Sport

Wales enjoy ideal prep for All Blacks assignment

Wales 38 Pacific Islanders 20: For Wales this was supposed to be a banana skin in their path as they prepare to face the All…

Ian Malin at the Millennium Stadium
Mon Nov 13 2006 - 00:00

Wales 38 Pacific Islanders 20: For Wales this was supposed to be a banana skin in their path as they prepare to face the All Blacks here on Saturday week. But it was a banana skin that Gareth Jenkins' team sidestepped as confidently as Phil Bennett in his pomp.

By the break the game was as good as over, Wales 31-5 up after the visitors had presented them with two of their four tries.

James Hook has made his entrance on to the international stage with all of Bennett's sure-footedness since replacing the injured Stephen Jones in the game against the Wallabies and effortlessly kicking 13 points to ensure a draw.

Hook scored the first of two interception tries in the first half when he latched on to Tusi Pisi's pass on the Pacific Islanders' 10-metre line to score.

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When Seilala Mapasua threw out another pass as a flat-lying visiting attack moved up in the final minute of the half, Lee Byrne grabbed the opportunity to punish the Islanders again.

Jenkins admitted he has a headache but it is the kind of pain Andy Robinson could only dream about.

So many of this shadow side performed well it is difficult to know who should face the All Blacks or be selected for a slightly more low-key game against Canada on Friday night.

"At the start of the Australia game they came out and caught us, but the squad showed their spirit there and that helped us for this week," said Duncan Jones afterwards.

"There is a lot of competition for places and it is a good environment to be in. When it comes to selection everyone is trying to get into the starting team.

"But we take it every game at a time and try to build our performances."

WALES: Morgan; Byrne, Parker, Hook , M Jones; Sweeney, Phillips; D Jones, R Thomas, Horsman, Owen, Sidoli, AW Jones, G Thomas, Popham. Replacements: G Evans for Byrne (60) mins, Williams for M Jones (52 mins), Cooper for Philips (73 mins), Bennet for R Thomas (73 mins), Adam jones for Horsmann (56 mins), J Thomas for Owen (72 mins).

PACIFIC ISLANDERS: Ligairi; Fa'atau, Rabeni, Mapasua, Tagicakibau; Pisi, Rauluni; Va'a , Schwalger , Taumoepeau, Raiwalui, Leo, Sititi , Latu , T Pole. Replacements: Bai for Mapasua (68 mins), Ratuvou for Tagicakibau (19 mins),Lutui for Schwalger (58 mins), Johnson for Taumoepeau (58 mins), Molitika for Leo (65 mins), Taione for Pole (51 mins) Poluleuligaga fro Rauluni (74 mins),

Referee: W Barnes (England).