Tailevu back Osea Qamasea was the toast of their 25-18 win over Rewa in their Skipper Fiji Rugby Championship clash at the Burebasaga District School ground, yesterday, 2nd April 2022.
He scored the visitor’s winning try in injury time to break the 18-18 deadlock to the dismay of the Rewa supporters.
What happened: The hosts registered the first points through a penalty kick from first five eighth, Saula Lavetia in the 1st minute. Tailevu immediately replied with a penalty in the 4th minute to make 3-3.
The bigger Tailevu forwards drove a maul from the five-metre line that resulted in loosehead prop Noa Bula going over for the first try while the conversion from full-back Maika Baleinalotu went wide for a 8-3 lead.
Rewa fullback Uliano Cokanauto missed their second penalty in the 29th minute.
Rewa was left with 14 men after flanker Tevita Tuisue was sin binned but Cokanauto narrowed the gap to 8-6 through a penalty attempt.
Rewa’s second five eighth, Vilive Ladiniwasa and Tailevu centre Ravuama Laulauvaki were red carded before halftime:
Halftime: Rewa 6-8 Tailevu
Tailevu extended their lead to 15-6 from the restart after captain Timoci Vunimoko dived over the tryline with the conversion from Baleinalotu successful.
But Rewa fought back and in the 44th minute lock Kinijoji Lagilagi bursts through the Tailevu defence to score their first try with Cokanauto’s conversion making it 15-13.
Tailevu extended their lead to 18-13 with a Baleinalotu penalty.
The Rewa forwards worked as a unit and from a scrum in the 62nd minute drove over the try line with hooker Aminio Rasekaseka claiming the try with the conversion missing as they were tied 18-18.
Then Qamasea struck with a try in the 72nd minute with the conversion from Baleinaloto going over.
Rewa coach Watisoni Ratulevu said: “Indiscipline cost us today and it is something we will work on.”