Ireland blow Fiji away with pure class

Ireland 64 Fiji 17

OK, some will pour cold water on that type of enthusiasm but, with an experimental Irish side and sweeping changes even as the game progressed, it wasn't bad.

Ireland scored a total of nine tries and while the supporters felt a little frustration that only three of them came in the second half, this was a game they were in total control of.

McCullion noted: "Ireland did things that we never expected of them. They varied their angles of running brilliantly and their ball retention was absolutely superb as well. I doubt if we saw the ball for more than a few seconds in the first half and they drove at us relentlessly. If the Fijian Rugby Union have headaches after their second big defeat of the tour, Irish coach Eddie O'Sullivan may have a blinding one shortly. The performances of some of these so-called 'fringe' players made him sit up and take stock.

Geordan Murphy had a big game and Justin Bishop also pushed his claims. Marcus Horan and Frankie Sheahan did more than was required of them and Alan Quinlan alongside Kieron Dawson made an immense contribution. Ireland stormed into an early lead when Geordan Murphy went in for a try after a dramatic run, swivel and dummy by Shane Horgan. Ireland continued to pound the Fijian defence but conceded two silly penalties to give the visiting side breathing space. They did atone for those mistakes by scoring a second try on 14 minutes.

And it was a beauty. David Humphreys found Justin Bishop with one of the longest passes of the year. The London Irish player skipped inside and then went left to find the supporting Kevin Maggs steaming in. The subsequent conversion and a later penalty from Humphreys put Ireland into a strong 15-0 lead.

True, they then relaxed and Nicky Little kicked a penalty to narrow the gap. But Ireland were always in control, always composed and always more adventurous. Murphy got his second try by getting his fingernails to the ball after Humphreys cleverly chipped over a massed Fijian defence. Then Brian O'Driscoll scampered in for another try to equal Brendan Mullins' Irish record and finally Justin Bishop got his reward for endeavour when he pushed out the Irish lead to 30-3.

It wasn't over even then. Malcolm O'Kelly stormed down the pitch, found Anthony Foley who in turn found Maggs with a beautiful pass. The centre sliced through the cap and scored under the posts with Humphreys converting again.

McCullion appeared to have the strongest team talk at the break because Fiji came out with all guns blazing and scored the first try of the period through flanker Alifereti Doviverata. Little converted to give Fiji some semblance of hope.

Not for long, however, because Ireland responded brilliantly. Humphreys kicked a penalty and then Kieron Dawson went in for a try that Humphreys converted, all the product of great work from Bishop.

Anthony Foley took advantage when John Hayes was pulled down short of the line and he got in for the try. Humphreys added another penalty before substitute Joseph Narruhn went in for a Fijian try after a moment of magic from veteran Waisale Serevi who also kicked the conversion.

But Ireland had the last say. Man-of- the-match Maggs got in for his third try in injury time and Humphreys added to conversion to give Ireland a 64-17 victory, the biggest they have ever posted against Fiji.

IRELAND: G. Murphy (Leicester), S. Horgan (Leinster/Lansdowne), B. O'Driscoll (Leinster/Blackrock) captain; K. Maggs (Bath), J. Bishop (London Irish), D. Humphreys (Ulster/Dungannon), G. Easterby (Llanelli), M. Horan (Munster/Shannon), F. Sheahan (Munster/Cork Constitution), J. Hayes (Munster/Shannon), L. Cullen (Leinster/Blackrock), M. O'Kelly (Leinster/St. Mary's), A. Quinlan (Munster/Shannon), A. Foley (Munster/Shannon), K. Dawson (London Irish).

Replacements. G. D'Arcy (Leinster/Lansdowne) for O'Driscoll (55), R. Corrigan (Leinster/Greystones) for Hayes, M. O'Driscoll (Munster/Cork Constitution) for O'Kelly, E. Miller (Leinster/Terenure) for Foley (all 61).

FIJI: W. Serevi (Stade Montois), F. Lasagavibau (Northland, NZ), V. Satala (Harlequins), S. Bai (Southland, NZ), N. Ligairi (Southland, NZ), N. Little (Saracens), J. Rauluni (Rotherham), R. Nyhold (Queensland University), G. Smith (Waikato) captain; B. Cavubati (Wellington), A. Naevo (Kaneka, Japan), S. Raiwalui (Newport), A. Mocelutu (Neath), S. Koyamaibole (Toyoto Skokki, Japan), A. Doviverata (Yamaha, Japan)

Replacements. J. Narruhn (Hino, Japan) for Little (55), I. Rawaga (Loutoka) for Naevo (61), S. Tawake (Suva) for Doviverata (71), S. Rabaka (Nadi) for Rauluni (72).

Referee. T. Spreadbury (England)