Cup hope dies

Fiji Times - Saturday, May 10, 2008 8:16 AM

ALL hopes of either the Fiji Warriors or Fiji Barbarins making the Pacific Rugby Cup final were buried in the paddocks yesterday.

The Babas blamed the refeeee in their 0-20 defeat to Tau'tahi Gold at Teufaiva Park in Nuku'alofa and the indisciplined Warriors bowed out to a rugged Tau'uta Reds 16-23 at Churchill Park in Lautoka.

The clash between the Air Pacific sponsored Babas and Warriors in the last round of the 2008 PRC competition next week will be a mere formality.

It was a gritty affair in Lautoka last night as the hosts led 10-3 at the break but started the new spell with only 13-man, allowing the visitors to stamp their authority on the game visa their heavy pack.

The bottom of the table Reds produced a well deserved second half performance.

Lack of discipline was the main draw back for the Warriors with three players sent to the sin bin by Samoan referee Tui Komiti.

Though the Warriors picked up a bonus point for finishing within seven points they are well adrift of second placed Upolu Samoa who have a higher points differential.

Upolu Samoa is on 12 points and will face Savai'i Samoa on 8 points in a home derby on Sunday with one more round to be played next weekend.

Tanivula expressed disappointed at the result saying his players were not as hungry enough as the Tongans.

"Again we had a good start. We led at half-time. Things fell apart in the second half. We lacked mental toughness. The sin-bins killed us. Three of our players were shown the yellow card. This put pressure on other players and disrupted our game plan," Tanivula said.

Fiji led 10-3 at the break with a try to Wate Vocevoce while Taniela Rawaqa converted and landed a penalty. Winger Tupou Palu kicked a penalty for the Reds.

In the new half, Tonga scored three tries, one conversion and a penalty. Rawaqa's two penalties for the Warriors were in vain.