Turner spares Australia A embarrassment

Wing Lachlan Turner scored a late try to salvage a draw for Australia A in Fiji, in their final Pacific Nations Cup match in Suva on Saturday.

Clint Schifcofske could even have nicked a win for the visitors, but he missed the conversion from wide out.

The Fijians had stormed into a 14-9 lead, with wing Filimone Bolavucu scoring two terrific length-of-the-pitch tries, both converted by fly-half Waisea Luveniyali.

The hot weather made things tricky for the Aussies, who made a stack of errors and lost hooker Tatufu Polota-Nau to injury just after the break.

Trailing 7-3 at the break, Cameron Shepherd doubled his tally of penalties before Schifcofske put the visitors in the lead with another pot at goal.

But Bolavucu intercepted a careless Ryan Cross pass for what looked to be the winning score for the Fijians.

But right at the death, the hosts' energy flagged, and the Australian pack shoved their Fijian counterpart off their own scrum ball, allowing Turner to wriggle through.

The scorers:

For Fiji:
Tries:  Bolavucu 2
Cons:  Luveniyali 2

For Australia A:
Try:  Turner
Pens:  Shepherd 2, Schifcofske

Fiji:  15 Norman Ligairi, 14 Isoa Neivua, 13 Kameli Ratuvou, 12 Seru Rabeni, 11 Filimone Bolavucu, 10 Waisea Luveniyali, 9 Jone Daunivucu, 8 Sisa Koyamaibole, 7 Aca Ratuva, 6 Semisi Naevo, 5 Kele Leawere (c), 4 Ifereimi Rawaqa, 3 Henry Qiodravu, 2 Sunia Koto, 1 Alefoso Yalayalatabua.
Replacements:  16 Vereniki Sauturaga, 17 Apisai Turukawa, 18 Peniasi Tokakece, 19 Dale Tonawai, 20 Moses Rauluni, 21 Sisa Waqa, 22 Gabiriele Lovobalavu

Australia 'A':  15 Cameron Shepherd, 14 Digby Ioane, 13 Junior Pelesasa, 12 Ryan Cross, 11 Lachie Turner, 10 Berrick Barnes, 9 Josh Valentine, 8 David Lyons, 7 David Pocock, 6 Hugh McMeniman, 5 James Horwill, 4 Alister Campbell (c), 3 Nic Henderson, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Rodney Blake.
Replacements:  16 Sean Hardman, 17 Gareth Hardy, 18 Dean Mumm, 19 Jone Tawake, 20 Josh Holmes, 21 Sam Norton-Knight, 22 Clinton Schifcofske.

Referee:  Chris Pollock (New Zealand)
Touch judges:  Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand), Napolione Locoloco (Fiji)

Junior ABs thrash brave Japan

Tane Tu'ipulotu and Stephen Brett scored tries early in the second half Sunday as New Zealand's Junior All Blacks defeated Japan 51-3 in the final match of the Pacific Nations Cup.

The Junior All Blacks, who defeated Australia A 50-0 a week ago to clinch the title, built up a 10-3 lead at halftime.

Tu'ipulotu widened the lead to 15-3 four minutes after the break and Brett gave the visitors a commanding 20-3 lead two minutes later.

Replacement Stephen Donald added his second of two tries just minutes before the whistle to complete the scoring for the visitors.

The Japanese, coached by All Black legend John Kirwan, can take heart from their effort in the opening thirty minutes, after which they were leading 3-0.

But their courageous stand was soon halted by the inevitable All Black surge in the final fifty minutes.

The Junior All Blacks finish the tournament with a perfect record.

