The New Zealand ruby side defeated Fiji 55-15 in the second match in the Oceania Rugby U20 Championship 2018 yesterday.
Despite the win, Billy Proctor was sent off for a dangerous tackle in the 20th minute.
New Zealand was leading 10-0 at that stage but was then forced to defend for long periods as Fiji tried to make the most of their man advantage.
The Fijian side was only able, though, to add a penalty and went in trailing only 15-3 at half-time.
The defending champions upped the tempo after the break and Fiji, who will play in the World Rugby U20 Trophy later in the year, found it hard to live with them, but did manage to score two tries through second-row Liam Rasch and centre Ilikena Vudogo.
Captain Raikadroka Momoedonu says it’s always a tough game going up against the World Champion.
“Yeah they’re the top side in the tournament at the moment and I guess it’s always going to be tough coming up against the side like them. We did mess in a lot of areas and I guess they paid us dearly.”
Meanwhile, the Junior Wallabies ran in 15 tries in a 91-7 defeat of a spirited Tongan side.
New Zealand and Australia will meet in the expected title decider while Fiji and Tonga will attempt to win their first match of the 2018 edition and secure third place on Sunday.
