Rugby: Falcon shines in Baby Blacks debut

Points Haul: Tiaan Falcon (centre) scored 19 points for the Baby Blacks last night. Photo/File

Hawke's Bay Magpie Tiaan Falcon kicked eight of his nine attempts at goal as the New Zealand Under-20s opened their Oceania Tournament campaign with a 63-3 drubbing of Fiji on the Gold Coast last night.

First five-eighth Falcon finished with 19 points for the defending champions and shone with his directional play. Baby Blacks head coach, Magpies mentor Craig Philpott, was impressed with Falcon's maturity in what were tricky windy conditions at the Bond University grounds.

Hawke's Bay age group frontrowers Tim Farrell and Pouri Rakete-Stones took the field as second half replacements in the 51st minute and played loosehead and tighthead respectively. Their scrummaging was powerful and Farrell got the thumbs up from Philpott for his option taking.

"Tim was proactive around the field. He knew exactly when to clean out and when to hold."
Improving their receptions at kick offs will be a key work on for the Baby Blacks before they meet Samoa on Tuesday. The southerly as well as the tricky lighting didn't help this aspect of play for either team.

"The wind played havoc with those but it is an area we need to improve and we want to nail our shape a bit more too. We've only been together a week so there is plenty of room for improvement," Philpott said.

Falcon, a son of former Maori All Black Gordon Falcon and grandson of former Maori All Black Ray Falcon, combined well with halfback Kemara Hauiti-Parapara. Fullback Will Jordan was always dangerous on attack and deserved his hattrick which he completed within 47 minutes.

Winger Tima Faingaanuku made the most of his opportunities for a team which scored a point a minute up until the 47th minute mark. Openside flanker Tom Christie was busy in all aspects of play and scored two tries.

Like Faingaanuku substitute winger, 18-year-old Caleb Clarke, a son of former All Black Eroni Clarke, was a threat. Fiji deserve praise for the resistance they put up in the final quarter and their never-say-die approach.

The tournament which, which ends when the Baby Blacks take on Australia, next Saturday, is part of the Baby Blacks preparation for the Under-20 World Championship which starts in Greorgia next month. New Zealand will be aiming to improve on last year's fifth placing recorded in Manchester.

Magpies loosie Marino Mikaele-Tu'u wasn't in last night's 23 but will play on Tuesday.

Scorers:
New Zealand 63 (JP Sauni, Orbyn Leger, Will Jordan 3, Dalton Papalii, Tom Christie 2 tries; Tiaan Falcon 3 pens, 5 cons; Ciarahn Matoe 2 cons), Fiji 3. HT: 35-0.