Fiji take PNC title over Samoa

Rugby fans expected some magic in the Pacific Nations Cup final and they got their wishes as Fiji beat Samoa 39-29 in another pulsating game to finish off a great tournament. Eight tries in all – most of the spectacular variety – and countless bone-rattling tackles punctuated a fine afternoon triple-header at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby.

Leone Nakarawa scored within seconds of the kickoff, dancing through some soft tackles to get things underway. Josh Matavesi’s conversion put Fiji up by a converted try with only two minutes on the clock. A penalty goal stretched the lead to 10 points before Samoa finally got on the board via the boot of flyhalf Mike Stanley.

The dancing boots of Niko Matawalu got in on the act next, flying away to score a cracking try that got the crowd on their feet. Matavesi added the conversion, but Samoa got their act together and managed to hold out any further Fijian scores before the break, with Stanley knocking over two goals to keep the Manu in the hunt.

A big burst from Vavae Tuilagi put Fiji on the defensive, and eventually the cracks came with Jack Lam driving over from close range, and Stanley’s conversion closed the gap to only one point. Fa’atoina Autagavaia kicked things up a notch with a sensational burst through the middle, rounding his opposite Asaeli Tikoirotuma to finish a classic 50 metre individual score and give Samoa the lead.

Not to be outdone, Waisea Nayacalevu smashed through the Samoan line and with quick ball, Ben Volavola put a cross kick on the money to Tikoirotuma, with the offload going to Nakarawa for the big lock’s second touchdown of the game. Stanley squeezed in his fourth penalty, but then Nayacalevu struck again, finding space with an arcing outside break before offloading to Kini Murimurivalu for another tremendous score.

Not two minutes later it was Peceli Yato who cut through, making huge metres and passing to Matawalu on the two on one. The scrumhalf strolled into the in-goal untouched, but unselfishly handed it off to his captain Akapusi Qera in close support to take the honours.

Yato was sent to the naughty chair after the restart for some not-so-subtle hands in at the bottom of a ruck, and with the extra man Samoa worked another try for Autagavaia, with the winger again finishing well by rounding Napolioni Nalaga in the corner. That would be all she wrote for the Manu, however, as Volavola’s penalty in the 77th minute guaranteed the victory and the 2015 Pacific Nations Cup title for Fiji.

FIJI 39
Tries – L. Nakarawa (1, 51), N. Matawalu (19), K. Murimurivalu (59), A. Qera (61)
Cons – J. Matavesi (2, 20), B. Volavola (60, 62)
Pens – J. Matavesi (15), B. Volavola (77)
Yellow cards – P. Yato (67)

SAMOA 29
Tries – J. Lam (43), F. Autagavaia (48, 69)
Cons – M. Stanley (44)
Pens – M. Stanley (17, 23, 31, 55)

FIJI
1 C. Ma’afu (P. Ravai 63) 2 S. Koto (T. Tuapati 73) 3 M. Saulo 4 T. Cavubati (N. Soqeta 63) 5 L. Nakarawa 6 D. Waqaniburotu (P. Yato 49) 7 A. Qera (capt.) 8 M. Matadigo 9 N. Matawalu 10 J. Matavesi 11 A. Tikoirotuma (N. Nalaga 68) 12 G. Lovobalavu (B. Volavola 46) 13 W. Nayacalevu 14 M. Talebula 15 K. Murimurivalu

Not used: I. Colati, N. Kenatale

SAMOA
1 S. Taulafo (V. Afatia 72) 2 M. Leiataua 3 A. Perenise (J. Grey 72) 4 J. Tekori 5 F. Lemalu (F. Paulo 46) 6 F. Levave 7 J. Lam (T. Ioane 63) 8 V. Tuilagi 9 K. Fotuali’i (V. Afemai 72) 10 M. Stanley (P. Fa’apale 58) 11 A. Tuilagi (capt.) 12 F. Afamasaga 13 J. Leota 14 F. Autagavaia 15 A. Tuala (S. Sinoti 58)

Not used: A. Williams