Queensland holds off Flying Fijians

Mon, Mar 23, 2015, 1:00 AM
AAP
by AAP

The Queensland Under 20s side has defeated Fiji 27-17 in a trial match at the National Under 20s Championship in Canberra on Monday.

Queensland will next take on NSW on Wednesday 25 March at Viking Park with the winner to be crowned National Champions.

Head coach Jason Gilmore was pleased with his side’s victory.

“It was a little bit disappointing. In the first forty minutes we tried to match the Fijians speed and play up tempo, we needed to slow it down a little.

“We were able to do this in the second half but we just scraped home.

“We’ll have a crack. NSW have played well for two convincing wins and have been the form team in the competition.

“Everyone is talking about them a fair bit, so we’ll just fly under the radar and have a crack against them.”

THE MATCH

Queensland started the match well as they maintained territory and possession with flyhalf being able to reap the reward for his side by converting an easy penalty to give Queensland a 3-0 advantage.

Fiji replied soon afterwards through their own kicker, flyhalf Seremaia Turagabeci who brought the scores level to 3-3.

The match continued to be a display of power as both sides attempted to outmuscle each other at the set piece.

Queensland were rewarded for their patience with a try to winger Conrad Quick to give Queensland the lead 8-3.

Two quick tries to Fiji caused concerns for the Queensland defence with Queensland taking the lead 17-8.

Despite Queensland’s best efforts the score remained 17-8 at half time.

Queensland started the second half much stronger and were rewarded for out thinking Fiji at the base of the breakdown with two unanswered tries through Jake Lyon and Lolo Fakaosilea taking the score to 22-17.

A final try to Queensland in the final minutes sealed Fiji’s fate with the score finishing at 27-17 in favour of Queensland.

Share
Test backrow battle looms large ahead of QLD-ACT double header in Brisbane
Super Rugby Pacific 2024 TOTW: Looking at the best Australian performers from Round Five
Force bolster lock stocks with signing of former Wallaby Sam Carter
Winless Crusaders could 'spiral uncontrollably': coach