Saturday 7 April 2007

Warriors down champs

The Air Pacific Fiji Warriors defeated Savai'i Samoa 16-11 at Churchill Park on Saturday to keep the last year's champions winless after two rounds of competition.

Quotes:
Etuate Waqa (Air Pacific Fiji Warriors coach)
Although we won, we could have collected much more points than we did today. We had practised the set pieces and had ironed them out during training but they were not well executed in the match. It came down to wrong options on the field at the wrong time. Some of our key players, like Langi Peters, left the field but we had that well covered with able players in Sainivalati Vunibola. The win has laid a very good platform for us, and beating last year’s champions gives us a good boost.

Aporosa Vata (Air Pacific Fiji Warriors captain)
I am thankful to the boys for the win but we had to dig really dip. Our forwards held well and our backline was doing fine but our communication was not as good – so we almost lost the match. We will have to work on our set pieces so we can look forward to an improved performance next week.

Stan Toomalatai (Savaii Samoa coach)
We gave away too much possession and that was how we lost today. You don’t give away possession to a team like the Warriors who have very fast players. We started off well but the Fijians countered us very well.


Saturday 7 April 2007
Air Pacific Fiji Warriors 16 Savai’i Samoa 11
IRB Pacific Rugby Cup 2007
Churchill Park, Lautoka
Half-time: 11-11
Referee: Tevita Pasoni (Tonga)
Crowd: 600

FIJI WARRIORS: 15 Simeli Tuiteci, 14 Daniele Tabuakuru, 13 Gabiriele Lovobalavu, 12 Lloyd Hazelman, 11 Taniela Rawaqa, 10 Luke Rogoyawa (Kelemedi Bola 62), 9 Aporosa Vata (capt), 8 Dale Tonawai, 7 Viliame Maya, 6 Jone Qovu, 5 Aseri Tale (Savenaca Driu 48), 4 Langi Peters (Sainivalati Vunibola 4, Samu Vakaruru 64), 3 Tiko Matawalu, 2 Sunia Koto, 1 Alefoso Yalayalatabua
Not used: Aseri Buli, Isoa Rokobici, Jeremaiya Tuilevu
Coach: Etuate Waqa
Tries: Tuiteci, Maya; Penalty goals: Rawaqa (2)

SAVAI’I SAMOA: 15 Alesana Laumea, 14 Tauvaga Faafou, 13 Ilalio Toa (Suafai Taialii 64), 12 Ki Anufe, 11 Maki Magele (Sitiveni Lelemalefaga 59), 10 Alvin Tavana, 9 Paul Chan Tung (Gafa Siona 59), 8 Egelani Fale ( Lafogo Aoelua 71), 7 Manaia Salavea (Ponofasio Vasa 64), 6 Filisoa Faaiu, 5 Lele Latu, 4 Luti Pese (Sio Isara 71-), 3 Rudy Leavasa (capt) (Steve Faatau 4-9, 69), 2 Loleni Tafunai, 1 Naama Leleimalefaga
Coach: Stan Toomalatai
Try: Luti; Penalty goals: Loleni (2)

Scoring sequence (Warriors' scores shown first):
2min – TRY WARRIORS, Tuiteci; conversion Rawaqa (missed) – 5-0
14min – PEN GOAL SAVAI’I, Loleni – 5-3
15min – PEN GOAL WARRIORS, Rawaqa (missed) – 5-3
17min – PEN GOAL WARRIORS, Rawaqa – 8-3
20min – PEN GOAL SAVAI’I, Loleni – 8-6
28min – PEN GOAL WARRIORS, Rawaqa – 11-6
35min – TRY SAVAI’I, Luti; conversion Loleni (missed) – 11-11
Half-time
50min – PEN GOAL SAVAI’I, Loleni (missed) – 11-11
56min – TRY WARRIORS, Maya; conversion Rawaqa (missed) – 16-11
Full-time



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