FIJI POLICE HAND OUT LESSON AT STOCKLAND STADIUM
The Fiji Police subjected the Australia Police team to a merciless interrogation at Stockland Park yesterday at the Police Rugby League World Cup and a dazed Australia coughed up plenty.
From the start, the Australians’ ball security was woeful under a bustling Fiji defence, and their one-on-one cover a shambles around the ruck edges and flanks allowing in seven long range tries and only just stopping two others.
The end results – a 40-4 capitulation that was torture to watch for the Aussie fans who had seen their police wallop the PNG police by a similar margin two days before.
Fiji, who only went down gamely to New Zealand in their opening game 26-20 in the last five minutes, were as committed and sharp with their feet and ball-work as Australia was listless and ineffective.
The Fijians almost scored off an early Aussie handling error in the opening forays as flying winger Pio Tabua scored his first of three tries after just five minutes.
Australia had taken a while to wear an energetic PNG down on Tuesday night, but once into their stride, their attack was slick and convincing.
Yesterday the Fijians snuffed out any hint of backline movements, forcing the Australians to throw some rushed passes that were gleefully swooped on by the opportunist backs. It was 24-0 at the break and the tide never turned.
The Aussie forwards were subdued except for the odd off-load by prop Nick Paterson and some second-half charges by backrower Corey Kinsela.
Centre Dan Kennedy chased down and stopped a certain runaway try even when all was lost.
Fullback Liam Watson scored for Australia with three minutes left from a chip kick behind the line. (Source: Sunshine Coast Daily)
