Perfect 10 Ends The Fairytale For Fiji

Sydney Morning Herald

Monday November 17, 2008

Brad Walter

Australia 52

Fiji 0

IT WOULD be wrong to say Fiji never had a prayer against the Kangaroos last night.

They did that just before kick-off when the Bati players, including Jarryd Hayne and Ashton Sims, formed a huddle in the centre of the SFS and sang a hymn in the most public tribute to Christianity seen in Sydney since the Pope was here for World Youth Day.

But sadly for the World Cup's fairytale team, that was about all they had as Australia ran in 10 tries to nil to warm up for next Saturday's tournament final against New Zealand at Suncorp Stadium.

When you turn over the ball near your own line - as Lautoka Crushers prop Ilisoni Vonomateiratu did in just the second tackle of the match - against the best team in the world, there's not much God can do to help. Or the pro-Bati-crowd of 15,855, who boomed "Fiji! Fiji!" whenever the underdogs went on the attack.

By the time the Bati received the ball again 11 minutes later Paul Gallen, Brent Tate and Billy Slater had all crossed for tries to give Australia an early 16-0 lead that prompted a glance at the record books to consider whether the Kangaroos' 110-4 defeat of Russia at the 2000 World Cup could come under threat.

The fact that it didn't should be seen as a credit to the Fiji team, whose manager Ilaitia Naqau sent an email to supporters before the match declaring: "David uses Goliath's sword to cut his head off. This battle will not only be physical but spiritual as well."

The Bati played with a lot of spirit but it was another ruthless performance by an Australian team which so far in this tournament has crushed the Kiwis 30-6, England 52-4 and Papua New Guinea 46-6.

The only downside for the Kangaroos was a hip-flexor injury that forced Tate from the field in the 22nd minute after he simply collapsed to the ground mid-stride without a hand being laid on him.

Tate did not return and the initial diagnosis was that the Australian winger would be in doubt for the final.

Just minutes earlier, Tate had sprinted down the eastern touchline to finish off an 80-metre movement started by second-rower Glenn Stewart and involving skipper Darren Lockyer and centre Israel Folau.

Whether it was the loss of Tate or the rib-rattling hit Fiji five-eighth Alipate Noilea - the nephew of former Canberra star Noa Nadruku - put on his opposite after Lockyer passed to Folau, the Kangaroos didn't score again until two minutes before half-time from a penalty against Sims for dropping his forearm into the head of Australian second-rower Anthony Laffranchi.

To rub it in Slater crossed for his second try to give the Kangaroos a 26-nil lead going to the half-time break.

Slater scored again in the 49th minute but Sims had obviously given his Bati team-mates a lead on how to get under the Kangaroos' skins and New Zealand coach Stephen Kearney would have enjoyed what he saw as the Australians were forced to endure a second-half battering.

Hayne, in particular, seemed determined to inflict as much damage as he could against the team he represented last year but was snubbed by in the World Cup, and a 58th-minute shoulder charge, in particular, ensured Lockyer will be sore and sorry today.

Folau, who grew up with Hayne and Kiwis back Krisnan Inu in Minto, took exception to another tackle by the Parramatta star, while interchange forward Semisi Tora came up with some brusing hits.

But in the end the Kangaroos had too much skill with the ball and determination in defence, and a hat-trick of Johnathan Thurston tries in nine minutes followed by a freakish Greg Inglis put-down just before full-time completed a 52-0 win for the world champions.

The Fijians finished the match as they started, huddled in the middle of the field with team management and coaching staff.

"This is just a stepping stone for us to success," one of the two pastors with the Bati side was heard to say as the players began a prayer.

AUSTRALIA 52 (B Slater 3, J Thurston 3, B Tate 2, P Gallen, G Inglis tries; J Thurston 6 goals) bt FIJI 0 at Sydney Football Stadium. Referee: A Klein. Crowd: 15,855.

© 2008 Sydney Morning Herald

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