Samoa defeat Tonga in muddy Apia

Samoa recovered from a seven-point halftime deficit to defeat Tonga 25-17 in the opening match of the Pacific Nations Cup. It was played in deplorable conditions at Apia Park, with standing water and repeat set pieces reducing the field to a bowl of mud and severely limiting attacking rugby.

Kicking for field position dominated the first half and led to the opening try just ten minutes in. Ahsee Tuala couldn’t handle Sami Fisilau’s kick ahead, and the loose ball was hacked ahead by Cooper Vuna. It would come to a rest in-goal with the former Bath winger winning the race for the touchdown.

The Manu managed only a single penalty kick from UJ Seuteni in the first half, with a long range attempt from Johnny Vaili falling short. Tonga would score once more through their forwards, the giant figure of Ben Tameifuna blasting over for a try on the stroke of halftime to take a 10-3 lead.

A rare passing sequence led to a try for Alapati Leiua early in the second half. Chris Vui went off the top at the lineout on halfway and Afa Amosa popped up on Seuteni’s shoulder to cut clean through the Tongan line. With only the cover defense to beat, he passed to Leiua who slid into the corner. Seuteni somehow landed the conversion to push Samoa further in front.

Tonga retook the lead through their forwards just ahead of the hour mark. After numerous phases replacement hooker Sefo Sakalia managed to slip a tackle and spin home under the posts. James Faiva chipped over the conversion to make it a four-point lead.

Discipline let the Ikale Tahi down in the closing minutes. A late shoulder charge from Fotu Lokotui on Leiua landed the flanker in the sin bin, and just three minutes later a no-arms chop tackle from Sakalia reduced Tonga to only 13 men. Amosa crashed over off the back of the ensuing scrum, and then a spilled ball from Leon Fukofuka gave Belgium Tuatagaloa an easy try to end any hopes of recovery.

Next for Tonga is a trip to Osaka where Japan awaits on Saturday. Samoa head to Fiji for a neutral-venue clash against the USA.

 

SCORING

TONGA 17
Tries – C. Vuna (10’), B. Tameifuna (40’), S. Sakalia (58’)
Cons – J. Faiva 1/3 (59’)
Yellow cards – F. Lokotui (67’), S. Sakalia (70’)

SAMOA 25
Tries – A. Leiua (43’), A. Amosa (71’), B. Tuatagaloa (79’)
Cons – U. Seutani 1/1 (44’), A. Alatimu 1/1 (72’)
Pens – U. Seuteni 2/2 (22’, 49’), J. Vaili 0/1

 

TEAMS

SAMOA
1 Logovi’i Mulipola (17 Jordan Lay 51’), 2 Motu Matu’u (capt.) (16 Rau Niuia 51’), 3 Paul Alo-Emile (18 Alofa’aga Sao 77’), 4 Filo Paulo (19 Senio Toleafoa 55’), 5 Kane Leaupepe, 6 Chris Vui, 7 TJ Ioane (20 Alamanda Motuga 73’), 8 Afa Amosa, 9 Auvasa Faleali’i (21 Dwayne Polataivao 65’), 10 UJ Seuteni (22 AJ Alatimu 65’), 11 Belgium Tuatagaloa, 12 Reynold Lee-Lo, 13 Alapati Leiua, 14 Johnny Vaili (23 JJ Taulagi 67’), 15 Ahsee Tuala

TONGA
1 Paea Fa’anunu (17 Toma Taufa 67’), 2 Elvis Taione (capt.) (16 Sefo Sakalia 53’), 3 Ben Tameifuna (18 Ma’afu Fia HT {20 Siua Halanukonuka 73’}), 4 Leva Fifita, 5 Sam Lousi (19 Onehunga Havili HT), 6 Zane Kapeli (2 Elvis Taione 70’), 7 Ma’ama Vaipulu, 8 Sione Vailanu (21 Fotu Lokotui 53’), 9 Sami Fisilau (22 Leon Fukofuka 56’), 10 James Faiva, 11 Tevita Halaifonua, 12 Cooper Vuna, 13 Mali Hingano, 14 Viliami Lolohea (23 Otumaka Mausia HT), 15 Nafi Tuitavake

 

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Mike Fraser (NZRU)
Assistants: Graham Cooper (ARU) & Kaveni Talemaivalagi (FRU)