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| October 24, 2003 | Friday | Sha’aban 27, 1424 |
Five-try Fiji eye last eight slot
TOWNSVILLE (Australia) Oct 23: Two tries each for Aisea Tuilevu and Norman Ligairi inspired Fiji to a 41-13 World Cup pool B victory over Japan on Thursday that kept them in the hunt for a quarterfinal berth.
The two backs both scored once in each half, with replacement Marika Vunibaka scoring the fifth one.
Fiji, crushed 61-18 by France before edging the United States 19-18, turned on the power in the second half after hard-working Japan had held them to a 16-13 lead at halftime.
Fiji coach Mac McCallion’s plan to spark up his troops by the inclusion of sevens specialist Waisale Serevi lasted only 10 minutes as the long-serving flyhalf, who opened the scoring with a third minute penalty, injured a shoulder and was replaced by Nicky Little.
Little was quickly called into action to kick another penalty but a penalty and a 50 metre drop goal for Miller had the teams level at 6-6 after 20 minutes.
Centre Seru Rabeni carved his way through the middle to set up fullback Ligairi for the opening try after 21 minutes. Four minutes later Tuilevu score the try.
Japan regrouped well, their forwards again earning them time and space for Miller to finish off a nice move with a try. The flyhalf converted his own score, giving him a first-half full house as Fiji led 16-13 at the break.
But it was the traditional Fijian methods that made the difference as Tuilevu found space on the right to score his second try in the 55th minute.
Ligairi then produced another piece of magic, kicking and chasing from 30 metres out, scooping the ball up one-handed to get his double. Vunibaka added a fifth try and Little finished the scoring with a penalty.
Tables
(tabulated as played, won, draw, lost, for, against, bonus points and points):
POOL A
Ireland 2 2 0 0 109 24 2 10
Argentina 3 2 0 1 125 41 2 10
Australia 2 2 0 0 114 16 1 9
Namibia 2 0 0 2 21 131 0 0
Romania 3 0 0 3 28 185 0 0
POOL B
France 2 2 0 0 112 47 2 10
Scotland 2 2 0 0 71 26 2 10
Fiji 3 2 0 1 78 92 1 9
United States 2 0 0 2 33 58 1 1
Japan 3 0 0 3 53 124 0 0
POOL C
Samoa 2 2 0 0 106 22 2 10
England 2 2 0 0 109 12 1 9
South Africa 2 1 0 1 78 31 1 5
Uruguay 2 0 0 2 19 132 0 0
Georgia 2 0 0 2 15 130 0 0
POOL D
New Zealand 2 2 0 0 138 13 2 10
Wales 2 2 0 0 68 30 1 9
Italy 3 2 0 1 62 96 0 8
Tonga 2 0 0 2 32 63 1 1
Canada 3 0 0 3 30 128 1 1
—Agencies
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