Italy have suffered another defeat on their tour of Samoa and Fiji, this time going down 34-18 to a Fijian President's XV.

The Fiji Rugby Union President's XV, led by veteran loose forward Ifereimi Tawake, defeated the Italian midweek team 34-18 at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka on Wednesday.

The match was the last game in Fiji colours for Tawake, who first represented his country back in 1985, and the first of Italy's two matches in Fiji. They play the full Fiji test side on Saturday before dispersing.

Just four minutes after the kick-off, Italian prop Salvatore Perugini forced his way over the line from some excellent mauling to get the visitors off to a good start.

But 10 minutes later, Fiji wing Manasa Bari galloped home at the other end following a strong break from Saimone Rokini. Norman Ligairi added the conversion.

The rest of the first half provided much entertainment with one more try apiece, locking the half-time score at 15-15 -- Bari running in his second just before replacement winger Juan Francescio dotted down in the corner.

Francescio had come on only minutes earlier after a high tackle from Bill Cavubati forced Fabio Roselli off the pitch.

Early in the second half, Nadroga lock Mesake Davu showed a bit of pace in blitzing through the Italy line to score. Bari then found himself on the end of a majestic move involving half a dozen players to complete his hat trick and stretch the President's XV lead to 27-15.

Ligairi, playing on the opposite wing, then scored the Fijians' fifth and final try to wrap the game up at 34-18.

Italy coach Brad Johnstone later paid tribute to Tawake, labelling him as a potential Fiji coach in the future.

Saturday's test match at Churchill Park in Lautoka will wrap up Italy's
four-match tour of the South Pacific. They have yet to win a game, having
lost twice in Apia last week.

Fiji
Tries: Manasa Bari (3), Mesake Davu, Norman Ligairi
Con: Norman Ligairi (3)
Pen: Norman Ligairi

Italy
Tries: Salvatore Perugini, Juan Francescio
Con: Andrea Scanavacca
Pen: Andrea Scanavacca (2)

Fiji
(15-1): Jonetani Waqa, Norman Ligairi, Saimoni Rokini (Tanivulani Mudu),
Sirilo Lala, Manasa Bari, Kini Kiliraki, Mosese Rauluni, Ifereimi Tawake
(captain), Iosefo Koroiyadi (Sunia Sevu), Ilaitia Tuisese (Apisai Naro),
Mesake Davu, Semisi Dakuiyaco, Niko Qoro (Inia Ratu), Bill Gadolo, Bill
Cavubati (Paula Biu).
Coach: Conway Beg

Italy
(15-1): Corrado Pilat (Matteo Mazzantini), Nicola Mazzucato, Francesco
Mazzariol, Manuel Dallan, Fabio Roselli (Juan Francescio), Andrea
Scanavacca, Lisandro Villarga, Andrea De Rossi, Andrea Benatti, Maurizio
Zaffiri, Simone Stocco, Luca Mastrodomenica, Andrea Castellani, Giampiero De
Carli, Salvatore Perugini
Coach: Brad Johnstone

Half time: 15-15
Referee: Peni Muakalou
Crowd: 3,000