Six-try Fiji see off Samoa to make perfect start to Pacific Nations Cup campaign

Fiji made an excellent start to their Pacific Nations Cup campaign when they sealed a 42-16 victory against Samoa in the tournament opener in Suva on Friday.

Despite the huge winning margin, Fiji had to work hard to clinch the result as Samoa were competitive during the early stages of this encounter and held a slender 16-15 lead at half-time.

In the end, Fiji outscored their visitors by six tries to one with openside flanker Kitione Salawa leading the way with a deserved hat-trick and their other five-pointers were scored by Iosefo Masi, Frank Lomani and Vuate Karawalevu. Caleb Muntz finished with a 12-point haul after succeeding with three penalties and as many conversions.

Samoa‘s points came via a try from Pisi Leilua and three penalties via the boot of D’Angelo Leuila.

Fine start from Fiji

Fiji were fastest out of the blocks with Salawa crossing for the opening try as early as the fourth minute before Samoa struck back with a three-pointer off the kicking tee from fly-half Leuila narrowing the gap.

Left wing Leiula then crossed for a converted try before another penalty from his namesake gave Samoa a 13-5 lead by the 26th minute.

Fiji narrowed the gap with a well-taken try from Masi on the half-hour mark which Muntz converted which meant the match was evenly poised as Samoa led 13-12.

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Leuila and Muntz then traded further penalties just before the interval with the visitors having their tails up as they held a slender one-point lead at the break.

However, that would be last time they would score points as Fiji dominated proceedings in the second half. The hosts took the lead in the 44th minute when Muntz slotted a penalty and they were up 32-16 by the 60th minute following further tries from Salawa and Lomani.

They continued to hold the upper hand as the match progressed with further tries from Karawalevu and Salawa hammering home their dominance as they clinched a deserved win.

The teams

Fiji: 15 Vuate Karawalevu, 14 Selesitino Ravutaumada, 13 Iosefo Baleiwairiki, 12 Inia Tabuavou, 11 Epeli Momo, 10 Caleb Muntz, 9 Frank Lomani, 8 Elia Canakaivata, 7 Kitione Salawa, 6 Meli Derenalagi, 5 Temo Mayanavanua, 4 Isoa Nasilasila, 3 Samu Tawake, 2 Tevita Ikanivere, 1 Haereiti Hetet
Replacements: 16 Mesulame Dolokoto, 17 Eroni Mawi, 18 Peni Ravai, 19 Mesake Vocevoce, 20 Albert Tuisue, 21 Moses Sorovi, 22 Isaiah Ravula, 23 Apisalome Vota

Samoa: 15 Tomasi Alosio, 14 Tuna Tuitama, 13 Lalomilo Lalomilo, 12 Alapati Leiua, 11 Pisi Leilua, 10 Alai D’Angelo Leuila, 9 Melani Matavao, 8 Olajuwon Noa, 7 Murphy Taramai, 6 Theo McFarland, 5 Sam Slade, 4 Ben Nee-Nee, 3 Marco Fepulea’i, 2 Andrew Tuala, 1 Aki Seiuli
Replacements: 16 Sama Malolo, 17 Tietie Tuimauga, 18 Brook Toomalatai, 19 Senio Toleafoa, 20 Jonah Mau’u, 21 Danny Tusitala, 22 Afa Moleli, 23 Stacey Ili

Referee: James Doleman (NZL)

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