Bravely fought

Fiji cruises to 67-18 win

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Posted: Friday October 01, 1999 06:17 PM

Deon Mouton (right) tries to catch Waisale Serevi, of Fiji, during their World Cup rugby match Friday. AP

BEZIERS, France (CNN/SI) -- In the second match of the opening day of the Rugby World Cup Fiji routed Namibia 67-18. It was a harsh baptism as the Pacific Islanders scored nine tries to the newcomers two.

Namibia did manage to score first but once the Fijian attack got started, there was no halting the onslaught.

The African team, 1,000-1 outsiders to lift the William Webb Ellis trophy, faced relentless Fijian pressure and trailed by 43-6 in the Group C match at the break.

But it fought back bravely in the second half, scoring two tries to avert an embarrassment.

The 17,600-capacity Stade de la Mediterranee was less than three-quarters full but there was no shortage of emotion among the players, with tears flowing down Fiji captain Greg Smith's face as his country's national anthem was played.

Namibia, which ousted Cote D'Ivoire, Tunisia and Zimbabwe to qualify for the finals, took only six minutes to score its first ever World Cup point, when fullback Leandre Van Dyk kicked a 25-yard (meter) penalty to earn a 3-0 lead.

But within two minutes Fiji began to take charge, winger Fero Lasagavibau taking a pass from Viliame Satala to cross for an easy try.

Fiji, expected to battle for second place with Canada in Group C, quickly began to demonstrate the attractive passing style that makes it a world leader at sevens rugby.

It scored six tries in the first half.

The best came in the 15th minute, when Imanueli Tikomaimakogai capped a seven-pass move to cross the line in the corner.

Namibia let its inexperience show in the 25th minute, allowing Emori Katalau to win a lineout three meters (yards) from the line and charge over the line.

Ifereimi Tawake, Viliame Satala and Fero Lasagavibau also crossed the line in the first half for Fiji.

Alivereti Mocelutu, Smith and Jacob Rauluni scored tries for Fiji in the second period.

Fiji flyhalf Waisale Serevi got plenty of kicking practice with eight conversions and two penalties.

Namibia scored consolation tries in the second half from Heino Senekal and Mario Jacobs, with Van Dyk converting twice.

But the biggest cheer of the night came when Riaan Jantjies, at five feet (1.52 meters) the smallest player in the World Cup, brought Smith down with a thunderous tackle near the end.

Fiji

Namibia

 

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.