Saturday, 9 July, 2005

Samoa crush Fiji in Apia

Manu Samoa gained a measure of revenge for last year's mauling by defeating the FMF Flying Fijians 36-10 in Apia on Saturday, outscoring the visitors three tries to one. Fly-half Roger Warren kicked 21 points.

The Manu scored three well-crafted tries, the first one to winger Alesana Tuilagi. The other two went to the captain, Semo Sititi, and replacement hooker Loleni Tafunai as the Samoan forwards set the platform for the victory.

Fiji outdid Samoa in the set pieces, however, particularly in the line-outs where Samoa failed to win a few of their own throws.

Fiji scored all their points in the first half, first with a penalty goal to first-five Nicky Little and then a wonderful try to fullback Norman Ligairi. Little was successful with the conversion.

Fiji were full of promise throughout the match but failed to deliver at crucial moments.

Late in the second half, Fiji were twice within a whisker of scoring, but for the final pass went to ground on both occasions.

Samoa’s Press Officer Seti Afoa said, “It was a much more physical match than Manu Samoa’s game against Tonga last week.”

The two No.11s, Vilimoni Delasau and Alesana Tuilagi, spent 10 minutes in the sin bin for fighting four minutes into the second half.

Delasau didn’t return to the field after suffering a cut to the eye during the fight, so he was replaced by Maikeli Nadridri.

Samoa prop Muliufi Salanoa from Falefa suffered a bad knee injury and could be out of action for four months.

After the match, Fiji were looking to cite the Tuilagi for the upper cut that sidelined Delasau. However, the Match Commissioner, Tim Harland from Australia, was satisfied that the matter was adequately dealt with on the field by referee Matt Goddard.

Manu Samoa now has a week to rest and recover for its away games.

Fiji will depart for Nuku’alofa on Monday to play Ikale Tahi Tonga before meeting Manu Samoa in Suva on Saturday, 30 July.


Saturday, 9 July, 2005
Samoa 36 Fiji 10
RWC 2007 Qualifier
Apia Park, Apia
Half-time: 19-10
Referee: Matt Goddard (Australia)
Touch judges: George Ayoub, Brett Bowden (Australia)

SAMOA: 15 Lolo Lui, 14 Brian Lima, 13 Anitelea Tuilagi, 12 Terry Fanolua, 11 Alesana Tuilagi (yellow card 44-53), 10 Roger Warren, 9 Notise Tauafao, 8 Semo Sititi (capt), 7 Iosefo Taina, 6 Simaika Mikaele, 5 Opeta Palepoi, 4 Daniel Leo, 3 Muliufi Salanoa, 2 Jonathon Meredith, 1 Justin Va’a.
Reserves: Loleni Tafunai, Donald Kerslake, Pelu Taele-Pavihi, John Senio, Faletose Talapusi, Davod Lemi.
Coach: Michael Jones
Tries: Alesana Tuilagi, Sititi, Tafunai; Conversions: Warren (3); Penalty goals: Warren (4); Dropped goal: Warren.

FIJI: 15 Norman Ligairi, 14 Mosese Luveitasau, 13 Epeli Ruivadra, 12 Seremaia Bai (Jo Tora 70), 11 Vilimoni Delasau (yellow card 44-53) (Maikeli Nadridri 54), 10 Nicky Little, 9 Jacob Rauluni (capt) (Mosese Rauluni 75), 8 Sisa Koyamaibole (Jone Qovu 58), 7 Apolosi Satala, 6 Akapusi Qera, 5 Isoa Domolailai (Langi Peters 70), 4 Ifereimi Rawaqa, 3 Bill Cavubati, 2 Sunia Koto (Bill Gadolo 68), 1 Josese Bale.
Coach: Wayne Pivac
Try: Ligairi; Conversion: Little; Penalty goal: Little.

Scoring sequence (Samoa’s scores shown first)
5min – PEN GOAL SAMOA, Warren – 3-0
10min – PEN GOAL SAMOA, Warren – 6-0
18min – PEN GOAL SAMOA, Warren – 9-0
23min – TRY SAMOA, Alesana Tuilagi; conversion Warren – 16-0
29min – PEN GOAL FIJI, Little – 16-3
31min – TRY FIJI, Ligairi; conversion Little – 16-10
37min – PEN GOAL SAMOA, Warren – 19-10
Half-time
44min – Yellow card SAMOA, Alesana Tuilagi
44min – Yellow card FIJI, Vilimoni Delasau
49min – TRY SAMOA, Sititi; conversion Warren – 26-10
72min – DG SAMOA, Warren – 29-10
82min – TRY SAMOA, Va’a; conversion Warren – 36-10
Full-time


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