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Here is the winners are grinner's version of events.
Doesn't quite match with what I was hearing unfold over the phone but will leave that for those who where at the ground to comment on when they return:
Vikings upstage Spirit:
17/08/07, ARU
The Canberra Vikings have notched their first win of the Mazda Australia Rugby Championship with a convincing 17-8 victory over the highly-credentialed Perth Spirit at Members Equity Stadium on Friday night.
After a try-less first half, the visitors broke the game apart after the break, with tries to outside centre Matt Carraro and flyhalf Christian Lealiifano sealing the impressive win in front of 5111 fans.
Spirit winger Ratu Siganiyavi gave the home side a consolation try in the dying minutes but it was Canberra who were the more efficient on the night and took their chances.
The Vikings, eager to atone for their 32-27 loss to the Melbourne Rebels last week, dominated possession in the opening 30 minutes but failed to convert their ascendancy into points, with both sides restricted to a single penalty goal in the first half.
Canberra drew first blood through a Carraro penalty in the fifth minute as Perth felt the pinch early.
Spirit prop Pek Cowan was stretchered off and required an oxygen mask in the seventh minute after suffering ligament damage in his right ankle in a heavy collision with Vikings number eight Jone Tawake.
Cameron Shepherd tied the scores at three apiece after 14 minutes with a tough penalty goal from the touchline, and was forced to make a try-saving tackle shortly after as Canberra launched its assault.
But Perth held firm, and when Canberra's Jack Vanderglas was sent to the sin-bin for back-chat in the 31st minute, the Spirit dominated the remainder of the half.
Vikings Hooker Saia Faingaa limped off in the 33rd minute as Perth continued to surge, with winger Nick Cummins bundled into touch just metres from the try line by some resilient Canberra defence, leaving the scores tied at 3-3 at the break.
Carraro broke the deadlock eight minutes after the restart when the Vikings cut through Perth's defences and the outside centre found himself on the end of the move and crossed untouched.
Carraro nailed the conversion as Canberra sprinted out to a 10-3 lead.
Shepherd had two penalty attempts to close the gap but missed both kicks as Perth started to wrest back control.
However, against the run of play Lealiifano sealed the win when he intercepted a wayward Spirit pass and sprinted 45m to cross for the five-pointer, with Carraro's conversion making it 17-3 in the 63rd minute.
With their backs against the wall the home side launched a spirited attack in a bid to claw back the deficit, and a clever dribble kick from stand-in captain Scott Fava sent substitute Ratu Siganiyavi over the line in the 79th minute.
But it was too little, too late for the Spirit, with the Vikings celebrating a deserved victory one minute later and Vanderglas named man of the match.
Canberra Vikings 17
Tries: Carraro, Lealiifano 1
Conversions: Carraro 2/2
Penalties: Carraro 1/2
Perth Spirit 8
Tries: Ratu Siganiyavi 1
Conversions: Nil
Penalties: Shepherd 1/4
Crowd: 5111@Members Equity Stadium, Perth.
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Originally Posted by shasta
"Remember lads, rugby is a team game; all 14 of you make sure you pass the ball to Giteau." 
