Siva Shines At Sixways

Fijian winger scores hat-trick of tries as Bears pip Worcester

Premiership Rugby leaders, Bristol Bears had to turn to another Fijian to spark their campaign as they beat Worcester Warriors 24-23 at the Sixways Stadium, England, on Saturday night. The win cruelly denied the Warriors a first Premiership win since

November, last year.

With Flying Fijians and Bears star centre Semi Radradra rested due to injury, stepping in was rugby league convert Siva Naulago. The Sabeto, Nadi, native scored three tries which impressed Bears’ coaching director Pat Lam.

“These boys were desperate for a win but we had to wait for our chance and the boys closed it out well after that bit of magic from Siva,” Lam told Bears website. “He’s (Naulago) got some X-factor qualities. Serious pace.

“The sort of finishes that not

many guys could do, but back three did a great job.”

Lam said they could have more points at half-time.

Winger Naulago’s first two unconverted tries gave Bristol a 10-0 leadonly for Warriors to level with a converted Perry Humphreys try and a penalty.

Halfback Andy Uren’s solo score on half-time won Bristol back the lead.

Francois Venter’s try and two Billy Searle penalties then put Warriors ahead, before Naulago’s winning try. all our got

Even then, after the Fijian rugby league convert had gone over in the right corner seven minutes from time, it still needed a superb touchline conversion by Wales stand-off Callum Sheedy.

Meanwhile, Flying Fijians veteran fullback Kini Murimurivalu dived over to score the winning try for Leicester Tigers to pip London Irish 33-32 in a Premiership thriller on Friday night.

Flying Fijians No.8 Albert Tuisue was always in the thick of things for his London Irish Club.

Results

Premiership Rugby: Leicester 33-32 London Irish, Bristol Bears 24-23 Worcester, Sale 31-16 Newcastle, Bath 16-38 Exeter, Wasps 19-20 Gloucester

French Top 14: Toulouse 42-17 Brive, Bayonne 20-28 Lyon, Bordeaux Begles 29-23 Pau, Castres 22-15 La Rocehelle, Stade Francais 40-21 Agen, Toulon 25-21 Racing 92.

Photo: Bristol Live Fijian- born Bristol Bears winger Siva Naulago scores one of his three tries in the Premiership Rugby clash against Worcester Warriors at the Sixways Stadium in England on March 6, 2021.