Cockatoos Swamped by Fiji HPU
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Tuesday, 31 October 2006
NSWRU Media Unit
The Landmark Country Cockatoos returned home last night after losing the final match of their Fiji Development Tour.
Country Pride .. Cockatoos scrumhalf Paul Elliott in action
Country Pride .. Cockatoos scrumhalf Paul Elliott in action
The Fiji High Performance Unit (HPU) swamped the Cockatoos 53-5.
The presence of eleven Under 21 plays who represented Fiji at the recent Under 21 World Cup had an overwhelming effect on the outcome of the match.
In very hot and humid conditions at Prince Charles Park, Nadi the Cockatoos had the better of the early exchanges, and spent the opening five minutes of the match in the HPU team’s half.
The first time the ball was turned over the HPU team went on the attack and spun the ball wide to catch the Cockatoos out with a seventy metre converted try.
The HPU team quickly settled into this style of play, and after twenty five minutes the scoreline had blown out to 27-0, and a cricket score appeared on the cards.
The Cockatoos struck back with consolidated forward play and for the remainder of the half dominated possession and field position, during which time they were held up over the line twice, but they couldn’t get points on the board.
The second half started with the Cockatoos continuing on the attack, and five minutes in they were reward when a push over try scored by Bourke No 8 Robbie Creighton.
This was the end of the scoring for the Cockatoos, with the HPU team increasing the tempo and running in an additional four tries to take the score to the end result of 53-5.
Standout player for the Cockatoos was Southern Cross University’s Breakaway Henry Vanderglas, who figured strongly in all aspects of the match.
Whilst disappointed with the scoreline, the Cockatoo forwards again showed they more then matched their opponents, but it was the free running style of Fijian Rugby which was the major factor on the result.
Score Details
Fiji HPU Team – 53
Defeated
Landmark NSW Country Cockatoos – 5
(Robbie Creighton Try)
Cockatoo Team
- Dave GREIG Nyngan Rugby Club
- Mick LEE Wanderers Rugby Club
- Luke TROY Waratahs Rugby Club
- Dan KEVILL Wanderes Rugby Club
- Joe De DASSELL Inverell Rugby Club
- Henry VANDERGLAS Sth Cross Uni Rugby Club
- Ross DUNCAN Coonamble Rugby Club
- Robbie CREIGHTON Bourke Rugby Club
- Paul ELLIOTT Dubbo Roos Rugby Club
- Simon NEWTON St Alberts College Rugby Club
- Elliott TOURLE Quirindi Rugby Club
- Ritchie STEELE Robb College Rugby Club
- Luke BROWN Narromine Rugby Club
- Cameron WYPER Inverell Rugby Club
- Pat BARRETT St Alberts Rugby Club
- Duncan CHUBB Coffs Harbour Rugby Club
- Michael ROCHE St Alberts Rugby Club
- Jeff WILSON Gunnedah Rugby Club
- Andrew MacPHERSON Narromine Rugby Club
- Nick LESEBERG Merewether/Carlton Rugby Club
- Matt PANTON Narrabri Rugby Club
- Sam STEWART Inverell Rugby Club
- Luke SULLIVAN Ballina Rugby Club
- Matt MacGREGOR Parkes Rugby Club
- David SIMPSON Inverell Rugby Club