Fiji edge Samoa in low-scoring contest

A below-par Fiji side came away 10-3 winners over a determined Samoa at ANZ National Stadium in Suva on Saturday. The final match of the Pacific Nations Cup was fiercely  contested but not quite the high-flying spectacle that had been anticipated as the home side ran out of gas in their fifth game in five weeks.

Neither side was able to gain a foothold in the opening quarter. Handling errors and committed defense shutting down any potential breakthroughs. Frank Lomani and Viliame Mata each required running repairs after heavy collisions. Meanwhile UJ Seuteni had two shots at goal but missed each, pulling one to the left and hitting the upright with the second.

The stalemate finally ended in the 33rd minute as Ben Volavola landed his first attempt at goal following a multi-phase attack from the Fijians. Seuteni tried to even the scores with a drop goal attempt but pulled it wide as well. He was on advantage, however, and redeemed himself off the tie to leave the score tied at the intermission.

Some classic Fijian flair finally arrived early in the second half. Sam Matavesi won a turnover inside his own end with Lomani quickly passing to Semi Radradra in space. Quick passes from Levani Botia and Lomani again in support ended with Vereniki Goneva sprinting home from 30 meters despite the best efforts of the cover defense.

Samoa lost Seuteni in the build-up and then TJ Ioane limped off, both nursing bad ankles. Jack Lam strangely turned down an easy three points to kick for the corner just shy of the hour mark and the decision did not pay off as Fiji turned the ball over. The Manu stayed parked in the Fijian end in the final quarter with Ahsee Tuala nearly scoring only for Goneva’s last-gasp tackle doing just enough to cause a knock-on over the line and preserve the victory.

Both sides will reconvene for a double-header at Eden Park in Auckland on August 31. Fiji will play against Tonga while Samoa take on a New Zealand Heartland XV.

SCORING

FIJI 10
Tries – V. Goneva (43′)
Cons – B. Volavola 1/1 (44′)
Pens – B. Volavola 1/1 (33′)
Yellow cards – P. Yato (75′)

SAMOA 3
Pens – U. Seuteni 1/3 (39′)
Drop goals – U. Seuteni 0/1

TEAMS

FIJI
1 Campese Ma’afu (17 Eroni Mawi 46′), 2 Sam Matavesi (16 Mesulame Dolokoto 70′), 3 Peni Ravai (18 Kali Tawake 46′), 4 Tevita Cavubati (19 Tevita Ratuva 63′), 5 Leone Nakarawa, 6 Dominiko Waqaniburotu (capt), 7 Semi Kunatani, 8 Viliame Mata (20 Peceli Yato 18′-24′, 57′), 9 Frank Lomani (21 Niko Matawalu 5′-12′, 77′), 10 Ben Volavola, 11 Patrick Osborne, 12 Levani Botia (22 Josh Matavesi 77′), 13 Semi Radradra, 14 Vereniki Goneva, 15 Setareki Tuicuvu (23 Kini Murimurivalu 70′)

SAMOA
1 Logovi’i Mulipola (17 Jordan Lay 66′), 2 Motu Matu’u (16 Seilala Lam 53′), 3 Paul Alo-Emile (18 James Lay 66′), 4 Filo Paulo, 5 Kane Leaupepe, 6 Chris Vui, 7 Jack Lam (capt.), 8 TJ Ioane (20 Henry Stowers 51′), 9 Dwayne Polataivao, 10 UJ Seuteni (22 AJ Alatimu 45′), 11 Belgium Tuatagaloa, 12 Reynold Lee-Lo, 13 Kieron Fonotia, 14 Alapati Leiua, 15 Ahsee Tuala

Not used: 19 Senio Toleafoa, 21 Pele Cowley, 23 Henry Taefu

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Brendon Pickerill (NZRU)
Assistants: Damon Murphy (ARU) & Jordan Way (ARU)