How Chinese Taipei tested our U19 team

Chinese Taipei snatched a 10-10 draw with the Cook Islands after a last minute try by Chung-Yu Huang at Gibson Park, Malone, to mean that both sides are still searching for their first wins at the IRB Under 19 World Championship 2007.
The tournament’s first draw means that both sides can finish no higher than ninth in Division B, having accumulated only two points from their three pool matches in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Chinese Taipei dominated the opening half hour of the match, taking the lead in the seventh minute when flanker Chao-Wei Guo was driven over by his fellow forwards after a lineout 15 metres from the Cook Islands’ line.
However Chinese Taipei were unable to convert their pressure into further scores and were left to rue this failure when the Cook Islands scored two tries in the final five minutes of the first half to lead 10-5 at the break.
The first came from prop Tara Metuariki, who forced his way through from five metres out after the Cook Islanders had put together several phases to bring themselves into the Chinese Taipei 22.
Low scoring
Metuariki’s front row colleague Louis Mokoroa claimed his side’s second try, the hooker touching down wide on the right as the Cook Islands’ backs showed their pace and ball handling skills to give their forwards an attacking platform.
The second half was a low scoring affair with the ball predominatly in the Cook Islands’ half and, although both teams threatened to break through, it was not until the third minute of injury time that a score was forthcoming.
Huang received the ball 15 metres out and, with seemingly no chance of beating the covering defence, the replacement used his pace and power to find a gap in the corner and the try was awarded after consultation between referee Sarah Corrigan and touch judge Jerome Garces.
Chinese Taipei could not convert the try from near the touchline to win the match and Corrigan blew the final whistle to bring the tight, but exciting match to a conclusion.
QUOTES
Cook Islands coach Ioaba Ezekiela: “The team performed well, but the result was a little disappointing. Credit to the Chinese Taipei team, they performed well and had the experience of having been here before. Hopefully we can improve next time and look for a high finishing position.”
Cook Islands captain Papa Mataroa: “Chinese Taipei surprised us with their attacking start. We talked beforehand about their speed and attack wide out on the wings, but their power up front surprised us.”
Chinese Taipei coach Hung-Lung Huang: “I feel we should have won the game and I am very, very disappointed with a draw. We had a lot of mistakes in this game and in training we will try to address this. This tournament is wonderful for us as we can learn from the top teams and develop our knowledge.”
Chinese Taipei captain Cheng-Yang Chen: “We were very disappointed with this game, we were better in the match. Maybe our tackling could be better next time. The experience shows that we have the skill, but not the big bodies for the tournament.” Source: IRB.

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