Country Cockatoos Pay Dearly for Defensive Lapses
» Back to News Listing
Sunday, 22 October 2006
NSWRU Media Unit
The Landmark NSW Country Cockatoos have opened their development tour of Fiji with a disappointing 38-10 loss to a Fiji HPU (High Performance Unit) Select XV in Lautoka.
Country fullback Pat Barrett in action against the NSW Waratah Academy
Country fullback Pat Barrett in action against the NSW Waratah Academy
The Cockatoos were competitive throughout the match, however defensive lapses in the latter stages of each half cost them dearly.
In humid conditions, the Cockatoos had the better of the first ten minutes of play, and had the Select XV under pressure with aggressive forward play and structured backline attack.
However they were unable to convert pressure into points, allowing the Select XV to put their game together.
On one of the rare occasions the Select XV got into the Cockatoo half, they scored a spectacular converted try following a well judged cross kick.
The home side then followed it up with an unconverted try, which finished off a well structured attacking raid and took the score out to 12-0 after 25 minutes.
The Cockatoos regrouped and went on the attack, but a series of turnovers at crucial times took the momentum out of the attack.
With less then ten minutes of play remaining in the first half, Country lock Dan Kevill was sent to the sin bin for a professional foul. In Kevill’s absence the Select XV went on the attack and scored two tries, the latter right on half time to take the half time score to 24-0.
The second half commenced the same as the first, with the Cockatoos going on the front foot and having the Select XV under pressure.
This time the pressure was converted into points with unconverted tries to Hooker Michael Lee and No 8 Robbie Creighton, and at the sixty minute mark the Cockatoos were in the match with the score at 24-10.
The match was not one for the faint hearted, with solid defence displayed by both sides resulting in several players going to the blood bin and others replaced with injuries.
The Select XV increased their lead to 31-10 when they scored a converted seventy five metre try following a Cockatoo turn over. This try and the sapping heat deflated the Cockatoos, and they spent the remainder of the match continually under pressure, and defending their line.
With seconds remaining the Select XV crossed for a soft converted try to make the final score 38-10.
The match was a learning experience for the Cockatoos, with only three players in the squad having previously played against international opposition.
The Cockatoos will now regroup for their next match against the Sanyo Cup Champions Nadroga Rugby Club on Wednesday, 25 October in Nadi.
Fiji HPU Select XV – 38
Defeated
Landmark NSW Country Cockatoos – 10
Tries: Robbie Creighton, Michael Lee
At Lautoka, Fiji.