Samoa got their 2012 Pacific Nations Cup campaign off to a winning start on Tuesday with a 20-18 victory over Tonga at Nagoya's Mizuho Park.
Samoan fly-half Ki Anufe scored two penalties while Tonga's Kurt Morath had three as Tonga led 9-6 at half time.
The Samoans got off to a flying start after the break with scrum-half Nalu Tuigamala scoring a try only two minutes into the second half to take the lead 11-9. Anufe made it 13-9 with a conversion.
Morath closed the gap to only one point with another penalty two minutes later but skipper David Lemi consolidated Samoa's lead with a try in the 49th minute for 18-12 and Anufe completed the scoring with a conversion.
Morath, who added two more penalties, had a chance to catch up with Samoa towards the end of the second half, but his attempts at a penalty and a drop goal went wide.
The scorers:
For Samoa:
Tries: Tuigamala, Lemi
Cons: Anufe 2
Pens: Anufe 2
For Tonga:
Pens: Morath 6
Samoa: 15 Faatoina Autagavaia, 14 Ken Pisi, 13 Alvin Tavana, 12 Ki Anufe, 11 David LEmi (c), 10 Lolo Lui, 9 Nalu Tuigamala, 8 Benjamin Masoe, 7 Afa Aiono, 6 Daniel Chricton, 5 Maselino Paulino, 4 Faatiga Lemalu, 3 Logovii Mulipola, 2 Pelesiusi Fualau, 1 Sakaria Taulafo.
Replacements:16 Wayne Ole Avei, 17 Viliamu Afatia, 18 Misioka Timoteo, 19 Alafoti Faosiliva, 20 Jeremy Sua, 21 Paul Perez, 22 Patrick Faapale.
Tonga: 15 Viliami Iongi, 14 Damien Fakafanua, 13 Mafileo Kefu, 12 Alipate Fatafehi, 11 Alaska Taufa, 10 Kurt Morath, 9 Taniela Moa (C), 8 Paula Kaho, 7 Sione Vaiomounga, 6 Steven Mafi, 5 Josh Afu, 4 Joe Tuineau, 3 Kisi Pulu, 2 Ilaisa Maasi, 1 Viliami Pola
Replacements: 16 Tevita Mailau, 17 Sila Puafisi, 18 Osaiasi Pepa Kolomatangi, 19 Vili Fainga'a, 20 Thomas Palu, 21 Siale Piutau, 22 Sefa Vaka.
Comments
tweedledee49 says...
@Sonsofsamoa, agreed. Tonga couldnt execute and looked dangerous in the begininnig but well done to Samoa for holding on and scoring when the opportunity came. Especially with 9 debuting players.
I have no idea how Mailau and Piutau made this 22. I swear they were playing super rugby 3-4 days ago lol I knew they were in the squad but i thought they would start playing next week or something.
Posted 14:56 05th June 2012
sonsofsamoa says...
Samoa played an awesome match for a team which had 9 debut players as well missing 3/4 of their regular squad due to club commitments in the finals..Tonga could have smashed Samoa but just didn't have the execution (explaining all of Tongas points scored from penalties).. I say lucky Samoa's main players weren't playing otherwise it would have been a whole different story..
Posted 13:28 05th June 2012