Nations Championship: Fiji remain winless after Irish loss

Detailed summary

The Flying Fijians' losing run in the Nations Championship continued in Dublin, as they were hammered 43-15-by Ireland.

The Flying Fijians' losing run in the Nations Championship continued in Dublin, as they were hammered 43-15-by Ireland.

In the Nations Cup, Tonga could not hold out Georgia, losing 55-31 in Tbilisi, while Samoa grabbed their second consecutive win on the road, beating Portugal 36-5 in Lisbon.

For Fiji, costly errors - including the inability to win their own lineout throws, conceding the scrum battles and losing the ball when in possession - continued to plague their campaign.

The loss means the Pacific Islanders have lost all five of their championship matches so far, with just one more game to go for them in the series.

Match commentators said it was a tale of what might have been once again for the islanders, just like they had done in the last five championship matches they have played so far this year.

Although they stayed in the contest in the first 40 minutes, their inability to keep the basics right worked against them, as Ireland took advantage and piled the points on in the second 40 minutes to keep their record against Fiji at home safe.

Ireland managed to score seven tries, two each to wingers Tommy O'Brien and Robert Baloucoune. Other tryscorers were Ronan Kelleher, Andrew Porter and Nick Timoney.

Flyhalf Sam Prendergast added six points from three successful conversions, while replacement Ciaran Frawley also got a kick through for two points.

Fiji managed only two tries to captain Peceli Yato and Josua Tuisova, while flyhalf Ben Volavola added five points through a conversion and a successful penalty kick.

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