SPORTS

Tawalo’s Big Day

It all happened in one day for Fijian Warriors full-back Inia Tawalo. Earlier yesterday, he and his bride Jokaveti Kamoro cut their wedding cake af­ter their wedding service at Batiri
10 Mar 2018 11:00
Tawalo’s Big Day
Inia Tawalo with wife Jokaveti after cutting their wedding cake at Batiri Village in Nadroga on the morning of March 9, 2018. Inset: Tawalo scores Fijian Warriors first try against Samoa A at the ANZ Stadium, Suva on March 9, 2018. Photos: Rosi Dovierata and Ronald Kumar.

It all happened in one day for Fijian Warriors full-back Inia Tawalo. Earlier yesterday, he and his bride Jokaveti Kamoro cut their wedding cake af­ter their wedding service at Batiri village in Nadroga. Tawalo had to forfeit his wedding celebrations, left his new bride behind, a school teacher to be back in Suva by 3pm for the Warriors clash.

He then scored the first try as they fought back to beat Samoa A 33-21 at the ANZ Sta­dium, Suva last night.

What happened: The Samo­ans took an early lead when first-five eight D’Angelo Lei­uila kicked over a penalty. The young Warriors fought back and Tawalo ran in the first try with Serupepeli Vu­larika’s conversion making it 7-3.

The Warriors dominated possession and scored their second try through Waisale Urabuta before Apisalome Vota ran in the third try. Vu­larika converted both tries for a 21-3 lead.

Silly mistakes from the Fi­jians allowed Samoa A’s Lei­uila convert two penalties.

Halftime: Fijian Warriors 21-9 Samoa A.

The Samoans came strongly in the second half and scored their first try to prop Howard Sililoto with Leiuila narrow­ing the deficit to 21-16.

The match became scrappy as the Warriors struggled in the breakdown areas. A loose ball saw Samoan halfback Melani Matavao score their second try which brought the scores to 21-21.

Tawalo copped a yellow card for dangerous tackle.

Despite playing with 14-men the Warriors held on to score two more tries.

Comments: Fijian Warriors head coach Senirusi Seru­vakula said: “We talked about having a good start but there is a lot of work to be done be­fore we face Japan next Tues­day.”

Samoa A head coach Brian Lima said: “Our boys played well and they have put in a lot of effort. For a team who only played together for two weeks, I’m proud of them.”

Edited by Leone Cabena­tabua

Feedback:anasilinir@fijisun.com.fj



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