|
Samoa 31 Fiji 17
3 June, 2000
Apia Park Stadium
Samoa complete miserable week for Fiji
A new-look Samoan side defeated Fiji 31-17 at Apia Park, severely denting the Fijians' hopes of winning this year's Epson Cup Pacific Rim title.
With no end in sight to the political mayhem back home, Fiji failed to give its populace a brief respite and only added to the country's current gloomy mood.
Playing into the wind, the Samoans capitalised on the spilt balls from Fiji to go into the break 15-3 up with tries from winger Lome Faatau and lock forward Tom Curtis.
Not helping Fiji's cause was an ankle injury to Queensland half-back Jake Rauluni that forced him off in the 3rd minute. Star lock Emori Katalau also hobbled off in the first half.
Samoa, under the coaching of New Zealand's John Boe for the first time, extended their lead to 28-3 midway through the second half before a brief rally from the Fijians gave the visitors a little respectability in the scoreline, if nothing else.
Va'aiga Tuigamala and To'o Vaega shrugged off their "veteran" tags to dominate the midfield, denying Fiji the chance to run the ball wide.
Samoa took the full five points from the match with further tries from skipper Semo Sititi and No. 8 Isa'ac Feaunati, while the Fijians returned home knowing they should have done better.
Fiji hooker Isaia Rasila got his name on the scoresheet after a strong drive from Jope Tuikabe, who missed out on the World Cup last year with a broken thumb.
Skipper Simon Raiwalui then gave Greg Smith's men a glimmer of hope when he drove over for a try, which was converted by Nicky Little to narrow the gap to 28-17 with 10 minutes to play. But another ball lost forward with the try-line beckoning ended the comeback, and Samoan fly-half Tanner Vili kicked an injury time penalty to close out the match.
Samoa can put this one down to a sterling defensive effort, hitting hard in the tackle as Fiji's attempt at playing a flat backline failed to pay dividends.
"This style of play takes a couple of years to perfect," Smith said.
Samoa (1-15): Kas Lealamanua, Trevor Leota, Polo Asi, Tom Curtis, Lama Tone, Semo Sititi (capt), Craig Glendinning, Isaac Feaunati, Joe Filemu, Tanner Vili, Lome Faatau, Va'aiga Tuigamala, To'o Vaega, Elvis Seveali'i, Toa Samania.
Reserves: Tanielu Fuga, Malaga Leota, Opeta Palepoi, Falaiva Motusagu, Denning Tyrell, Nga Paku Ngapaku, Terry Fanolua.
Tries: Lome Faatau, Tom Curtis, Semo Sititi, Isaac Feaunati. Conversion: Tanner Vili. Penalty goals: Tanner Vili (3).
Fiji (1-15): Paula Biu (Peniasi Damu), Isaia Rasila, Joe Veitayaki, Emori Katalau (Ilaitia Tuisese), Simon Raiwalui (capt), Jope Tuikabe, Sailosi Naiteqe, Inoke Male (Alifereti Doviverata), Jacob Rauluni (Sirilo Lala), Nicky Little, Marika Vunibaka (Jolame Nadolo), Saimoni Rokini, Kameli Tilalati, Norman Ligairi, Jonetani Waqa.
Tries: Isaia Rasila, Simon Raiwalui. Conversions: Nicky Little (2). Penalty goal: Nicky Little.
Half-time: 15-3
Referee: Shinichi Iwashita (Japan)
Crowd: 11,000
|
|
