Winger Hosea Gear starred with three tries as a slick Junior All Blacks outfit beat disjointed Fiji 45-17 in the Pacific Nations Cup yesterday.
The Junior All Blacks stepped up a gear in their seven-try-to-three victory, showing more cohesion than in their narrow 17-16 win over Samoa in their opening match at the weekend.
Fiji showed flashes of their characteristic free-running talents, but a high error rate meant they were unable to maintain possession and string phases together.
Gear’s speed and power showed he is making a speedy return to form after an injury-interrupted season, which stalled his momentum following a strong showing for the All Blacks on their European tour late last year.
The Wellington Hurricanes winger scored the opening try seven minutes into the match after collecting a deft crossfield kick from flyhalf Stephen Brett and stepping around the sole defender to touch down.
Fiji hit back 10 minutes later with a converted try to halfback Nemia Kenatale, giving the home side a shortlived lead.
A minute later lock Tom Donelly hit back for the Juniors and further touchdowns to captain Tamati Ellison and outside center Anthony Tuitavake stretched the lead to 24-7 at the break.
Gear added to his tally just two minutes into the second half, using his strength to touch down in the tackle.
Fiji needed only another three minutes to hit back with five points through number eight Sakiusa Matadigo after center Waisale Suka prized open the Juniors’ defense.
The Juniors and Fiji traded more tries through Rene Ranger and Iliesa Keresini respectively, before Gear barged through three tackles to set the seal on a dominant performance.
In the other second-round match of the round-robin tournament yesterday, in nearby Sigatoka, a late four-try surge clinched a 34-15 win for Samoa over Japan.
Japan led 15-12 midway through the second spell, but Samoa’s greater size and experience took their toll as they finished six-tries-to-two winners.
Japan, who dominated territory until well into the second half, were also partly undone by handling and tactical errors.
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