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 TEIVOVO.COM – TEAM FIJI
23 June, 2001
Fiji awesome in Apia
From Jeremy Duxbury
Fiji defeated Samoa in Apia for the first time since the mid-1980s on Saturday to keep alive their chances of a Pacific Rim semi-final spot.
But the 22-19 victory didn't bring Fiji the vital bonus point that would have made their passage to Tokyo a little easier. They must now hope Samoa win or draw in Tonga next week or lose by 15 points or more.
All that aside, Fiji's win was a marvellous achievement in difficult circumstances. They applied the pressure on the home team throughout the match and really should have won by a larger margin.
Some huge hits on half a dozen Fijian players from veteran winger Brian Lima rallied the 10,000-strong crowd, who enjoyed every minute of the rain-soaked match.
Star of the match for Fiji was winger Vilimoni Delasau, who scored two breath-taking tries in this his first appearance against Samoa at 15s.
The first came in the third minute of play when he kept going on and on through tackle after tackle until he reached the line. His second contained some beautiful sidesteps around his marker Afato So'oalo fullback Silao Lea'ega midway through the first half to give Fiji a 15-6 advantage.
Lea'ega had kept Samoa in touch with a couple of penalty goals but Nicky Little was off-target for Fiji, missing five of eight attempts.
Lima brought Samoa back into the game with a try on the half-time hooter.
Twelve minutes into the second period, Lima scored his second to give Samoa a 19-15 lead, but Fiji came back strongly with phase after phase until No.8 Inoke Male scored his first try for Fiji by diving over from a ruck.
Male, making his 28th appearance for Fiji, made his debut against Western Samoa in 1993 and picked a perfect time to break his duck.
Fiji then held out for the last 25 minutes as Samoa threw everything at them.
Lea'ega missed a shot at goal that would have tied the game, then So'oalo had a chance to win it in injury time when he kicked through but the ball skidded away over the deadball line.
After nearly 10 minutes of injury time, referee Paddy O'Brien blew for full time to a relieved Fijian team, who have been under pressure from the media and public back home.
"The boys were very positive today," Fiji coach Greg Smith said. "To win in Apia is just great; our forwards played with so much commitment, and Delasau was just brilliant."
Smith also hailed his namesake skipper Greg Smith for setting a shining example. The hooker so nearly pulled out of the line-up with an ankle problem just 10 minutes before kick-off, but decided he could help his team and played for one hour before hobbling off.
"He was playing in considerable pain," his coach said. "He's a great symbol of courage for the younger boys to follow."
Samoa coach John Boe patted Fiji on the back for their efforts,
admitting that the visitors deserved the win.
"Their rucking was much superior today, and that kept the pressure on our boys," Boe said. "I went into the Fijian changing room afterwards and thanked them for the game, and I meant it. They were worthy winners."
Samoa (15-1): Silao Lea'ega, Faapulou Soolefai (Brian Lima), To'o Vaega, Terry Fanolua, Afato So'oalo, Earl Va'a (Tanner Vili), Steve So'oialo, Junior Paramore, Patrick Segi (Craig Glendinning), Semo Sititi (captain), Lama Tone, Opeta Palepoi, Polo Asi, Trevor Leota (Ace Tiatia), Mark Luafalealo (Kas Lealamanu'a).
Tries: Brian Lima (2). Penalty goals: Silao Lea'ega (3)
Fiji (15-1): Norman Ligairi (Kameli Natoba), Adriu Rinakama, Saimoni Rokini, Dan Baleinadogo (Pita Bolea), Vilimoni Delasau, Nicky Little, Jacob Rauluni (Sami Rabaka), Inoke Male (Sunia Sevu), Alifereti Doviverata, Jope Tuikabe, Api Naevo (Emori Katalau), Sisa Koyamaibole, Bill Cavubati, Greg Smith - captain (Isaia Rasila), Henry Qiodravu.
Tries: Vilimoni Delasau (2), Inoke Male. Conversions: Nicky
Little (2). Penalty goal: Nicky Little.
Half time: 11-15
Referee: Paddy O'Brien (New Zealand)
Current standings
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