Fiji fires off the blocks in Dubai

Fiji Times - Saturday, December 01, 2007 6:00 AM

FIJI made its intentions of winning the IRB Sevens World Series known by beating the high-flying Argentina side 31-19 at the Dubai tournament yesterday.

Fiji found life a little difficult against Argentina, but the ability to score tries from turnovers saw them home, with Emosi Vucago scoring two of their five tries.

Fiji were to play Zimbabwe and Australia last night when this edition went to press.

Led by inspirational captain Etonia Naba, the new-look Fiji side without big names Waisale Serevi and William Ryder worked on its defensive prowess to rattle the unpredictable Argentines.

The side then let it down to quick turnover ball, individual skills and good support play to run in tries.

Nippy halfback Vucago and playmaker Neumi Nanuku used their Nadroga combination to good effect and shred the Pumas defence with their side-steps.

This led to Fiji's first try to Vucago, which was converted by Nunuku.

Fiji were let off the hook after referee Andrew Small of England ruled a forward pass against Argentina.

A lapse of concentration in defence from Fiji let Argentina through after Pablo Gomez Cora put a fan on Nanuku to level the scores at 7-all.

Nadi's Vereniki Goneva repaid coach Josateki Savou's faith in him with a 55-metre try from the kick-off. Goneva used his power and pace to beat three tacklers and take Fiji's tally to 12-5.

Fiji's third try was scored by Nanuku after the ball went through several pairs of hands to stretch the lead to 19-5 at the breather.

Argentina returned to within five points at the restart after a defensive blunder from Nanuku saw the series top try scorer, Santiago Comez Gora, increase his tally to 171.

Vucago scored his second try from the base of the scrum to hand off the tackle of Alfredo Lalanne. Fiji led 24-12.

Good defence and support play allowed warhorse Setefano Cakau to put the game out of Argentina's reach with a length of the field try.

A consolation try to Federico Amelong closed Argentina's account at 31-19.

New Zealand lost captain Tafai Ioasa to injury on Thursday, but new skipper DJ Forbes scored two of their seven tries in a 41-5 win over Scotland, who scored with the last play through Andrew Dymock.

France scored two early tries against the Arabian Gulf before winning 26-0.