It´s hard to say which defeat was more painful for Spain: Australia or Fiji? Australia more embarrassing certainly, brushed aside as Australia scored at more than a point a minute. But painful? They were never in the Australian game. Against Fiji, it feels as though Spain snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.
It was the cruelest of defeats for a team whose rapid improvement against France restored real belief that the same result from two years ago (a narrow Spanish win) could occur. Spain got off to the perfect start with a two try lead and a man in the bin for Fiji in a game where the referee´s whistle was never long out of earshot.
For all the talk of Flying Fijians it was Spain´s fast paced fluent movement that Fiji couldn´t handle. Fifteen minutes gone and it was twelve nil Spain. Fiji were always likely to come back into the game but in many ways Spain let them back in . Everytime Spain took three points in the 23rd and 33rd minute, Fiji struck back.
Particularly galling from Spain Under 20´s perspective is when Fiji exploited the lack of a set defensive line off the kickoff ,to go and score a try immediately after in the 33rd minute. It´s hard not to think Spain were better off keeping the ball and staying in control of the play. Half time and an 18-17 Spainish lead looked very fragile.
The nearly men
Still, it was Spain who came out and dominated the opening proceedings of the second half but missed out of points. Ivan Farace knocking on crossing the try line in the 48th minute, and although Spain would score to extend their lead it felt as if points had gone begging for Spain. As Spain tired and the game opened up, Fiji were exploiting the spaces available and a yellow card for Spain in the 55th minute pulled the game away from them.
In the 72nd minute Spain down six points choose to take three to make it 26-29 but that would be as close as the got. A overthrown line out, a scrum penalty against in the last minute and the expression on the face of the Spanish players said it all. This is one that got away.
“It´s not been easy” – Spain Coach Ricardo Martinena
As the race row involving Spanish player Mateo Aragón rumbles on, and it should be noted that FER are adamently standing by their player as seen in another extensive statement, it was inevitable this would be the first question to Ricardo before the upcoming game versus Uruguay. “It´s not been easy. Mateo maintains his version of events and clearly we are frustrated.”
On lifting the players before Uruguay, Richardo was adament that his team has been able to refocus. “Clearly the players were hugely disappointed but the last 48 hours we have been completely looking forwards towards our game against Uruguay. “
Spain Under 20´s – One step away
A narrow loss last year to Ireland, this time a heartbreaking loss to Fiji. In many ways, the result reflects where wider Spanish rugby is, just a small jump below that newly established Tier 1 cohort of Fiji and Japan in the wider game. Although Fiji look set to be brought into the magic circle , Spain are still waiting for a breakout moment and statement win in both Under 20´s and the full men´s team.
It´s a different kind of pressure for Spain now, they will be expected to finish this tournament 13th and win well. Whether the players can lift themselves to deliver what they are capable is a strong test of a professional mindset. With Spain taking on Uruguay this Sunday and transformed from David to Goliath , we won´t have to wait long to find out.
Photos used with permission of World Rugby
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