Defending champions Fiji opened the Pacific Nations Cup with a powerful 42-16 victory over Samoa.
There may need been some anxiousness on the Nationwide Stadium in Suva when the guests turned with a 16-15 deficit at halftime.
As a substitute, Fiji scored 27 unanswered factors, a Samoan rut setting in when D’Angelo Leuila dispatched a kick-off to begin the second half out on the complete. A ruck penalty adopted a scrum penalty after which a profitable kick by Caleb Muntz.
So as to add insult to damage Fijian lock Temo Mayanavanua was sinbinned within the thirty sixth minute following a excessive deal with.
Samoa by no means regained the lead after Muntz’s second penalty aim and didn’t seem like scoring within the final half an hour after winger Pisi Leilua shelled a Garryowen from Leuila that might have resulted in a try to combative flanker Senio Toleafoa bobbled the ball whereas stretching over the road.
Fixture
Pacific Nations Cup
Fiji
Samoa
The match took a seismic flip within the 54th minute. Fijian blindside Meli Derenalagi strode clear in an electrifying 40m burst. Frank Lomani loomed in assist, however a jersey pull by Samoan winger Pisi Leilua denied the livewire halfback an opportunity to take a doable try-scoring go. Leilua was sinbinned. From the next lineout, openside Kitione Salawa powered over.
With a 25-16 lead, Fiji discovered their groove. Second-five Epeli Momo dribbled a kick behind the blue wall that fellow winger Selesitino Ravutaumada hacked infield. The pressing Lomani pursued with simply reward.
Samoan right-wing Tuna Tuitama was dismissed to the sinbin for a tip deal with at which level Fiji was rampant. Their rising perception was finest epitomised when debutant Vuate Karawalevu crossed out extensive following an outstanding go in visitors by fellow teenager Isiah Ravula-Armstrong.
Earlier Samoa made a horror begin once they did not safe the preliminary kick-off and conceded a penalty gifting Fiji a scrum. Salawa scored supporting a strong cost by Elia Canakaivata.
With Fiji scorching on assault, Samoan openside Murphy Taramai gained a turnover that triggered a momentum shift.
Samoa loved 63% of territory within the first spell, forcing Fiji to make 89 tackles to 42 as they surged to a 13-5 lead.
Samoa’s solitary strive within the seventeenth minute was a cracker. Halfback Melani Matavao charged up the center of the ruck, casting apart a hooker and a prop earlier than offloading along with his proper arm within the air to Pisi Leilua.
D’Angelo Leuila was on course with all 4 kicks. Second-five Alapati Leiua and loosehead prop Aka Seiuli had been stuffed with working.
Within the twenty eighth minute, an aimless punt by Muntz simply outdoors his 22 was knocked on by Samoan fullback Tomasi Alosai inside his 22. From a secure scrum, middle Iosefo Baleiwairiki beat 4 gamers and was toppled narrowly wanting the strip. Baleiwairiki bounced again to his toes shortly and wouldn’t be stopped a ruck later. Lomami provding a bullet go.
Muntz and Lomami mixed for 19 first-half tackles as Samoa employed a predictable one-pass method to try to blunt Fiji. When errors compounded, concepts appeared disspared to as Fiji cruised to their largest win in 20 years towards Samoa.
Lomani was named man of the match. Salawa, who’s performed 27 video games for Fijian Dura, had a memorable outing and Mutnz was examined with 17 tackles, turning into extra assured all through. Sam Slade topped the Samoan deal with rely with a dozen and Taramai was sometimes tireless.
Kiwi James Doleman officiated his twelfth worldwide. Fiji has gained 17 of their final 21 assessments in Suva and enjoys a 32-21 benefit in all matches towards Fiji stretching again to 1924.
Fiji: 42 (Kitione Salawa 3, Iosefo Baleiwairiki, Frank Lomani, Vuate Karawalevu; Caleb Muntz 3 con, 2 pen) Samoa: 16 (Pisi Leilua strive; D’Angelo Leuila 3 pen con) HT: 15-16
