Ireland overcome Fiji in bruising encounter

Nations Championship 

Ireland 43-15 Fiji

Ireland recovered from a sluggish first-half performance to wear down spirited Fiji and keep alive their hopes of topping the Nations Championship northern hemisphere table with a bonus-point win in Dublin.

After thumping Argentina last week, Ireland failed to click in an unconvincing opening, with Tommy O’Brien’s early try and a Robert Baloucoune double enough for a 17-15 lead.

Fiji arrived in Dublin without a win in nine previous meetings against their hosts, and having been thrashed 54-17 by France last week.

But they dreamed of a historic win after tries from Josua Tuisova and Peceli Yato, and a Ben Volavola penalty, kept them firmly in the contest at the break.

However, Ronan Kelleher, Andrew Porter and O’Brien crossed as Andy Farrell’s men scored 26 unanswered second-half points to deny the Pacific Islanders, who remain without a point in the competition.

The result left Ireland one point off northern hemisphere leaders France before next week’s mouthwatering tussle with world champions South Africa in Dublin.

When these sides last met, in Dublin two years ago, Ireland scored four converted tries to effectively end the contest by half-time on their way to a 52-17 win.

But this was anything but simple.

Despite making seven changes from last week’s victory over the Pumas and losing centre Jamie Osborne to an early injury, Ireland threatened to gallop into the distance in a hurry.

The back three of Hansen, Baloucoune and O’Brien connected to put the latter in for an eighth-minute try – the wing atoning for an earlier knock-on.

Gibson-Park, back in the starting line-up, thought he had added a second for Ireland, but the scrum-half lost control of the ball as he touched down.

From there, Fiji decided to get moving and hit back quickly when mountainous centre Tuisova barged over the line after a piercing carry by Yato.

Yato, who took over the captaincy from Tevita Ikanivere for Saturday’s game, then touched down himself after winger Juta Wainiqolo surged through a hole in the home defence.

Irish frustration deepened when Ryan Baird was stopped just short of the line but, after a superb Prendergast kick caused havoc in the Fijian defence, the fly-half put Baloucoune in after good work from the impressive Hansen.

Fiji, playing with rising confidence, responded when prop Luke Tagi burst over, but Isoa Nasilasila was adjudged to have knocked the ball in the away side’s line-out.

But Ireland were further vexed before half-time amid an increasingly uneasy atmosphere at Aviva Stadium when Baloucoune’s second try was followed by a yellow card for captain Tadhg Beirne – after Angus Gardner had initially shown a card to James Ryan. That allowed Volavola to kick the visitors to within two points at half-time.

Jake White’s side played with immense physicality and purpose in the first half but their challenge faded after the restart.

After Kelleher’s try extended the home side’s advantage, Ulster forward James McNabney made a stunning debut cameo off the bench.

Within a few minutes of being introduced, the totemic 23-year-old rampaged through the Fijian defence and was stopped short by prop Inoke Ravuiwasa, who was yellow carded.

McNabney, though, was unable to continue following the collision, but Porter and Timoney claimed later tries to add gloss to the scoreline.

Ireland: Mack Hansen; Rob Baloucoune, Jamie Osborne, Bundee Aki, Tommy O’Brien; Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Rónan Kelleher, Tadhg Furlong; James Ryan, Tadhg Beirne (capt); Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier, Nick Timoney

Replacements: Tom Stewart (for Kelleher, 60), Tom O’Toole (for Porter, 60), Sam Illo (for Furlong, 49-72), Darragh Murray (for Ryan, 55), James McNabney (for Timoney, 49-53), Craig Casey (for Gibson-Park, 55), Ciarán Frawley (for Prendergast, 60), Stuart McCloskey (for Osborne, 3)

Fiji: Ponipate Loganimasi; Salestino Ravutaumada, Setareki Bituniyata, Josua Tuisova, Juta Wainiqolo; Ben Volavola, Frank Lomani; Peni Ravai, Tevita Ikanivere, Luke Tagi; Joseva Tamani, Isoa Nasilasila; Mesake Vocevoce, Lekima Tagitagivalu, Peceli Yato (capt).

Replacements: Zuriel Togiatama (for Ikanivere, 72), Vilikesa Nairau (for Rava, 52), Inoke Ravuiwasa (for Tagi, 52), Kitione Salawa (for Yato, 25), Elia Canakaivata (for Tagitagivalu, 53), Terio Tamani (for Lomani, 73), Caleb Muntz (for Volavola, 73), Iosefo Masi (for Bituniyata, 53).

Referee: Angus Gardner (AUS)