Two stars emerge as Flying Fijians run ten past Uruguay At Hartpury University last weekend, a strong contingent of both local and travelling Fijian supporters were treated to a 59-point victory over Rugby World Cup Pool D rivals Uruguay, with the Flying Fijians running in ten scores. It was here that two new fans favourites emerged too: Alivereti Veitokani and Eroni Sau. Unperturbed by the distinctly non-Fijian weather, the throng of players’ friends and family sang and danced to their nation’s traditional music heard blasting through the PA system while those two led the tenth-ranked team in the world to victory over a side they’ll next meet in Kamaishi, Japan, on 25 September. It may have been an odd experience for those not in attendance, seeing international stars Leone Nakarawa, Josua Tuisova, Vereniki Goneva, Peceli Yato and many more fans favourites taking to the field in Hartpury. However, John McKee’s men seemed right at home, basking in a more relaxed atmosphere than, say, the grandiose setting of a Twickenham match day. The game itself proffered no shortage of customary Fijian brilliance, with Nakarawa setting up two tries with overhead offloads worthy of a military supply drop in the first-half, while starting fly-half, Ben Volavola, broke clean through the Uruguayan defence to twice set up scores down the South American’s left flank. Related: Scotland outgun Fiji Yet, for all the sublime rugby on show from headline names, two newcomers to the Pacific Island side drew the greatest attention and excitement from those very much tapped into the ins and outs of the Fijian team, including former Fiji Seven Olympic Gold winning head coach, Ben Ryan. Fly-half ‘Freddie’ Veitokani and wing ‘Sledgehammer’ Sau were the men to stamp their own particular brand of South Pacific fineness on the Gloucestershire turf. The promising pairing built upon eye-catching campaigns for the Fijian Drua in Australia’s National Rugby Championship this year, having helped guide the only non-Aussie team in the competition to a maiden title earlier this year. The first of the in-form Drua duo presented himself as a possible answer to the long-standing question mark over the Fijian ten jersey, while the latter excited fans with a display reminiscent of European star Tuisova. Not since the culmination of Nicky Little’s 15-year international career in 2011 have Fiji truly found themselves settled at fly-half. Despite the fact their group of islands are full to brimming with the most naturally talented rugby players on the planet, the Pacific nation have been on a seven-year hunt for their next great ten to guide their carnival ship. Related: The opportunities and obstacles facing Pacific Islands rugby On Saturday, Veitokani, earned his fifth cap in the 54th minute arriving from the bench to relinquish the playmaking reigns from Volavola, who subsequently moved to fullback to tremendous effect. Described as ‘mesmerising’ following his performances for the Drua in the NRC, Freddie was deft with the boot and a constant hazard for Uruguay on the game line. He was able to … Continue reading Two stars emerge as Flying Fijians run ten past Uruguay