Tight win :: HSBC Junior Waratahs down Fiji Warriors
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Saturday, 11 October 2008
NSWRU Media Unit
Outstanding defence under pressure laid the platform for a dramatic HSBC Junior Waratahs victory over the Fiji Warriors at Churchill Park, Lautoka on Saturday night.
Fiji Rugby Union
Fiji Rugby Union
Click here for video highlights of the match.
A Daniel Halangahu penalty in the 78th minute sealed the 14-11 win.
"The Warriors came to play tonight but our boys defended brilliantly," said assistant coach and tour manager Joe Barakat.
"It started raining midway through the first half and then it became a game of attrition."
The HSBC Junior Waratahs led 6-3 at halftime.
The visitors extended that advantage to 11-3 thanks to a try to hooker Damien Fitzpatrick.
The Warriors continued to hammer away and with 5 minutes remaining they crossed to level the score 11-11.
In the dying moments the Fijians were caught offside at the breakdown and that was all Halangahu needed to break the deadlock and snare a 3 point win.
The HSBC Junior Waratahs made a clean sweep of the tour after winning the first match 31-20 against Nadi.
"This tour has been a great success and I'm not just talking about the results," added Barakat.
"This is the first tour in 20 years by a Waratah team and the impact on the local game has been significant. We look forward to continuing our relationship well into the future."
Click here for video highlights of the match.
HSBC Junior Waratahs 14 (Damien Fitzpatrick try; Daniel Halangahu 3 pens)
d Fiji Warriors 11 (Naisa Narukutabua try; Koroi Yavala pen, William Saukuru pen) at Churchill Park, Lautoka. Half-time: Junior Waratahs 6-3.