Australia A in 47-8 rugby win over Fiji
Cameron Shepherd and Digby Ioane both notched a trio of tries as Australia A trounced Fiji 47-18 in Friday night's rugby international at Adelaide Oval.
They were the primary beneficiaries of a cohesive host nation performance before 6,174 spectators in the South Australian capital.
Shepherd, Wycliff Palu and a dashing Ioane were standout performers against a disappointing Fiji.
The Fijians only arrived in Australia two days ago, and undoubtedly found Adelaide's bracing cold an extra burden in their challenge.
But the visitors also were easily overwhelmed by an Australia A outfit which displayed fluency and tenacity.
Shepherd starting the ball rolling for the hosts with a seventh minute try, and followed for others in the 37th and 48th minutes.
The fullback capitalised on some stellar work from Palu in his return from a hamstring strain, the No.8 a dominant figure in the 50 minutes he played before being rested.
Winger Ioane was the other central figure in proceedings, scoring tries just either side of halftime to cap a performance also featuring telling runs which gained massive territory for his side.
Adam Ashley-Cooper came off the bench and scored a try from his wing with about 20 minutes remaining, before Ioane put an exclamation mark on his display.
With 13 minutes to go, Ioane scored his third try, sliding through a lapse Fijian defence for an eye-catching 20-metres before crossing the line.
That try sealed Ioane's man-of-the-match status and took Australia A to a 47-3 advantage.
But the Fijians did experience some joy on a bleak night when winger Mosese Luveitasau, flanker Akapusi Qera and Jeremaiya Tuivela crossed for consolation tries within the final seven minutes.
Australia A coach Laurie Fisher labelled the performance as cohesive, despite the irritation of Fiji's three face-saving late tries.
"The good thing is that nobody let themselves down, I don't think there was a bad player out there tonight," Fisher said.
"But we could do things a whole lot better.
"All the guys who were given an opportunity all played well and that is all you can do in games like this - play well as an individual and perform well as a team, and the rest of the things look after themselves."
Fisher also praised Ioane, whose man-of-the-match effort came on his 21st birthday.
"He's a fantastic athlete, he has got speed, great footwork and tremendous strength," Fisher said.
"He is improving his communication and his knowledge of the game, so it is only upwards and onwards for him."
The final match of the two-international series will be played at Melbourne's Olympic Park on July 22.
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