Fiji Warriors fall in the Final
Savai'i Samoa are the inaugural IRB Pacific Rugby Cup champions after coming from behind to beat Fiji Warriors 10-5 in a tense final in Apia on Sunday.
The Samoan side, who enjoyed home advantage for the final owing to their position at the top of the standings, had to repel wave upon wave of Warriors attacks to claw their way back from a 5-3 half time deficit in muddy conditions to delight the 2500 home support.
A downpour before kick-off ended all hopes of seeing a free-scoring affair between the competition's top try scoring teams, but despite the tricky conditions both sides produced a compelling final of exceptional skill and passion, demonstrating exactly how the teams have developed during the competition's six weeks.
Once again Pacific Rugby Cup top-scorer Rambo Tavana was the star for Savai'i, pegging the Warriors back at every opportunity and kicking the decisive points in conditions that frustrated both goal-kickers.
Tavana opened the scoring after six minutes with his first shot at goal to give the home side an early lead, but Savai'i were very much on the back foot in a first half that the Warriors completely dominated in terms of territory and possession.
The Fijian side threw absolutely everything at Savai'i but Samoan defence held firm until five minutes from the interval.
When the try line was eventually breeched it was flanker Kiniviliame Salabogi who dotted down for the game's opening try for the Warriors after some patient build-up play.
The Warriors may have been concerned in the build-up to the match about gaining parity in the forward exchanges, but the Fijian eight produced a series of powerful drives to stretch the Savai'I defence before Salabogi broke free to give the visitors a 5-3 half time lead.
The Warriors began the second half well and silenced the partisan home support who sensed that Savai'I needed a moment of inspiration to turn the tide in the match. That moment came courtesy of a Warriors turn-over.
Savai'i capitalised on the Warriors' error to quickly work the ball downfield before centre Henry Bryce made a beautiful break to score much to the delight of the home support. Tavana's conversion nosed the Samoan side back in front.
Both sides missed penalty opportunities in a final twenty minutes that was dominated by the tricky conditions, but it was the Warriors, who with a plentiful supply of possession, threw everything at Savai'i.
However, it was to no avail as the home side held out to lift the inaugural IRB Pacific Rugby Cup trophy.
"I am so proud to have won the first IRB Pacific Rugby Cup," said an emotional Rambo Tavana immediately after the game.
"The players have worked so hard for this moment. It really is beyond words."
With the Pacific Rugby Cup now completed, attention turns to the IRB Pacific 5 Nations which begins on June 3.
For the national coaches of Fiji, Samoa and Tonga the competition has been invaluable in developing locally-based players for the Test arena and a number of players from the Pacific Rugby Cup are expected to be selected for the tournament which involves Fiji, Japan, Samoa, Tonga and the Junior All Blacks.
The scorers:
For Savai'i Samoa:
Try: Bryce
Con: Tavana
Pen: Tavana
For Fiji Warriors:
Try: Salabogi
The teams:
Savai'i Samoa: 15 Alesana Laumea, 14 Tauvaga Fa'afou, 13 Henry Bryce, 12 Pati Fetuai, 11 Esera Lauina, 10 Rambo Tavana (Key Anufe, 63), 9 Ioane Evalu, 8 Egelani Fale, 7 Iosefa Taina (Filisoa Faaiu, 45), 6 Ulia Ulia (Manaia Salavea, 85), 5 Lale Latu, 4 Luti Pese, 3 Rudy Levasa, 2 Viliamu Viliamu (Lafoga Aoelua, 61), 1 Jake Grey.
Unused replacements: 18 Robert Johnstone, 20 Gafa Siona, 22 Mika Viane.
Fiji Warriors: 15 Norman Ligairi, 14 Napolioni Vonawale, 13 Kameli Ratuvou, 12 Julian Vulakoro (Tevita Latianara, 85), 11 Mosese Luveitasau, 10 Josevata Tora, 9 Emosi Vucago (Aporosa Vata, 80), 8 Sisa Koyamaibole (Etonia Naba, 81), 7 Akapusi Qera, 6 Kini Salabogi, 5 Jone Qovu (Wame Lewaravu, 69), 4 Isoa Domolailai, 3 Apisai Turukawa (Sikeli Gavidi, 68), 2 Sunia Koto(Maciu Vakaruru, 83), 1 Apisai Nagi.
Unused replacements: 21 Jiuta Lutumailagi
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