2025 UK Pre-Season Friendlies
28 days ago | LeagueUnlimited Media
Fiji has strolled to a big 58-14 victory over Lebanon at Leichhardt Oval in a match where they were never threatened, but one where the Cedars never gave up.
The game got off to an ominous start when Lebanon failed to get out of their own 10 metre zone after their first set of six, but it wasn't until the 7th minute that the scoreboard attendant was put to work.
Tui Kamikamica ran onto a ball from dummy half and barged over under the posts for a good try. Brandon Wakeham converted.
In the 14th minute, Anthony Layoun fumbled the ball in the tackle on his kick return, handing great field position to Fiji, which they didn't waste. A minute later, Wakeham held up a lofted pass to Suliasi Vunivalu, who scored in the corner. Wakeham converted from touch.
From the next set, Fiji managed to cross again. A kick to the left side found Sivo who made a huge leap, took a great catch and fell over the line to score a stunning try! Wakeham was unable to convert from out wide.
A ten minute period of dominance by Fiji came directly after Sivo took a great catch and then ran 60 metres downfield before being brought down. Within the next minute Kikau scored on the short left side, after he fended off one defender before diving over. Wakeham converted.
Two minutes later, Lovodua made a break, just 4 tackles after the restart. He ran to the right and then passed back inside to Wakeham who raced away to score under the posts. Wakeham converted his own try from right in front.
In the 31st minute, Fiji crossed again when Wakeham sent a long flat ball to Vunivalu who raced away to score on the right side. Wakeham added the extras.
Just three minutes before halftime, Lebanon got themselves on the board thanks to a clever dummy half try by Michael Lichaa. Bilal Maarbani was unable to convert.
Lebanon made a horror start to the second half, when they ended their first set with kick out on the full. From the next set, Sivo bulldozed his way through and over the scattered edge defence to score. Wakeham converted again.
In the 53rd minute, the Cedars capitalised on several minutes of sloppy play by Fiji, when Farah grubbered to the left side, where the ball bounced up freakishly for Miskie, who leaped to regather it, spun around in the tackle and crashed over to score. Maarbani converted.
Fiji's sloppy play continued and in the 64th minute Farah passed to the left to Jacob Kiraz, who then drew the winger before passing to Miskie and the winger dived over to score in the corner. Robinson failed to convert.
In the 69th minute, Fiji added to their score when Joe Lovodua, at dummy half, took a few steps back, shrugged off a tackle and then darted over to score a good solo try on the right side. Wakeham added the extras.
In the 74th minute Fiji brought up 50 points when Sims put on a lovely short ball for Jayson Bukuya, who hit a gap and scored a try under the posts. Wakeham converted.
Right on fulltime, Fiji added even more points to their tally when Bukuya strolled over for a try under the sticks. Roqica kicked the goal after the siren to win 58-14.
Fiji 58 - Lebanon 14
Venue: Leichhardt Oval, Lilyfield / Wanngal
Crowd: 8408
Halftime Score: Fiji 34 Lebanon 4
LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:
3 points - Brandon Wakeham
2 points - Joe Lovodua
1 points - Viliame Kikau
FIJI (58)
Tries: Tui Kamikamica, Brandon Wakeham, Suliasi Vunivalu (2), Maika Sivo (2), Viliame Kikau, Joe Lovodua, Jayson Bukuya (2)
Field Goals:
Conversions: Brandon Wakeham (8/9), Junior Roqica (1/1)
Penalty Goals:
LEBANON (14)
Tries: Michael Lichaa, Abbas Miskie (2)
Field Goals:
Conversions: Bilal Maarbani (1/2), Reece Robinson (0/1)
Penalty Goals: