The Game
Prior to kick-off it was patently obvious that the Fijians were the bigger of the two packs across the whole of both line-ups. Admittedly I didn't know much about the Fijian team prior to tonight's game, however I did find it quite interesting that NZ chose not to run out (what I believe is) their first string team. Furthermore, of those who did take the field some were not playing in what I understood to be their normal and favoured positions. Given that this was a test match, for me it showed a complete lack of respect for the Fijians and ultimately New Zealand has now paid the price for its mistake.
1st Half
The 1st half started ominously for New Zealand and it was all them for the first 10 minutes of the game. Admittedly NZ were assisted by repeat infringements from Fiji at the breakdown. The first try of the game came during this period of play via a NZ scrum on the Fijian 20m line. From the put-in the ball went through the backs, and sweeping around off the back of the scrum was the speedy 8. Ioane, who then linked up with the outside centre, to accept the pass and then barge his way over the try line. The conversion from 10. Gatland was successful and it was NZ 7 - Fiji 0. This was obviously all the motivation Fiji needed because from the restart it was virtually all Fiji until the end of the half.
During this period the Fijians absolutely dominated their New Zealand counterparts. They just harassed and outmuscled NZ in both attack and defence, especially in defence where the Fijians were always quickly up and in the faces of the New Zealanders, creating pressure which ultimately forced errors. It was a NZ error that lead to Fiji's first try when Fiji’s lightning quick 2. Sivo made a break 10m inside the New Zealand half on the right-hand flank, running near 30m to link up with 11. Nakailagi, putting the latter in for a try. Not long after Fiji had a scrum on New Zealand's 20m line, where off the back of the scrum 8. Laganikoro scooped up the ball and ran the distance to cross the line for Fiji's second try. Regrettably Fiji was unable to convert both tries, and with just under 10 minutes left on the clock it was Fiji 10 - NZ 7.
In the last minutes of the first Half Fiji's lack of discipline at the breakdown again prove costly and gave NZ some much-needed possession and field position. Fortunately for NZ they were able to convert this into points, where on the back of some good forward play 7. Karpik was able to cross the line for New Zealand's second try. The conversion from 10. Gatland was successful and it was NZ 14 - Fiji 10 with only minutes left on the clock. In the last minutes of the half NZ 8. Ioane was yellow carded for body slamming a Fijian lock in a tackle. Like his teammates Ioane had become very frustrated with the spirited ‘in your face’ approach of the Fijians. At oranges there was a sniff of an upset in the air and didn't the mainly Fijian crowd know it!
Second Half
The 2nd half started like the first one ended; all Fiji! Admittedly they were still giving silly penalties away for infringements at the breakdown which was constantly letting New Zealand back into the game. Nonetheless 8. Ioane still in the sin-bin for NZ Fiji were able to convert pressure into points with 4. Boletawa crossing the line for a great try off the back of some very good lead up play. The conversion was unsuccessful but Fiji took the lead for the first time in the game with 15 – 14 on the scoreboard. By this time the parochial Fijian crowd (of a few hundred people) was going absolutely nuts and their boys were feeding off this fervour. No matter what NZ did the Fijians were able to counter.
Unlike the Fijian back line the NZ backs were unable to generate any real flow. Quite often passes were pushed (which I will attribute to good Fijian defence - though I did question the offside on occasion) but more often than not the NZ outside backs seemed to overrun the ball that always seemed to be coming excruciatingly slow from their halves. With approximately 15 to 20 minutes to go NZ introduced wholesale (and much-needed) changes off the bench; and positionally on the field. These changes were what the doctor ordered and gradually NZ were able to work themself back into the game. These changes coupled with some Fijian ill-discipline gifted NZ two easy penalty goals to take the lead 20 – 15 with less than 10 minutes left on the clock.
NZ had a perfect opportunity to close out the game but butchered a certain try with more ill-timed passing. Then with just over a minute on the clock it seemed that New Zealand would hang onto an undeserved victory, however someone forgot to tell the Fijians because with one last surge 12. Kikau made a scintillating break just inside New Zealand's half to go the distance under the posts. The try was converted and merry mayhem was unleashed in the grandstand and around the ground; Fiji 22 - NZ 20, what and historic victory!
Set Pieces
Line-outs
Both teams had some very tall timber in their line-outs, however the Fijian locks were physically larger in build. Given this aspect I had expected the NZ boys to be more agile in the air but this was not the case because the Fijians were more than equal to the task; in fact they dominated this set piece in my opinion. Admittedly I do have some lingering questions about Fiji's offside play at the lineout because they were always readily able to pressure the NZ halves off each NZ win from a NZ throw-in.
Scrums
The scrums were quite even and I cannot recall either team losing a scrum on their own feed.
Best On-field
New Zealand
All in all NZ was clearly outmuscled by a more determined and physically bigger and motivated Fijian team. For NZ 8. Ioane and 7. Karpik never stopped working and had good impact in both attack and defence. Each also scored a try. 4. Lane and 5. Goodhue were always in thick of the action but lacked physical size to make any real impact. Finally, though there wasn't really enough time to tell, NZ did seem to make some inroads when 21. Levian (Scrum-Half) and 22. Apa (wing) came on as replacements, and 11. McNicol moved into full-back role. For mine these players should have been in the starting line-up (and their preferred position) given that it was an international test!
Fiji
For the Fijians 1. Vasukilulu was absolutely outstanding. He trucked the ball up all night long for the Fijians and gave the NZ boys no end of headaches. He led by example and was a crowd favourite everytime got the ball. He also likes to engage the opposition in conversation at scrum time. Australia will really need to watch this player (hell Australia will need to watch the whole lot of them). In addition to the prop was 12. Kikau. This man mountain was undeniably devastating in both attack and defence and I am so looking forward to his matchup against Moeroa. He will be a handful and a half! 8. Laganikoro also did some great things. The locks were always in the thick of it as too were their crafty halves who managed to strip ample ball away from many a NZ attacker. TBH all of their boys played extremely well!
because, according to the programme, they have only played twice before, surprising!