Fiji bounce back to conquer

Fiji turned around a 3-15 half-time deficit to trounce Japan 30-15 and go briefly second in the Pacific Nations Cup in Lautoka on Saturday.

New-found talent Taniela Rawaqa led the comeback, scoring a try and landing two conversions and two penalties in the win.

Rawaqa kicked the first points with an early penalty, but Japan took advantage of Fiji’s poor communication in defence and finally broke through for a try from lock Luke Thompson.

Full-back Goshi Tachikawa scored the second try for Japan shortly before the break, with Eiji Ando converting, having already added an earlier penalty.

After Rawaqa made it 6-15 at the start of the second half, a number of Fijian substitutions swung the game completely the home team’s way.

Rawaqa converted his own try in the 51st minute, and then two long trademark passing movements culminated in tries for flankers Netani Talei and Akapusi Qera.

Japan’s heads dipped, and Isoa Neivua was left to seal the game in the 76th minute with a 50-metre runaway try, stepping around his opposite Kosuke Endo, with Rawaqa adding the conversion.

The scorers:

For Fiji:
Tries: Rawaqa, Talei, Qera, Neivua
Cons: Rawaqa 2
Pens: Rawaqa 2

For Japan:
Tries: Thompson, Tachikawa
Con: Ando
Pen: Ando