The Fiji Water Flying Fijians wrapped up their European tour with a significant 52-17 loss against Ireland in Dublin. Ireland demonstrated exceptional performance and tactical execution from the very beginning, putting Fiji under pressure.
Fiji’s Jiuta Wainiqolo had an early opportunity to score in the 10th minute but fell short of reaching the try-line. Subsequently, Ireland capitalized on Fiji’s missed chance, with their captain Caelan Doris, along with teammates Josh van der Flier, Craig Casey, and Mack Hansen, scoring tries. This combined effort, supported by successful conversions from debutant flyhalf Sam Prendergast, allowed Ireland to establish a commanding 28-3 lead by halftime, with Fiji’s only points coming from a penalty by Caleb Muntz.
The second half saw Ireland continue their dominance with another try from Hansen, followed by additional scores from Bundee Aki, Gus McCarthy, and Ronan Kelleher. Despite the scoreline, Fiji managed to showcase resilience with tries from Kitione Salawa and promising young player Setareki Turagacoke, along with a conversion from Muntz.
Despite the defeat, this match serves as valuable experience for Fiji, particularly for their younger players like Turagacoke, who are gaining important exposure at the international level. The Flying Fijians will take lessons from this game into their future competitions, reflecting their potential for growth and development in the sport.
Summary: The Fiji Water Flying Fijians concluded their European tour with a disappointing 52-17 loss to Ireland, who showcased a strong performance in Dublin. Despite the defeat, Fiji’s young talents displayed promise, indicating a bright future for the team as they continue to build their experience on the international stage.
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