Fiji have struggled to come to grips with the pace and level of rugby in their first match of the Oceania Rugby Under 20s Championship on the Gold Coast.
The Fijians have been thumped 63 to 3 by New Zealand in the tournament opener.
Fiji captain Temo Sukayawa Mayanavanua Photo: Oceania Rugby
Captain Temo Sukayawa Mayanavanua said his young team couldn't keep up with the speed and play of the New Zealanders.
"The boys, such as ours, we just came back from high school, from the Fiji Schoolboys [team]," Mayanavanua said.
"I think that was pretty new, that kind of atmosphere...many of us haven't played really much games after school matches and I think that was a major factor for us."
In the other game of the tournament hosts Australia defeated Samoa 43 points to 20.
Samoan captain Ivan Fepuleai said their set piece play let them down.
"If we fixed up our set pieces, the game would be a lot more free-flowing," Fepuleai said.
"I think when we had the ball in hand we were a lot more deadly but full credit to Australia, they really brought it to us."
Australia scores another try on their way to a 43-20 victory Photo: Oceania Rugby / Sportography
The next round of matches will be on Tuesday.
Samoa will play New Zealand and Australia will meet Fiji.
The tournament finishes next Saturday.
