Fijian fly-half Waisea Luveniyali was the toast of his Harlequins side as he converted a penalty in the dying minutes to give the Quins a nail biting 24-21 win over Saracens in the opening match of the Premiership season in Twickenham.

The 23-year-old Tailevu native came off the bench in the second spell for former All Black Nick Evans and become the overnight hero having slotted in the winning penalty for his club.

Fellow Flying Fijians Kameli Ratuvou and Mosese Raulini featured for the Saracens with Raulini also coming off the bench in the second spell for former Springbok Neil De Kock.

Quins winger David Strettle opened the scoring after just one minute with an opportunist five pointer - for a positive start.

New Zealand born fly-half Glen Jackson and fellow Kiwi Nick Evans traded penalties and the teams were locked at 8-6 by the half-time interval.

Saracens battled to move the ball wide in a scrappy opening 40 minutes of play, with both teams looking rather rusty.

Sarries came out for the second-half with more intent as inside centre Adam Powell raced over three minutes in - to edge into an 11-8 lead.

Coach Eddie Jones must have given his team a rocket at the break as the team started to play with more width and attacking edge.

Quins however had other ideas as winger Ugo Monye showed a clean pair of heels for their second try, while Evan's boot was on target for a 21-11 lead.

Saracens hit back with a try from former Springbok scrum-half Neil de Kock to narrow the deficit to 21-18 with everything to play for in the last 16 minutes.

But Quins held on for win following penalty a piece from Luveniyali and Jackson, for a final score of 24-21.

Teams :

Harlequins: Ceri Jones, Tani Fuga, Mike Ross, Ollie Kohn, George Robson, Chris Robshaw, Will Skinner (Captain), Nick Easter, Danny Care, Nick Evans, Ugo Monye, Jordan Turner-Hall, Gonzalo Tiesi, David Strettle, Mike Brown
Replacements: Aston Croall, John Brooks, Jim Evans, Tom Guest, Andy Gomarsall, Waisea Luveniyali, Epi Taione.

Saracens: Dan Scarbrough, Francesco Leonelli, Kevin Sorrell, Powell, Kameli Ratuvou; Glen Jackson, Neil De Kock; Nick Lloyd, Matt Cairns, Cencus Johnston, Steve Borthwick (captain), Hugh Vyvyan, Chris Jack, David Seymour, Michael Owen.
Replacements: Fabio Ongaro, Cobus Visagie, Andy Saull, Ben Skirving, Moses Rauluni, Ross, Rodd Penney.

Fijilive

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