Rugby League World Cup: Fiji 32 - 14 Ireland

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Rugby League World Cup
Fiji v Ireland

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A sell-out crowd of 8,872 at Spotland, including what seemed like the whole of Rochdale's sizeable Fijiian community, saw a dominant Fiji pack outmuscle Ireland to score a resounding vcitory in their opening Rugby League World Cup Group A fixture.

Outnumbered in the stands, out sung by the Fijian fans and out-gunned on the field, the Irish were still smiling but it was the Fijians who were dancing at the end of the game as Winger Akuila Uate scored three tries to put Fiji, a semi finalist in 2008, on course for the quarter finals.

Fiji tore into the Irish from the kick-off; the physical onslaught led by the Sims brothers, who laid the foundation for the backs to show their pace and class.

Uate opened the scoring after just nine minutes, collecting Kevin Naiqama's pass to slide over in the corner.

Full-back Naiqama added the second when he powered through a weak Irish tackle. His brother, Wes Naiqama, converted to extend the lead to 10-0.

A short period of Irish pressure was rewarded when Tyrone McCarthy dived over in the corner to make it 10-4.

Fiji's powerful, fast rugby was slightly marred by their persisitent indiscipline, which was the cause of a couple of flare ups before Eloni Vunakece was finally punished and sin-binned for a high tackle.

A Wes Naiqama penalty extended Fiji's lead to 12-4 on the stroke of half-time; a score line that flattered the Irish such was the Fijian dominance in the first half.

The second half began as the first with the Fijians outmuscling the Irish, and it didn't take long before the Fijian pressure told and second rower Tariq Sims went over for a third Fiji try after Grix had failed to take Aaron Groom’s high kick.

The game was over as a contest when Uate went over for his second try, quickly followed by Korbin Sims who was first to a high ball to touch down.

The Pacific Islanders were running away with the game when Uate completed his hat-trick in style, bouncing four tired and bewildered Irish defenders to reach the line. Naiqama took his goal tally to four from seven attempts.

Ireland did manage two consolation tries very late in the game through Damien Blanch and James Hasson. Pat Richards added a goal, but it was far too little, too late and Ireland now need a miracle to progress to the knock out stages.

With Australia next up, Fiji face far tougher opposition in the tournament favourites, but the Fijian display will have sent out a message to both England and Australia that they will be no pushovers.

Fiji: K. Naiqama, Koroibete, Waqa, W. Naiqama, Uate, Noilea, Groom, A. Sims, Storer, Civoniceva, T. Sims, Bukuya, K. Sims.
Replacements: Koroisau, Vunakece, Evans, Junior.

Ireland: Grix, Blanch, Littler, Pewhairangi, Richards, Mendeika, Finn, White, Kostjasyn, O'Carroll, McCarthy, Allen, Currie.
Replacements: Beswick, Hasson, Haggerty, Mullally.

Referee: Phil Bentham (England)