Rugby: Bay boys feature in big opening win

Hawke's Bay's Penikolo Latu and Sheridan Rangihuna both got game time as the New Zealand under-20 rugby team started their Junior World Cup campaign with an easy 59-6 victory over a Fiji side which, at one point, was reduced to just 11 men in France yesterday.

Fiji had two players red carded and three yellow carded in the match as New Zealand ran in nine tries at Stade de la Rabine in Vannes.

Winger Latu was a second half replacement and featured in a couple of powerful bursts.

His Napier Technical teammate, halfback Rangihuna, took the field in the 49th minute and provided quality distribution and support play. He also kicked two conversions from four attempts at goal.

New Zealand scored their first after just 20 seconds when captain and Hurricanes flanker Ardie Savea ripped the ball from a Fijian player in their first phase and ran 25m to the tryline.

Second five-eighth Michael Collins and winger Fa'asiu Fuatai scored doubles and fullback Lolagi Visinia, winger Leroy van Dam, lock Scott Scrafton and flanker Jordan Manihera also crossed. The four-time champions play their next game on Monday against Australia, who lost their opening match to Ireland 19-15.

Fiji were reduced to 14 men in the 30th minute when Sevanaia Galala was sent off for a tip tackle. Six minutes later they had just 13 men on the field when Nasoni Kunavore was yellow carded.

It got even worse after halftime when Sunia Tamani and Timilai Rokoduru were both also sinbinned for a swinging arm and a late tackle respectively.

That left them with 11 men for a couple of minutes as New Zealand ran in another try by simply spreading the ball wide. Just as Kunavore re-entered, Fiji were left with 11 men once again when Viliame Rarasea become the second Fijian sent off, for a high tackle.

New Zealand made the most of the tiring Fijian defence scoring four tries in the final 25 minutes.

NZ Under-20 59 (Fa'asiu Fuatai 2, Michael Collins 2, Ardie Savea, Lolagi Visinia, Leroy van Dam, Scott Scraftons, Jordan Manihera tries; Tayler Adams 2 cons, 2 pens, Sheridan Rangihuna 2 cons) Fiji Under-20 6 (2 pens).

NZ 59

Fiji 6