Fiji suffered a 43-15 defeat to Ireland in Dublin in the Nations Championship after the Ireland produced a dominant second-half performance, scoring several unanswered tries to pull away from the Flying Fijians.
Fiji captain Tevita Ikanivere says the team made a promising start but Ireland fought back and capitalised on their opportunities.
Ikanivere says Fiji needs to prepare better for its next match, adding that the players have learnt a lot under the new coach.
He says Ireland took its chances and never backed down, describing the match as an important learning experience for the team.
Meanwhile, Fiji started with attacking intent, with Josua Tuisova and captain Peceli Yato scoring tries to give the Flying Fijians an early lead.
Ireland opened the scoring through Tommy OBrien in the eighth minute, with the conversion successful to give the hosts a 7-0 lead.
Tuisova responded in the 19th minute, scoring following a lineout inside Ireland's 22-metre area.
Ben Volavola missed the conversion, leaving Fiji trailing 7-5.
Fiji then took the lead when Wainiqolo made a strong break and offloaded to Yato, who crossed for the team's second try. Volavola converted to put Fiji ahead 12-7.
Ireland fought back through two first-half tries from Robert Baloucoune to take a 17-12 lead.
However, Fiji reduced the deficit through a successful penalty from Volavola after Ireland captain James Ryan received a yellow card, leaving the half-time score at 17-15.
The second half proved difficult for Fiji as Ireland increased its attacking pressure and took control of the match.
Ireland extended its lead with a converted try in the 46th minute to make it 22-15.
The match also saw a concerning incident when Ireland's debutant James McNabney was knocked unconscious following head contact near Fiji's try line.
Fiji's Inoke Ravuiwasa received a yellow card during the incident.
Ireland continued to capitalise on its opportunities, with Andrew Porter scoring in the 54th minute before Tommy O’Brien added another try in the 60th minute.
Both conversions were successful, extending Ireland's lead to 36-15.
Fiji had opportunities to get back into the match but struggled to finish its attacking movements.
Luke Tagi appeared to score following a lineout, but the try was ruled out due to a knock-on, while Ikanivere also lost control of the ball just before reaching Ireland's try line.
Ireland added another try through Nick Timoney in the 77th minute, with the conversion successful to extend the score to 43-15.
Wainiqolo made one final attempt towards Ireland's try line in the closing stages but dropped the ball just short of the scoring line.
Ireland captain Tadhg Beirne says his side had to work hard for the victory, acknowledging that playing against the Flying Fijians was not easy.
Fiji will face Italy in their next match next Sunday at 4.40am (Fiji time) at Bluenergy Stadium in Udine, Italy.
Live match update:
00:00 – Fiji kick off.
02:06 – Fiji win a scrum, with Nasilasila pushing through.
03:00 – Ireland's Jamie Osborne leaves the field injured.
05:30 – Tuisova steals the ball following Nadolo's kick towards the back line.
06:30 – Ikanivere is involved in a series of plays following an interception and knock-on, with advantage given.
07:45 – Tommy O’Brien scores Ireland's opening try and the conversion is successful. Ireland lead 7–0.
10:13 – Ireland win a scrum and push towards Fiji's try line.
12:06 – Ireland win a turnover and move close to Fiji's try line.
15:10 – Gibson-Park comes close to scoring, but loses control of the ball. Tagitagivalu makes the interception and the try is ruled out.
18:33 – Tuisova scores Fiji's first try following a lineout inside Ireland's 22-metre area. Ben Volavola misses the conversion. Ireland lead 7–5.
22:49 – Wainiqolo makes a strong break and offloads to Fiji captain Yato, who scores Fiji's second try. The conversion is successful, putting Fiji ahead 12–7.
28:15 – Ireland push towards Fiji's try line, but the referee rules that the ball is held up, denying Ireland a try.
30:40 – Robert Baloucoune scores Ireland's second try. The conversion is unsuccessful, putting Ireland and Fiji 12–12.
32:22 – Luke Tagi appears to score for Fiji following a lineout, but the try is ruled out due to a knock-on. Ireland's score remains unchanged.
38:46 – Robert Baloucoune scores his second try for Ireland. The conversion is unsuccessful, extending Ireland's lead to 17–12.
41:40 – James Ryan receives a yellow card. Ben Volavola successfully kicks a penalty for Fiji, narrowing the gap to 17–15.
Half Time
40:30 KICK OFF FIJI
45:56 – Ireland score another try and successfully convert, extending their lead to 22–15.
53:06 – Ireland's James McNabney is knocked unconscious following a head-on-head collision near Fiji's try line, while Fiji's Inoke Ravuiwasa receives a yellow card.
53:26 – Andrew Porter scores a try for Ireland, with the conversion successful, extending Ireland's lead 29-15.
59:36 – Tommy O’Brien scores his second try for Ireland, with the conversion successful, extending Ireland's lead to 36–15.
62:45 – Ikanivere loses control of the ball just before reaching Ireland's try line, with no try awarded.
76:59 – Nick Timoney scores another try for Ireland, with the conversion successful, extending Ireland's lead 43-15.
79:12 – Wainiqolo makes a strong run towards Ireland's try line but drops the ball just short of the scoring line, denying Fiji another try .
FULL TIME.
