Fiji turn the tables on Manu Samoa

Good win in Suva

In the last Pacific Tri-Nations match which doubles as a World Cup qualifier, Fiji recovered from their defeat in Apia to beat Manu Samoa 21-15. The victory still left them second to Samoa, but a not unsatisfactory position.

To have overtaken Samoa Fiji needed to win by 36 points or more.

Samoa started off well and led 6-0 through two  penalties by flyhalf Roger Warren. Then the Fijian pack went on the rampage with No.8 Sisa Koyamaibole in the van.

A run by Koyamaibole set up Fijis first try, to inside centre, Maleli Kunavore. Koyamaibole charged upfield after a turn-over forty metres out, Jack Prasad carried it on with assistance from Seremaia Bai who eluded four Samoan tacklers and outwitted the defence, and gave the final pass to Kunavore who scored out wide. Bai converted to give Fiji the lead.

After two penalty goals, Fiji led 13-6 at half-time.

Samoa goaled a third penalty in the second half and looked to be getting on top but their efforts were spoilt by poor handling.

In the set pieces the Samoa scrum was under tremendous pressure, but did well enough to steal a tighthead, the only one of the match.

Samoa also spoiled and won the line-out battle by winning ball off the taller Fijians against the throw.

Kunavore scored his second try after Warren's clearing kick had been charged down. Veteran Nicky Little, on for Prasad, missed the conversion.

A second bout of fighting in the match ended with Census Johnson, only recently back from suspension, and Kunavore sent to the sin-bin. They ended there as time ran out.

Three times in the second half Samoa came close to scoring. Centre Anitelea Tuilagi suffered cruel fate. Once he had the ball taken from his hands as he was about to score and four times he dropped the wet ball when tries looked on.

For doing best in the qualifiers Samoa go into the 2007 pool with England and South Africa. Fiji go into the pool with Australia and Wales and Tonga, again, go into répechage with the possibility of ending in Pool A with England, South Africa and Samoa.

Scorers:

For Fiji:
Tries: Kunavore 2
Con: Bai
Pens: Bai 3

For Samoa:
Pens: Warren 5

Teams:

Samoa: 15  Tanner Vili, 14 Lome Fa'atau, 13 Anitelea Tuilagi, 12 Terry Fanolua, 11 Alesana Tuilagi, 10 Roger Warren, 9 Notise Tauafao, 8 Semo Sititi (captain), 7 Iosefa Taina, 6 Simaka Mikaele, 5 Daniel Leo, 4 Opeta Palepoi,  3 Census Johnson, 2 Jonathon Meredith, 1 Justin Va'a.
Replacements: 16 Loleni Tafunai,  17 Donald Kerslake, 18 Paul Tupai, 19 Daniel Farani, 20 John Senio, 21 Faletoese Talapusi, 22 David Lemi.

Coaches:  Laauli Michael Jones, Papaliitetele Peter Fatialofa, Toleafoa Andy Aiolupo
Manager:  Tupaimatuna Romeo Ah Chong

Fiji: 15 Norman Ligairi, 14 Kamilei Ratulou, 13 Mosese Luveitasau, 12 Maleli Kunavore, 11 Seremaia Bai, 10 Jack Prasad, 9 Mosese Rauluni (captain), 8 Sisa Koyamaibole, 7 Jone Qovu, 6 Aca Ratuva, 5 Isoa Domolailai, 4 Ifereimi Rawaqa,  3 Bill Cavubati, 2 Bill Gadolo, 1 Josese Bale.
Replacements: 16 Sunia Koto, 17 Jone Railomo, 18 Akapusi Qera, 19 Langi Peters, 20 Saiasi Fuli, 21 Josevata Tora, 22 Nicky Little

Coaches: Wayne Pivac, Paul Feeney
Manager: Simon Poll

Referee: Scott Young (Australia).
Touch Judges: Brett Bowden (Aust), Craig Joubert (South Africa)