Week 3 of the Israeli Rugby Regional League produced real rugby drama. The Golden Jackals, representing the south and central regions, scored a last gasp try to defeat the Fijian Ai Matai, 20-21 and win the inaugural Israel Pacific Challenge Cup.
The game was a feisty affair, with the referee showing no fewer than four yellow cards to the Fijian players. But they persevered through determination and flair to work their way into a winning position.
“Fantastic game, tough game”, said Rugby Israel national team coach and technical director Kevin Musikanth. “The Jackals were obviously better at the set piece, but then the Fijian were better at open play and did enough to win it. The game had many penalties and many cards, as it meant a lot for the Jackals and meant a lot to the Fijians who are great competitors and great ambassadors for the sport. They have done so much for Israeli rugby and we are grateful for that. Nice for the Jackals to win a trophy in their first year of existence. Nice to see young Israeli players get chances.”
For the winning try scorer wing Gal Aviram, Israel 7’s captain, it was an emotional moment after losing many months of rugby to national service during the war: “after a very long period in reserves duty, getting back on the rugby field alone was a dream come true, let alone scoring a winning try on 80 minutes. Playing rugby for your team and serving your country have a lot in common. To get things done, you need the warriors besides you, on and off the field. None of it was possible without my team of warriors, and the supporters of the Rugby Israel. I couldn’t be more thankful”, said Aviram
