Tonga defeat Samoa at Americas Pacific Challenge

Tonga ‘A’ defeated Samoa ‘A’ by 31-28 in Round 3 of the Americas Pacific Challenge in Montevideo on Sunday. While the scores were very close, the Tongans outscored Samoa by five tries to four and were the dominant side in terms of possession and field territory.

After Ricky Pauli Ene couldn’t take advantage of an early shot at goal it was Tonga who scored first through James Faiva. The strongly-built flyhalf ran a hard line as a second receiver to bust through and touch down. Samiu Muna’s conversion made it a full seven points.

Samoa struck back with a long-range try of sorts. Speedy fullback Paulo Scanlan hacked the ball down the pitch and though he didn’t quite win the race, Melani Matavao was there to wrestle the ball away from Sione Ika and fall in under the posts. Ene made the simple kick to tie the game.

Tonga responded with two tries in the space of five minutes after La’aloi Leilua was binned for a tip-tackle. A multi-phase attack ended with Posiana Kamoto barging into the corner and then Muna was left unmarked on the blindside from an attacking scrum for an easy walk-in. Neither would be converted however and the gap was only 10 points.

Seven of those were erased before the break when Elisapeta Alofipo slipped and twisted through a pair of defenders. Ene’s kick was good to make the score 17-14 at halftime.

The teams exchanged two scores each in quick succession starting with Leiataua Kilifi from a driving maul. Matavao got his second, a fine finish after supporting Lester Sefo’s line break, and then Leilua made up for his card by driving over the line to give Samoa their first lead. It would be short-lived however, as Topui Sekona barreled over for Tonga’s fifth try of the day to close out the scoring.

Tonga finished with two wins from three while Samoa only tasted one victory in the opening round against the USA. The two sides will wait the outcomes of the final two matches of the tournament before learning their ultimate finishing spots.

 

SCORING

TONGA 31
Tries – J. Faiva (7’), P. Kamoto (32’), S. Muna (37’), L. Kilifi (44’), T. Sekona (58’)
Cons – S. Muna 3/5 (8’, 45’, 59’)

SAMOA 28
Tries – M. Matavao 2 (17’, 47’), E. Alofipo (40’), L. Leilua (54’)
Cons – R. Ene 4/4 (18’, 40’, 48’, 55’)
Pens – R. Ene 0/1
Yellow cards – L. Leilua (30’), M. Tapili (63’)

 

TEAMS

TONGA ‘A’
1 Makasine Lutua, 2 Leiataua Kilifi, 3 Solomone Kioa, 4 Vainanuma Manu, 5 Katilimoni Tu’ipulotu, 6 Taniela Na’a, 7 Sione Tupou, 8 Topui Sekona, 9 Samiu Muna, 10 James Faiva, 11 Fetuli Paea (capt.), 12 Paki Afu, 13 Fe’ofa’aki Kaumavae, 14 Posiana Kamoto, 15 Sione Ika

Replacements: 16 Loiola Vea, 17 Misinale Taukalo, 18 Faiva Sailosi, 19 Atunaisa Faka’osi, 20 Aisea Puaka, 21 Kuli Tonga, 22 Heamatangi Tu’ivai, 23 Sosaia Tokai

SAMOA ‘A’
1 Rodney Tapu, 2 Ripine Fualau, 3 Noel Sanft, 4 Ikifusi Matamu, 5 Aukusitino Ulugia, 6 Mikaele Tapili (capt.), 7 Lester Sefo, 8 Fili Setu, 9 Melani Matavao, 10 Ricky Pauli Ene, 11 Taimua Malielegaoi, 12 Kaino Thomsen, 13 La’aloi Leilua, 14 Elisapeta Alofipo, 15 Paulo Scanlan

Replacements: 16 Tiamu Viliamu, 17 Setu Enoka, 18 Alofa’aga Sao, 19 Joseph Fuimaono, 20 Suamalie Tuiletufuga, 21 Iafeta Purcell, 22 Aukuso Fruean, 23 Tagaloa Fonoti

 

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Federico Anselmi (UAR)