Fiji 22 Samoa 19

Fiji kept its chances of making the Pacific Rim semifinals by beating Samoa 21-19 at Apia.

Two tries apiece by Fijian Sevens star Vilimoni Delasau and Samoan wing Brian Lima meant victory depended on the boots of Nicky Leto and Silao Laeaga.

Fiji's Leto scored three penalties and a conversion to give the visitors the two-point win.  Laeaga could only manage three penalties, missing both conversion attempts.

This win moves Fiji from last place on the Pacific Rim table to joint top-place with Samoa on 10 points.  The top two teams in the Pacific Islands pool qualify for the Pacific Rim semifinals in Tokyo next month and game automatic entry to the 2003 World Cup.  Samoa and Tonga have a game in had against the Fijians.  Japan and Canada have already qualified for the semifinals.

Fiji were ahead 15-11 at half-time, thanks to Delasau's spectacular tries, the first of which came in the opening minute.  Laeaga put the home team in the lead with two penalties, but Delasau struck again, running about 50 metres to score out wide.

Lima took the field midway through the first half and immediately made an impact.  Not only did he score the first of his tries quickly, but he also sharpened his team's backline, putting more pressure on the Fijian defence.

Lima struck again the second half, taking the score to 18-16 to the visitors.  And then it was up to the kickers.  Samoa went ahead 19-18 with 15 minutes to go, but Leto nullified that with a penalty that gave his team the win.

The Teams:

Fiji:  1 Billy Cavubati, 2 Greg Smith (c), 3 Henry Qiodravu, 4 XKO7, 5 Apisai Naevo, 6 Alifereti Doviverata, 7 Jope Tuikabe, 8 Inoke Male, 9 Jacob Rauluni, 10 Nicky Little, 11 Vilimoni Delasau, 12 XBA6, 13 Saimoni Rokini, 14 XRI1, 15 Norman Ligairi
Reserves:  XBO3, Emori Katalau, Kameli Natoba, Sami Rabaka Nasagavesi, Isaia Rasila, XSE6

Samoa:  1 Polo Asi, 2 Trevor Leota, 3 Mark Luafalealo, 4 Opeta Palepoi, 5 Lama Tone, 6 MSE2, 7 Semo Sititi (c), 8 Junior Paramore, 9 Stephen So'oilao, 10 Earl Va'a, 11 Afato So'oalo, 12 Terry Fanolua, 13 To'o Vaega, 14 Fa'apulou So'olefai, 15 Silao Leaega
Reserves:  Ace Tiatia, Craig Glendinning, Kas Lealamanu'a, Brian Lima, Tanner Vili

Points Scorers:

Fiji
Tries:  Delasau V. 2, Male I. 1
Conv:  Little N.T. 2
Pen K.:  Little N.T. 1

Samoa
Tries:  Lima B.P. 2
Pen K.:  Leaega S. 3