“We’ve worked pretty hard to get where we are,” Fiji hooker and man of the match Api Koroisau said of their quarter-final appearance.
“We have a lot of expectations on ourselves and we’re proud to be in the quarters and hopefully we can take it one step further to the semis.” Former Canberra player Terry Campese — playing in what was likely his last game — was troubled by an ankle injury and his night ended when he was benched in the 57th minute.
The 33-year-old, who this year captain-coached Queanbeyan to a premiership in the Canberra local competition, set up Josh Mantellato for the first Italian try.
“It’s been a long couple of weeks — tearing my calf a week before the comp started. I tried every day to get out on the field with the boys,” Campese said. “I got through yesterday’s session and it was my first tackle I did my ankle. I couldn’t believe my luck.
“I didn’t go out a winner but I’m thankful for my time in rugby league.”
