New Zealand Maori’s claim Pacific Nations Cup
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The New Zealand Maori team claimed the Pacific Nations Cup after a 21-18 win over Australia A yesterday. Australia A almost clinched a penalty in the final minutes but a Mark Gerrard conversion attempt fell just below the crossbar. A draw would have provided Australia A with the Pacific Nations Cup as they received two more bonus points through the earlier four rounds. The New Zealand Maori’s clinched victory just prior with a try to Thomas Waldrom just three minutes from the final siren.
In other games Samoa defeated Japan 37-31 in Apia and Tonga claimed their first victory of the tournament with a 27-16 win over Fiji in Nuku’alofa.
The New Zealand Maori finished on 21 pts, Australia A 20 pts, Samoa 10 pts, Fiji 10 pts, Japan 7 pts and Tonga 5 pts.
Pacific Nations Cup Round 4
Round 4 of the Pacific Nations Cup took place on the weekend with only two teams remaining unbeaten after the weekend the Australia A side and the New Zealand Maori’s.
Australia A triumphed easily over the Fijian side 50-13 in Brisbane. Australia had too much experience and firepower for the Fijians. Samoa were too good for Tonga winning 20-15 and the New Zealand Maori blasted Japan off the park 65-22. The Cup will be decided with the blockbuster match between Australia A and New Zealand Maori on the 6th July in Sydney.
Pacific Nations Cup Round 3
The third round of the Pacific Nations Cup was played on the weekend with Australia A smashing Tonga 90-7. Fiji defeating Japan 24-12 in Tokyo and the New Zealand Maori’s trimphing 17-6 over Samoa.
Australia A were dynamic with Stephen Hoiles scoring 4 and Drew Mitchell 3 tries respectively in a 14 try effort by the team against a lacklustre Tongan side. All eyes were on Timana Tahu who delivered a solid performance at inside centre to push his claims for a spot on the Wallabies bench. Fiji came from behind to beat Japan 24-12 in Tokyo. Fiji were down 9-3 at half time but dug deep to score three converted tries in the second half to beat a tenacious Japan. In the other encounter the New Zealand Maori’s ground out a hard fought win 17-6 over a spirited Samoan team.
Australia A and New Zealand Maori’s are the only undefeated team while Fiji with two and Japan with one win represent the other teams who have registered victory.
Match Fitness key for 2008 Wallabies
Robbie Deans has continued on his policy of releasing players to play in club rugby to maintain match fitness and also to help build the local club competitions. This is something the Wallabies have not done in recent years as they have preferred to remain bunkered down in Coffs Harbour in between internationals.
Phil Waugh, Ryan Cross, Al Baxter, Adam Freier, Adam Ashley-Cooper and Dean Mumm will all take their places in the local Sydney competition, the Shute Shield. Sam Cordingley will take his place for Brothers in the Queensland Rugby competition.
The Australia A team to play Tonga this weekend has also been named. The side has included a number of players who are part of the 30 man Wallaby squad. The full Australia A side is;
Lachlan Turner, Matt Carraro, Morgan Turinui, Timana Tahu, Digby Ioane, Sam Norton-Knight, Brett Sheehan, Stephen Hoiles, Richard Brown, Hugh McMeniman, Peter Kimlin, Mark Chisholm, Sekope Kepu, Sean Hardman, Ben Alexander. Reserves: John Ulugia, Guy Shepherdson, Al Campbell, Julian Salvi, Patrick Phibbs, Daniel Halangahu, Drew Mitchell.
Mark Gerrard ruled out
Mark Gerrard the Wallabies winger currently playing for Australia A has been ruled out for one month. Gerrard suffered a shoulder injury in a tough physical encounter against Samoa on the weekend.
The injury comes at a bad time as Gerrard would have come into calculations for selection in the Tri-Nations series against the All Blacks and Springboks. Unfortunately it will make it difficult for Gerrard to force his way back into the Wallabies side without any significant time under his belt on the field.
Pacific Nations Cup Roundup
The second round of the Pacific Nations Cup was held over the weekend. Japan were far too strong for Tonga winning 35-13. The New Zealand Maori held off Fiji to win 11-7 and Australia A beat Samoa 20-15.
The Australian A side beat Samoa in Apia in terrible conditions. Samoa came hard at Australia A in the second half and they were lucky to hang on for the win. Samoa as expected came out hard and pummelled the Australian A side, both sides scored two tries a piece. The difference in the end was the boot of Mark Gerrard.
Japan meanwhile lead 12-6 at halftime against Tonga after they sustained heavy pressure in the first 20 minutes. Japan blew Tonga away in the second half scoring four tries in what was a convincing 35-13 victory.
Australia A and the New Zealand Maori’s remain the only two unbeaten teams after two rounds. Fiji and Japan both have one win and one loss and Samoa and Tonga are yet to register a winner.