The Fiji Airways Flying Fijians have created history at the ANZ Stadium this afternoon beating the Maori All Blacks 27-10 after 62 years.
Fiji last beat the Maori All Blacks in 1957 where they won 17-8 in Carisbrook in Dunedin, New Zealand.
FT | Congratulations to @fijirugby on securing their first win against the #MaoriAllBlacks since 1957.
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) July 13, 2019
We look forward to the re-match in Rotorua next weekend.#FIJvMAB pic.twitter.com/gj5NuRAdr4
Flying Fijians Captain Dominiko Waqaniburotu says its an amazing achievement for the team as they only spent two weeks in training for their first game.
Maori All Blacks Captain Ash Dixon commended Fiji’s offload game.
The Flying Fijians led 12-nil at half time.
What a start @fijirugby! #FlyingFijians 👏 We love seeing the support for the team at the stadium and around the world. Final score @fijirugny 27 - Maori All Blacks 10.
— Fiji Airways (@FijiAirways) July 13, 2019
Fiji’s first try came from Alivereti Veitokani who cut through the defence in the 21st minute after receiving a brilliant cut out pass from Flyhalf Ben Volavola.
Full Time. It's perfect start to the season. Fiji Airways Flying Fijians beat Maori All Blacks 27-10. #itsfijistime #fijivsmaoriallblacks
— Fiji Rugby Union (@fijirugby) July 13, 2019
Volavola then successfully kicked the conversion.
In the 32nd minute, Number 8 Viliame Mata pushed his way through in the corner to score Fiji’s second try.
The conversion was missed by Volavola.
Maori All Blacks Flyhalf Otere Black got a yellow card in the 37th minute.
Fiji extended the lead early after halftime through a penalty conversion by Volavola.
In the 46th minute, the Flying Fijians displayed running rugby at its best with great off loads from Captain Dominiko Waqaniburotu and Filipo Nakosi allowing centre Waisea Nayacalevu to score another try.
Fiji extended their lead to 22-nil after another successful conversion by Volavola.
Wing Sean Wainui pulled one back for the Maori All Blacks in the 54th minute. The conversion by Otere Black was unsuccessful.
Wainui scored his second try for the Maori All Blacks in the 69th minute. The conversion by Otere Black was also unsuccessful.
The winning try for Fiji came in the 72nd minute after a great set of offloads led Waisea Nayacalevu to score in the corner.
The Flying Fijians play the Maori All Blacks in Rotorua, New Zealand next Saturday.
Meanwhile, two former rugby players were honoured today and capped at half time of the Flying Fijians and Maori All Blacks game.
These two players were Josaia Radrodro who made his Test debut in July 25th , 1970 and Ilai Koroitamana who represented Fiji as half back for the Fiji 7’s Team at the Hong Kong in 1985.
