Fiji 12 Samoa 22

Defending champions Samoa surged to the top of the standings in the 2002 Pacific Rim Tri-Nations series, which doubles as Rugby World Cup qualifiers, after they comprehensively beat Fiji by 22-12 in Nadi.

The top two teams in the tournament, which also includes Tonga, will automatically qualify for the 2003 spectacle in Australia, while the third team can qualify though the repechage.  The the moment Samoa have eight points after three games, the Fijians are on six from three and Tonga have two from two.

The Samoans, who will depart for a tour to South Africa shortly, trailed by 3-5 at the break, but took the game by the scruff of its neck and scored three tries to one in the second-half.

Samoa avenged their 16-17 defeat to Fiji in Apia three weeks ago, and should return from their tour, which includes a Test against the Springboks in Pretoria, ready to clinch the tournament.

Fiji also has a tough task at hand, and next week play New Zealand in Wellington.

The home team took the lead in the 31st minute when their Sevens star Filimoni Delasau scored the first try of the game.

Earl Va'a, who earlier had put the visitors' first points on the board with a 40th minute penalty, scored shortly after the break to give his side the lead, which they relinquished two minutes later when Viliame Satala crossed for Fiji's second -- and last -- try.

The Samoans then took over and Hurricanes wing Lome Fa'atau scored with 15 minutes left on the clock.  Va'a's conversion made the score 15-12 to Samoa, setting up an exciting finale.

However, the visitors clinched the game two minutes from full-time when Opeta Palepoi scored a try that was converted by Va'a.

The Teams:

Fiji:  1 Paula Biu, 2 Greg Smith (c), 3 Richard Nyholt, 4 Simon Raiwalui, 5 Timoci Yacabula, 6 Alifereti Doviverata, 7 Alfi Mocelutu Vuivau, 8 Sisa Koyamaibole, 9 Jacob Rauluni, 10 Nicky Little, 11 Vilimoni Delasau, 12 Viliame Satala, 13 Alfred Uluinayau, 14 Isaac Mow, 15 Norman Ligairi
Reserves:  Joseph Narruhn, Seru Rabeni, Epeli Ratuniata, Ifereimi Rawaqa, Sami Rabaka Nasagavesi, Isaia Rasila, Koli Sewabu

Samoa:  1 Jeremy Tomuli, 2 Trevor Leota, 3 Tamato Leupolu, 4 Leo Lafaiali'i, 5 Potu Leavasa, 6 Patrick Segi, 7 Semo Sititi (c), 8 Henry Tuilagi, 9 Stephen So'oilao, 10 Earl Va'a, 11 Lome Fa'atau, 12 Terry Fanolua, 13 Fereti Tuilagi, 14 Alesana Tuilagi, 15 Silao Leaega
Reserves:  Kas Lealamanu'a, Jonathan Meredith, Opeta Palepoi, Siaosi Vaili
Unused:  Aleki Toleafoa, Carl Manu, Denning Tyrell

Attendance:  10000
Referee:  Erickson w.

Points Scorers:

Fiji
Tries:  Delasau V. 1, Narruhn J. 1
Conv:  Narruhn J. 1

Samoa
Tries:  Fa'atau L. 2, Leupolu T. 1
Conv:  Va'a E.V. 2
Pen K.:  Va'a E.V. 1