injury to Kane Evans was a shame Fiji, straight after scoring his try too.
- Akuila Uate has a vast try scoring career in his representative career – playing and scoring for Australia, Fiji, Australian PM XIII, NSW, NSW Country, and NRL All Stars.
- Completion rates were great up to 25th minute with just an error per side. The errors picked up after that as no doubt the Townsville heat started to kick in.
- Viliame Kikau showed his skills and power, if only someone could harness that for the NRL.
THE DOWLING-TAMATI #RLWC2017 PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT
We’ve decided that a tournament as big as the 2017 Rugby League World Cup needs a Player of the tournament, and who better than International relations specialists Kevin Tamati and Greg Dowling to name our award.
We award points on a 5-4-3-2-1 scale every match, and the results for this game is below. For the running total from all of the games visit our 2017 RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP MATCH CENTRE
5 POINTS – JARRYD HAYNE – Ran the show and proved he can play decent rugby league in 2017.
4 POINTS – AKUILA UATE – Was dangerous with the ball throughout in an impressive session in the centres for Fiji.
3 POINTS – TAANE MILNE – Was involved in everything early and decent contributions throughout.
2 POINTS – VILIAME KIKAU – Game high 159m metres gained and scored a try and provided the impetus for Fiji’s last.
1 POINT – TUI KAMIKAMICA – Big man, and big impact. Modern day Petero Civoniceva?
MATCH PREVIEW
Who: Fiji v USA
Where and When: Saturday 28th Oct, Townsville
When is it on TV? LIVE Channel 7Mate @ 7:30pm
What’s the Story?
Fiji have gone under the radar a little for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup chances. But any side with Jarryd Hayne has the tools to win and win big. if he feels like it. It didn’t happen often with the Titans, but perhaps a Fiji jersey will light the fire.
Fiji lost both trial games against PNG (10-0) and Australia (18-0) a few weeks ago, but looked they particularly good against PNG at times but suffered from errors.
There’s not many names regular rugby league fans will know in the US line up, but that is the beauty of the 2017 Rugby League World Cup, getting to know new teams and players. Possibly unveiling a future superstar.
The good thing with the US team is the amount of home grown players taken from their US based competition. They also have a few players from the Toronto Wolfpack, a team that the US wish to emulate with a New York based franchise in the near future. A step closer to that will be putting on a massive show at this year’s World Cup to generate some local interest.
Who Will Win and Why?
Has to be Fiji, and probably by a lot, as the USA don’t have near enough weapons like the ones at the Fijians disposal,.
Jarryd Hayne is the big name, and it won’t hurt him to have a big game, but talking of hurt, it is the Fiji pack that impresses the most. Featuring some big men, they have the luxury of naming someone with power of Korbin Sims in the second row. It is hard to see the USA keeping up the big Fijian pack.
Fiji by 26.
Who to watch for?
Viliame Kikau and Tui Kamikamica
Two big Fijian forwards who may not be as well known as others in the sides, but both have been fantastic performers for their respective Intrust Super teams. Kikau was especially good in the NRL State Championship, and will hopefully enjoy playing on the big stage again.
TEAMS
Who’s in the Teams?
FIJI
- Kevin Naiqama 2. Suliasi Vunivalu 3. Taane Milne 4. Akuila Uate 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Jarryd Hayne 7. Henry Raiwalui 8. Ashton Sims 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Kane Evans 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Korbin Sims 13. Tui Kamikamica 14. Joe Lovouda 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Eloni Vunakece 17. Petero Benjamin Nakubuwai 18. Brayden Williame 19. James Storer 20. Junior Roqica 21. Pio Seci
USA
- Corey Makelim 2. Ryan Burroughs 3. Junior Vaivai 4. Jonathan Alley 5. Bureta Faraimo 6. Kristian Freed 7. Matthew Walsh 8. Eddy Pettybourne 9. David Marando 10. Mark Offerdahl (c) 11. Danny Howard 12. Matt Shipway 13. Nicholas Newlin 14. Sam Tochterman-Talbott 15. Andrew Kneilsy 16. Steve Howard 17. Gabriel Farley 18. Charles Joseph Cortelano 19. Joe Eichner 20. David Ulch 21. Joshua Rice
NOTE: the D in compeditive is on purpose and is a traditional MCC spelling.
