Australia have defeated Fiji 32-24 in their Oceania U20s Championship match at Bond University on Tuesday night, but it was a performance that was far from convincing.
The young Aussies only scored four tries to three and were never able to exert any sort of authority over the Fijians who would have been a hell of a lot closer had they kicked their penalty goals throughout the match.
The Fijians actually led 3-0 early and closed things up to 15-10 with about 25 minutes left on the clock but the Aussies were able to negotiate the final minutes and get the victory.
Head coach Simon Cron would not have been happy with the way his team went about their work and much needs to be done before the Aussies take on the re-hot New Zealand side on Saturday in the final match of these championships.
The Aussie lineout was fragile early and they never really got in flow in attack with passes going behind the man constantly and defence not as solid as you would expect at this level.
RESULT
Australia 32
Tries: Maafu 2, Hewat, Strang
Cons: Nucifora 3
Pens: Nucifora 1
Fiji 24
Tries: 3
Cons: 3
Pens: 1
TEAM
Australian Under 20s team to play Fiji from 3pm, Bond University
1. Harry Johnson-Holmes, NSW Gen Blue U20s
2. Efi Maafu, Queensland U20s
3. Harry Chapman, NSW Gen Blue U20s
4. Lachlan Swinton, NSW Gen Blue U20s
5. Darcy Swain, Brumbies U20s
6. Angus Scott-Young (vc), Queensland U20s
7. Angus Allen, Brumbies U20s
8. Reece Hewat (c), Queensland U20s
9. Harry Nucifora, Queensland U20s
10. Nick Jooste (vc), Brumbies U20s
11. Jayden Ngamanu, Queensland U20s
12. Tony Hunt, Queensland U20s
13. Dylan Riley, Queensland U20s
14. Clay Uyen, Western Force U20s
15. Semisi Tupou, Melbourne Rebels U20s
Reserves
16. Sama Malolo, Western Force U20s
17. David Puchert, Port Macquarie Pirates
18. Vaauli Faamausili, Melbourne Rebels U20s
19. Angus Blyth, Queensland U20s
20.Liam Wright, Queensland U20s
21. Ryan Lonergan, Brumbies U20s
22. Theo Strang, NSW Gen Blue U20s
23. Len Ikatau, Brumbies U20s
