Italy and Dominguez crush Fiji
November 10, 2001

Diego Dominguez's sharp kicking helped Italy crush Fiji 66-10 in a Test match in Treviso on Saturday.

After falling behind 10-3 in the fourth minute, Italy stormed back to secure a a 31-10 first-half lead on 16 points off the foot of the Argentine-born Dominguez (pictured).

Following the visitors' brief early advantage, Italy held Fiji scoreless for the final 76 minutes. The win was particularly satisfying for Italy coach Brad Johnstone, who came to his current post in 1999 from the Fiji job.

The win also avenged Italy's loss last year to the Pacific Islanders in Fiji 45-9. The Italians, who host South Africa next week, are preparing for the Six Nations appearance after struggling through their first two attempts in the European tournament.

Dominguez was a perfect four-for-four on penalty goals in the first half, as the visitors were called for repeated penalties.

Fiji took several cheap shots, targeting the diminutive Dominguez and knocking out Paolo Vaccari with an elbow below the eye midway through the first half as the Italian busted through for a try that put the hosts up for good.

Fiji's Sisa Koyamaibole was sent off in the 52nd minute for leveling an opponent with a flying forearm.

After Dominguez's first minute penalty goal opened the scoring, Waisale Serevi scored 10 straight points, sandwiching a 65-metre breakaway try between a penalty goal and conversion.

But Dominguez responded with a pair of penalty goals, before Vaccari broke free after suffering the shot to the face.

It was only Italy's second win in six contests against Fiji.

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