Manu Samoa beat the Ikale Tahi, the Tongan Fish Eagles, 31-13 at Apia Park to go to the top of the Tri-Nations competition consisting of Fiji, Manu Samoa and Tonga.
The Samoans led 13-6 at half-time, but clinched the victory only with a final surge.
In the end they triumphed by four tries to one.
It was a blue day as every Samoan had been encouraged to wear blue in support of their team in response to the request by Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi who is the prime minister of Samoa and also the Chairman of the Samoan Rugby Football Union. The whole of the country's cabinet wore blue in support of the rugby team.
"The team needs as much support as they can and I encourage everyone to get behind the team," Tuilaepa said.
"Samoa's hopes and prayers will be with you," he told the team.
Surprisingly the Tongan captain, Inoke Afeaki, who has been suffering with an AC Joint injury, was cleared to play. Not so Samoa's Brain Lima who was concussed playing his 50th Test for his country against the Ikale Tahi, in Nuku'alofa recently and has subsequently damaged ligaments.
The Teams:
Samoa: 1 Taufa'ao Filise, 2 Viliami Ma'asi, 3 John Pale, 4 Ben Hur Kivalu, 5 Nisifolo Naufahu, 6 'Inoke Afeaki (c), 7 Va'a Toloke, 8 Viliami Vaki, 9 Sililo Martens, 10 Pierre Hola, 11 Sione Fonua, 12 Andrew Mailei, 13 Fepiko Tatafu, 14 Sam Hala, 15 Gus Leger
Unused: Vikilani Afeaki, Stanley Afeaki, Tony Alatini, Christopher Hala'ufi, Nick Hau, Latiume Maka, Ma'afu Pale
Referee: O'brien p.
Points Scorers:
Samoa
Tries: Seveali'i E. 1, So'oilao S. 2
Conv: Va'a E.V. 2
Pen K.: Va'a E.V. 4
Tonga
Tries: Fonua S. 1
Conv: Mailei A. 1
Pen K.: Mailei A. 2
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