The Lions coasted through a maddeningly underwhelming Western Force side, and Canada claimed a well-deserved and hard-fought victory over Fiji on Wednesday. Brief reports and all the numbers are inside.
WESTERN FORCE 17 vs 69 BRITISH & IRISH LIONS
Wednesday, June 5, 11:00 GMT, Perth
The Lions were in no mood for jokes on Wednesday as they brushed aside a halfhearted Western Force side with consummate ease. Michael Foley’s decision to field a weakened lineup was rightfully met with consternation by both the media and players from both camps, and rugby paid the price with a dull affair that could have just as easily been billed as a kicking practice for the metronomic Leigh Halfpenny.
Jamie Heaslip’s fine performance was overshadowed by a potentially tour-ending ankle injury to Cian Healy, prompting the rapid call-up of Alex Corbisiero who had been galavanting about South America with Stuart Lancaster’s England side. A similarly impressive performance by Healy’s immediate replacement, Mako Vunipola, would not have gone unnoticed by the selectors. Next up for the Lions are the Reds from Queensland, assuredly a much tougher challenge and a match that could come close to test conditions if coach Ewen McKenzie is more co-operative.
SCORING
Force – B. Sheehan 2c 1p, R. Brown 1t, L. McCaffrey 1t
Lions – L. Halfpenny 9c 2p, B. O’Driscoll 2t, J. Sexton 1t, T. Croft 1t, J. Heaslip 1t, M. Vunipola 1t, T. Bowe 1t, O. Farrell 1t, G. Parling 1t
CARDS
Force – E. Stubbs yellow
Lions – A.W. Jones yellow
WESTERN FORCE
S. Christie; D. Haylett-Petty, E. Stubbs, C. Tuatara-Morrison, C. Brown (N. Haining 61); S. Norton-Knight, B. Sheehan (A. Mathewson 71); S. Manu (T. Metcher 77), J. Hilterbrand (H. Roach 77), S. Ma’afu (S. Kolo 50); T. Lynn (B. Matwijow 65), P. Battye; A. Cottrell (L. McCaffrey 52), M. Hodgson (capt.), R. Brown.
BRITISH & IRISH LIONS
L. Halfpenny; T. Bowe (S. Maitland 77), B. O’Driscoll (capt.), M. Tuilagi, G. North; J. Sexton (O. Farrell 65), C. Murray (B. Youngs 65); C. Healy (M. Vunipola 36), R. Best (T. Youngs 60), D. Cole (M. Stevens 67); A.W. Jones, I. Evans (G. Parling 60); T. Croft (T. Faletau 71), S. O’Brien, J. Heaslip.
CANADA 20 vs 18 FIJI
Wednesday, June 5, 22:00 GMT, Ottawa
Canada earned their first victory over Fiji since 1995 in an entertaining, though somewhat disjointed, encounter at Twin Elm Park in Ottawa. The North Americans won both the territorial and lineout battles and were good value for the win. The margin of victory could have been greater had both Liam Underwood and Taylor Paris not surrendered possession of the ball with the tryline at their mercy. Much of the Fijian play was helter skelter stuff as they seemed determined to have a crack from anywhere on the pitch, but the reasonably stingy Canadian defense held firm enough to restrict them to only two tries.
Coach Kieran Crowley will be delighted at the confidence boost his men will take from the victory, but will have plenty to go over in the ensuing video sessions before they collide with Tonga in Kingston on Saturday. Fiji meanwhile will hope that they will have more of their professional players available as they head home to prepare for Eagles of the Tongan and American variety in a fortnight.
SCORING
Canada – C. Braid 1c 1p, A. Carpenter 1t, H. Jones 1t, R. Barkwill 1t
Fiji – S. Koroilagilagi 2p, J. Lutumailagi 1c, N. Nadolo 1t, A. Qera 1t
CANADA
C. Braid; M. Evans, C. Hearn, H. Jones (N. Blevins 58), T. Paris; L. Underwood, P. Mack (S. White 79); A. Tiedemann (H. Buydens 51), R. Hamilton (R. Barkwill 51), J. Marshall; J. Phelan, T. Hotson; T. Ardron, N. Dala (J. Moonlight 65), A. Carpenter (capt.) (J. Sinclair HT).
FIJI
S. Koniferedi; A. Delai (I. Salusalu 65), N. Nadolo, L. Tabuarua, A. Natoga; S. Koroilagilagi (J. Lutumailagi 65), N. Kenatale (A. Kenatale 65); J. Yanuyanutawa (C. Ma’afu 54), T. Tuapati (V. Veikoso 71), S. Somoca (M. Saulo 65); A. Ratuniyarawa, W. Lewaravu; A. Naikatini (S. Matavesi 54), M. Ravulo, A. Qera (capt.).
