Share Button

Article by Alex Goff (FloRugby)

The Pacific Rugby Premiership kicked off this weekend and already things are different from last year.

Life West emerged as a real contender with a powerful performance at SFGG’s home field on Treasure Island. Showing tons of pace and plenty of power in the breakdown, the Gladiators defeated SFGG 45-18.

Life West flanker Tesimoni Tongauiha had a strong performance against SFGG in the opening round of the 2019 PRP League. PC: Bill Thomas

The Gladiators scored in the first few moments when flanker Tesimoni Tongauiha powered through several tacklers to get to the line.

The center pairing of Meli Ratumaimuri and Josefa Vuatalevu put SFGG under plenty of pressure. Vuatalevu scored a superb try, sidestepping several SFGG players to get over.

Everyone seemed to get involved, with massive prop Fancy Namulauulu scoring on the wing.

In the second half, SFGG was able to inch closer with a penalty and a try, but Life West scored three late tries that put the game away.

SFGG captain Neil Barrett said his team needs a lot of work in the set piece, but added he felt they were improved in the second half. Life West captain Devereaux Ferris was pleased with the performance, but felt there is more to do.

“I thought we played pretty well at times,” he said. “Our skill and fitness levels need to be up. Moving forward [we need to be] getting the boys more playing time.”

Full article: https://www.florugby.com/articles/6335334-turnarounds-all-over-in-prp-week-1-all-the-results