Discipline letting Flying Fijians down yet again in loss to Ireland

Discipline was another area that let the Fiji Water Flying Fijians down yet again in their 52-17 thrashing by Ireland in Dublin this morning.

Fiji showed glimpses of their attacking flair but was ultimately outgunned by Ireland’s structure and discipline, ending up in the wrong.

Fiji received two yellow cards in the match, the first was shown to prop Eroni Mawi in the 18th minute of the first half and the second one was flashed to rookie lock Setareki Turagacoke in the 66th minute.

Ireland took advantage of both yellow cards and scored points against Fiji.

Though Ireland was reduced to 14 men early in the first half, Fiji could not capitalise on it and was shut down from scoring any tries in the first half.

The set-piece battle was closer than expected but Fiji lacked the consistency or discipline to come within a country mile of making history in Dublin.

Despite the loss, Fiji had some players who stood out in the likes of Mawi, Kitione Salawa, Josua Tuisova and Samuela Matavesi.

Mawi held his own in the scrums and showed a good work rate initially despite being sin-binned, Salawa relished the physical battle throughout the game, Tuisova caused Ireland major problems in defence with his battering runs and Matavesi came in the second spell and brought genuine energy and the accuracy that had been missing when he came on.