Australia thrash Fiji Schoolboys in Canberra

By Rohit Deo

Australia thrash Fiji Schoolboys in Canberra

The Fijian Schoolboys lit up Canberra with their fearless running rugby but were eventually overpowered 61-26 by a clinical Australian Schoolboys outfit in the first of their two-match series.

Fiji made a dream start, refusing to kick and backing their trademark offload game from deep.

Jone Kunaqio finished a stunning 95-metre team try, leaving the Australians scrambling, before Sailosi Taka restored the lead minutes later after a powerful run from winger Ratu Vonolagi.

Their first kick of the match, a chip from inside their own 22, typified Fiji's ambition but led to an unfortunate head clash that forced Aussie centre Josh Barr from the field.

However, the high-risk approach began to cost Fiji.

A loose pass on their goal-line gifted Australia's William Trostel an easy try, and a series of penalties reduced the visitors to 14 men. From there, Australia took control through their scrum and forward pack, with James Finegan scoring twice before halftime for a 26-14 lead to the home side.

Fiji kept fighting, with Vonolagi producing a spectacular escape from his own in-goal, but another loose offload handed Keegan Daly a try that swung momentum fully to the home side.

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