The Flying Fijians scored a try and slotted in two penalties, but it was not enough going down 60-13 to the All Blacks, who raked in nine tries, three of which via Sevu Reece, to clinch the 2-Test series.
Despite the defeat in Hamilton last night, Flying Fijians captain Leone Nakarawa thanked his teammates for their “fighting spirit” in the encounter.
“All Blacks are the best team in the world and to play against them with a fighting spirit is a huge ask. We never lose, we always learn and there is a goal we aiming for as we go along the way.”
Flying Fijians captain Leone Nakarawa
His All Blacks counterpart Sam Whitelock also thanked the Flying Fijians and extended the team’s well-wishes to Fiji in its fight against COVID19.
Ben Volavola kicked the first three points for the Flying Fijians, with the All Blacks responding via Reece’s first of his three tries in the 14th minute. Volavola closed the gap with another penalty kick before Reece went on to score two more tries to complete his hat-trick, putting the ABs ahead 29-6 at half-time.
Flying Fijians prop Peni Ravai busted his way over the try-line for Fiji’s lone try in the 43rd minute, but it was the hosts that dominated and finished strongly, running in five more tries to seal the win. The match was the second and final Test between the two sides, with the ABs also winning the first encounter in Dunedin last week, 57-23.
Photo: Fiji Rugby
