Fiji v Italy kicked off the final round of Pool games of the 2017 Rugby League World Cup, and Fiji maintained their unbeaten run, but were pushed hard by the Italians before booking their appointment with Quarter finals
We’re covering the game with the Who, What, Where, When and How of the big game which unfortunately is almost academic given Fiji’s two massive wins so far, and Italy’s 1-1 record.
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 Italy game.
FIJI V ITALY MATCH REVIEW
RESULT – Who Won?
FIJI 38
Tries: K. Naiqama (28), H. Raiwalui (40), B. Wiliame (54), S. Vunivalu (60), S. Vunivalu (63), S. Vunivalu (68), M. Montoya (75)
Goals: A. Koroisau 3 Conv, T. Milne 2 Conv
ITALY 10
Tries: J. Mantellato (20), N. Milone (43)
Goals:
What did we learn?
That Italy found a way to keep Fiji quiet for just over half a game, and then Fiji’s stars took over and blew out the scoreline. Italy trailed by just 2 points until Williame scored in the 53rd minute after Milone scored the second Azzuri try in the 43rd minute.
That the Italian hooker was a big fan of Jarryd Hayne after they had to be separated after being given 10 minutes in the sin bin.
Fiji can win without Hayne doing everything.
Vanivalu is one of the game’s best wingers.
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 – Suliasi Vunivalu
4 POINTS – Viliame Kikau
3 POINTS – Tui Kamikamica
2 POINTS – Daniel Alvaro
1 POINT – Marcelo Montoya
FIJI V ITALY MATCH PREVIEW
Who: FIJI v ITALY
Where and When: LIVE Friday 10 Nov – Canberra
When is it on TV? Channel 7Mate @ 7:40pm/6:40pm
What’s the Story?
It’s a Pool D showdown of sorts in Canberra, as Italy are mathematically still capable of knocking Fiji out of the 2017 Rugby League World Cup, but few could argue that the Azzuri deserve to go the Quarter Finals in the place of Fiji. As it is the Italians will need to win by a minimum of 46 points, and although that it precisely what they did last weekend against the USA, this Fiji side have been in sensational form.
Indeed, we would go as far to say that Fiji have almost been the most impressive team so far at the 2017 Rugby League World Cup. Sure, they have only beaten minnows of USA and Wales, but their 130-18 for an against says they have been dominant, and in patches some of the very best attacking rugby league shown at this tournament. There’s not many weak links in this Fijian side, a super backline being led by an in form and interested Jarryd Hayne, and some big units in the forward pack.
Italy bounced back against the USA last weekend with a good 46-0 win, but will regret their attitude and application against the Irish in week 1, as a win there would have put so much more pressure on the Fijians this Friday night in Canberra.
Who Will Win and Why?
Fiji have been super impressive so far in this World Cup, and have way too much firepower for the Italians. Italy do have first class NRL start like James Tedesco and Nathan Brown, but they don’t have quality coverage all over the park like Fijians.
Fiji by 20
Who to watch for?
Hard to pick who to watch from Fiji. Just about every time we offer up Viliame Kikau, and so far he hasn’t disappointed, and then there’s another of our favourites Tui Kamikamica. We predict both may become names you know in 2018.
Obviously there’s Jarryd Hayne, but he’s hard to not to keep an eye on, as is James Tedesco on the Italian side.
The Italian Joseph Tramontana has a big game against the USA, and will be worth watching to see if the Bulldogs product can produce another star performance. There is a new coach to impress at Canterbury.
And Terry Campese if he makes the field this week.
TEAMS
Who’s in the Teams?
FIJI
1 Kevin Naiqama (c) 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 Eloni Vunakece 11 Viliame Kikau 12 Brayden Wiliame 13 Tui Kamikamica 14 Joe Lovodua 15 Jacob Saifiti 16 Junior Roqica 17 Petero Benjamin Nakubuwai 18 James Storer 19 Salesi Faingaa 20 Sitiveni Moceidreke 21 Pio Sokobalavu
ITALY
1 James Tedesco 2 Mason Cerruto 3 Justin Castellaro 4 Nathan Milone 5 Josh Mantellato 6 Terry Campese 7 Ryan Ghietti 8 Paul Vaughan 9 Joseph Tramontana 10 Daniel Alvaro 11 Jayden Walker 12 Mark Minichiello (c) 13 Nathan Brown 15 Brendan Santi 16 Shannon Wakeman 17 Joel Riethmuller 18 Christophe Calegari 19 Gavin Hiscox 20 Richard Lepori 21 Colin Wilkie 22 Mirco Bergamasco
MATCH REVIEW
Coming soon.
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
Points coming after the match.
