The FIJI Water Flying Fijians concluded their European tour with a significant 52-17 loss to Ireland in Dublin. The match saw the Irish team displaying a dominant performance from the outset, applying pressure and showcasing their skills effectively.
Fiji made an early attempt to score with wing Jiuta Wainiqolo coming close to the try-line in the 10th minute, but ultimately fell short. This missed opportunity allowed Ireland to capitalize quickly, as they secured tries from Captain Caelan Doris, Josh van der Flier, Craig Casey, and Mack Hansen. In the first half, debutant flyhalf Sam Prendergast successfully converted these opportunities, leading Ireland to a commanding 28-3 lead at halftime, with Fiji only able to respond through a penalty from Caleb Muntz.
The second half continued to favor Ireland, with Hansen scoring another try, along with additional touchdowns from Bundee Aki, Gus McCarthy, and Ronan Kelleher. Fiji managed to score two tries through Kitione Salawa and promising young talent Setareki Turagacoke, with Muntz converting both.
For Fiji fans, while the result may be disappointing, the emergence of young players like Turagacoke provides hope for the future. The team can build on these experiences, and with continued development, they have the potential to grow stronger in upcoming competitions.
Both teams showed resilience and skill, indicating that there are bright prospects ahead for the Flying Fijians as they continue to compete on the international stage.
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