Saturday 31 March 2007

Upolu Samoa snatch last-minute victory

Douglas Tausili converted Timoteo Iosua’s last minute try to give Upolu Samoa a 14-13 victory over defending IRB Pacific Rugby Cup champions Savai’i Samoa in wet and humid conditions at Apia Park.

Savai’i Samoa had been leading 13-7 with four minutes remaining after a try by replacement Steve Faatau, but had fly-half Alvin Tavana sin-binned and Iosua then scored his second try of the match.

The defending champions scored the only points of the first half with a penalty from Loleni Tafuai after 17 minutes, the hooker increasing Savai’i Samoa’s lead to 6-0 with a second penalty 11 minutes after the interval.

Upolu Samoa had to wait until 56 minutes to score their first points of the 2007 competition, wing Iosua scoring and then converting his own try to give them a 7-6 advantage before Savai’i Samoa had Egelani Fale sin-binned on the hour mark.


Saturday 31 March 2007
Savai'i Samoa 13 Upolu Samoa 14
IRB Pacific Rugby Cup 2007
Marist Grounds, Apia

SAVAI’I SAMOA: 15 Alesana Laumea, 14 Tauvaga Faafou, 13 Ilalio Toa, 12 Ki Anufe, 11 Meki Magele, 10 Alvin Tavaga, 9 Gafa Siona, 8 Egelani Fale, 7 Manaia Salavea, 6 Ulia Ulia, 5 Lale Latu, 4 Luti Pese, 3 Rudy Leavasa, 2 Loleni Tafunai, 1 Tom Soanai
Replacements: 16 Steve Faatau, 17 Lafoga Aoelua, 18 Tim Nelson, 19 Filisoa Faaiu, 20 Paul Chan Tung, 21 Suafai Taialii, 22 Sitiveni Leleimalefaga
Tries: Steve Faatau; Conversion: Loleni Tafuai; Penalties: Loleni Tafuai (2)

UPOLU SAMOA: 15 Gafatasi Siitia, 14 Timoteo Iosua, 13 Paletuatoa Toelupe, 12 Samisoni Maola, 11 Samu Eteuati, 10 Douglas Tausili, 9 Notise Tauafao, 8 Mussolini Faalupega, 7 Alapasa Cortz, 6 Garry Saifoli, 5 Tui Fitiao, 4 Ola Pipili, 3 Taligatuli Moala, 2 Muliufi Salanoa, 1 Donald Kerslake
Replacements: 16 Andrew Williams, 17 Solomona Tavita, 18 Amilale Utumapu, 19 Marlon Solofuti, 20 Dominic Gabriel, 21 Reupena Vaeani, 22 Lagolasi Fonoti
Tries: Timoteo Iosua (2); Conversions: Timoteo Iosua, Douglas Tausili.


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