The forthcoming Pacific Nations clash between Australia A and New Zealand Maori will be a virtual final with both sides heading into the final week undefeated after victories in the latest round of matches.
Australia A recorded an emphatic 50-13 win over Fiji in Brisbane on Sunday, while on Saturday the Maori overpowered Japan 65-22 in Napier and Samoa edged Tonga 20-15 in Nuku'alofa.
The winner-takes-all clash between the Australian understudies and the New Zealanders will take place on Sunday in Sydney.
In front of a crowd of over 4,500, and in beautiful conditions, Australia A got on the board as early as the third minute thanks to a try by Digby Ioane.
Further tries to Lachie Turner, scrum half Ben Lucas and Drew Mitchell, all converted by Daniel Halangahu, gave Australia A a healthy 31-3 half time lead.
Australia A started the second half as they finished the first with captain Morgan Turinui crossing for a try in the 45th minute, which was converted by Halangahu again to make it 38-3.
Fiji hit back through prop Graham Dews but a second unconverted try by Turner and a converted try by Stephen Hoiles brought up the half century for Australia A. Fijian inside centre Kameli Ratuvou scored on the stroke of full time to make the final tally 50-13.
Queensland loose forward Hugh McMeniman was named Man of the Match and afterwards Australian coach Phil Mooney expressed his delight at another impressive outing by his young team.
"It was a good overall performance rather than outstanding individual efforts and to do that against a team I have a lot of respect for in Fiji makes it especially pleasing," Mooney said.
"Clearly starting as well as we did with Digby (Ioane) scoring in the first few minutes set them back and then we had a period of consolidation before putting on some more strong tries just before half time.
"The backs performed well but it was the forwards who laid the platform with a good solid performance from players like Guy Shepherdson, Sean Hardman and Hughie McMeniman."
The win now sets up a virtual Grand Final next Sunday at the Sydney Football Stadium when the undefeated Australia A face New Zealand Maori, who are also unbeaten. The winner will be crowned champion of this year's IRB Pacific Nations Cup.
"In the back of our mind we always wanted to go into the last game against the Maori playing for the title and now that has arisen," said Mooney.
"But we've now got to take it just like any other game and prepare well this week."
With Wallabies stars Lote Tuqiri and Wycliff Palu suffering injuries in the Test against France in Sydney, Mooney was also aware he may lose some of his squad to the Wallabies.
"I'll talk to Robbie [Deans, Australia coach] and in the next 24 hours we'll get fair idea of who we'll have next week.
"But that's the purpose of our programme partly, to keep players in match condition in case they are called up to the Wallabies, so that was something we were always aware of."
The scorers:
For Australia A
Tries: Turner 2, Ioane, Lucas, Mitchell, Turinui, Hoiles
Cons: Halangahu 6
Pens: Halangahu
For Fiji:
Tries: Dews, Ratuvou
Cons: Rawaqa
Australia A: 15 Drew Mitchell, 14 Lachlan Turner, 13 Morgan Turinui, 12 Timana Tahu, 11 Digby Ioane, 9 Daniel Halangahu, 9 Ben Lucas, 8 Stephen Hoiles, 7 Richard Brown, 6 Hugh McMeniman, 5 Peter Kimlin, 4 Mark Chisholm, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Sean Hardman, 1 Ben Alexander.
Replacements: 16 John Ulugia, 17 Guy Shepherdson, 18 Van Humphries, 19 Julian Salvi, 20 Brett Sheehan, 21 Sam Norton-Knight, 22 Mark Gerrard.
Fiji: 15 Taniela Rawaqa, 14 Timoci Nagusa, 13 Vereniki Goneva, 12 Marika Vakacegu, 11 Michael Tagicakibau, 10 Waisea Luveniyali, 9 Mosese Rauluni, 8 Netani Talei, 7 Sailosi Rabonaqica, 6 Semisi Naevo, 5 Kele Leawere, 4 Ifereimi Rawaqa, 3 Jone Railomo, 2 Sunia Koto, 1 Graham Dewes.
Replacements: 16 Vereniki Sauturaga, 17 Tiko Matawalu, 18 Wame Lewaravu, 19 Deryck Thomas, 20 Aporosa Vata, 21 Kameli Ratuvou, 22 Sireli Naqelevuki.
Referee: Jonathan White (New Zealand)
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