On their three-match tour of the southern hemisphere, the soldiers started their adventure in Wellington, where a brace from Gnr Senitiki Nayalo (RA) helped them to a 45-38 win over the New Zealand Army.
SSgt Matt Dawson (Int Corps), LCpl Solo Radianirova (REME), LCpl Michael McDonald (RE), Cpl Rhys Roberts (RAMS) and Sgt Connor O’Reilly (RA) were also on target for the Reds, who then travelled to Suva to face the Republic of Fiji Military Force.
The highlight of the trip, it was the army’s first match on Fijian soil and formed the curtain-raiser to the host nation’s clash with Scotland at the HFC Bank Stadium.
And while the tourists ran in five tries, they ultimately fell short against an impressive Fijian outfit, who went on to seal a 51-31 victory.
The action then switched to Brisbane for the concluding fixture, where the soldiers proved too strong for the Australian Defence Force.
Fly half LCpl Jack Johnson (RE) crossed twice and there were further scores for McDonald, Nayalo and Roberts in a 56-24 triumph.
Skipper Bdr Pete Austin (RA) also touched down.
“I’m delighted to get back on the pitch and have a positive result,” head coach Lt Col Tim Osman (RA) said afterwards.
“We showed good resilience. To face a team like that, who wanted to play with pace and offloads, and score eight tries was brilliant.
“The boys absolutely dug in – it was a really pleasing way to finish.”
The squad wrapped up proceedings by supporting the British and Irish Lions during their opening test against Australia at Suncorp Stadium.
