Army XV beats Fiji

Press, 22 August 1977, Page 17

Army XV beats Fiji

The New Zealand Army rugby team lost most of the battles but won the war when it met the Fijian Services XV at Lancaster Park oval on Saturday. Favoured by a firm pitch and fine weather, the Fijians launched wave upon wave of spectacular attacks, based on their speed of foot and slick handling. They scored three tries, missed a few others through impetuosity. and held the lead for 66 minutes. But in the last 10 minutes. Army was rewarded for its persistence with two tries, both converted, to give it a 15-12 win. The Army team’s coach (Mr Bob Tuhuru) was justifiably proud of his men. “We could have played it tight, but we decided to take them on at their own game,” he said. “I’m very pleased at the way the boys performed.

We were without 11 mem- • bers of the squad we took to ■ the Services’ tournament, which we won, but the re- : cast side came through with flying colours. i “Fijians are difficult foot- ; b- Ilers to play against. I : know — I’ve tried it.” i Apart from some notable success in the second half ■ line-outs, the Fijian forwards gained precious little ball I from either first or secondphase play. But their marked , ability at the swift pick-up ; and the interception kept , them constantly in the play. Their flowing passing and their alert backing-up produced a succession of speci tacular attacks. Army slowly warmed to its task, and in the second half its backs became more ! confident and attacked with vigour and determination. ; An excellent blind-side thrust, in which Geoff

Fairhurst and Alan Chambers played their parts well, ended with Tony Arnold smartly picking an inside gap to score. Then Mark Treweek set up a maul from a tap kick, and Chambers slipped around the fringes to gain the second try. It was the final blow for the Fijians, for less than two minutes remained. The Army forwards dominated the more conventional aspects of the game. Tevor Gilbert was outstanding in the line-outs; Treweek and Rick Kingi were strong on the drive, and John Young’s C'. vering was first class. But the Fijians sparkled in impromptu attacks. Niko Tawayaga, a two-footed sidestepper, made several superb runs from first five-eights and the high-stepping Peni P.okotuibau on the left wing was always difficult to contain.

Kelepi Tokalau, a thickset half-back, was an able marauder and an athletic dive-passer, and he was strongly supported by a flying flanker, Naucabalavu Degei, a younger brother of Fiji’s best-known lock. Sam Naqelevuki, one of three internationals in the side, was constructive in midfield. And it was often disconcerting for the Army defence to find him flanked by the strapping Sakiusa Raivoce, a lock who was Fiji’s best forward in the match.

The Fijians attacked splendidly, but the big overhead torpedo pass let them down every time. For N.Z. Army: Tries by Arnold and Chambers; two conversions by Tawhara; penalty goal by Treweek. For Fijian Services: Tries by Rokotuibau, Tawayaga and Matalau Rokoraite.