The scorers:

For the Junior All Blacks:
Tries:  Crockett, Tu'ipulotu, Brett, Tuitavake, Nonu, Wulf, Donald 2
Cons:  Brett 2, Donald 2
Pen:  Brett

For Japan

Pen:  Ando

Teams:

Japan:  15 Bryce Robins, 14 Christian Loamanu, 13 Yuta Imamura, 12 Shotaro Onishi, 11 Hirotoki Onozawa, 10 Eiji Ando, 9 Yuki Yatomi, 8 Hare Makiri, 7 Glen Marsh, 6 Yasumori Watanabe, 5 Luke Thompson, 4 Hitoshi Ono, 3 Tomokazu Soma, 2 Yuji Matsubara, 1 Masahito Yamamoto.
Replacements:  16 Yusuke Aoki, 17 Ryo Yamamura, 18 Takanori Kumagae, 19 Takamichi Sasaki, 20 Koichi Ohigashi, 21 Kousei Ono, 22 Go Aruga.

Junior All Blacks:  15 Scott Hamilton, 14 Rudi Wulf, 13 Ma'a Nonu, 12 Tane Tu'ipulotu, 11 Anthony Tuitavake, 10 Stephen Brett, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Sione Lauaki, 7 Daniel Braid (c), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Tom Donnelly, 4 Hoani MacDonald, 3 Campbell Johnstone, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements:  16 Derren Witcombe, 17 John Afoa, 18 Kieran Read, 19 Mose Tuiali'i, 20 Andrew Ellis, 21 Stephen Donald, 22 Sam Tuitupou.

Referee:  Tim Hayes (Wales)
Touch judges:  David Changleng (Scotland), Taizo Hiraybayashi (Japan)

Junior ABs make hard work of easy win

The Junior All Blacks continued their 100 per cent win record with a 39-13 win over Tonga in the Pacific Nations Cup on Saturday, but it was a hard-earned win, coming back from a half-time deficit.

Tongan full-back Vungakoto Lilo scored two first-half tries -- the second after Cory Jane had spilled a high ball -- to give Tonga a 10-3 lead early in the match, before Ross Filipo's try from a line-out near half-time restored parity -- with Brett converting and landing a penalty.

But Lilo gave Tonga the lead again with a penalty of his own with the final kick of the first half.

Derren Witcombe's try, the hooker latching onto a chip kick early in the second half, gave the Junior ABs the momentum again, and this time the team clicked into gear.

Tongan skipper Nili Latu was sin-binned for killing the ball in the 50th minute, and from the penalty, Marty Holah burrowed over.

As the Tongan team began to tire, the Junior AB replacements made a significant difference, and the backs ran their opposition ragged, with Tane Tu'ipulotu, Anthony Tuitavake, and Scott Hamilton all going over for tries out wide.

The scorers:

For Tonga:
Tries:  Lilo 2
Pen:  Lilo

For Junior ABs:
Tries:  Filipo, Witcombe, Holah, Tu'ipulotu, Tuitavake, Hamilton
Cons:  Brett 3
Pen:  Brett

Yellow card:  Latu (Tonga, 50, professional foul)

Tonga:  15 Vungakoto Lilo, 14 Seti Kiole, 13 Hudson Tonga'uiha, 12 'Isileli Matakaiongo Tupou, 11 'Aisea H Kaufusi, 10 Fangatapu 'Apikotoa, 9 Soane Havea, 8 Hale T Pole, 7 'Otenili Latu (Captain), 6 Teu'imuili Kaufusi, 5 'Isileli Fine, 4 Sione Kalamafoni, 3 Soane Tonga'uiha, 2 Aleki Lutui, 1 Toma Toke.
Replacements:  16 Feki Moala, 17 Sateki Mata'u, 18 Lopeti Liku, 19 Chris Hala'ufia, 20 Tevita Palu, 21 Siua Taumalolo, 22 Sione Fonua.

Junior ABs:  15 Cory Jane, 14 Scott Hamilton, 13 Casey Laulala, 12 Sam Tuitupou, 11 Anthony Tuitavake, 10 Stephen Brett, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Mose Tuiali'i, 7 Marty Holah (Captain), 6 Kieran Read, 5 Tom Donnelly, 4 Ross Filipo, 3 John Afoa, 2 Derren Witcombe, 1 Clarke Dermody.
Replacements:  16 Tone Kopelani, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Jerome Kaino, 19 Daniel Braid, 20 Andrew Ellis, 21 Stephen Donald, 22 Tane Tu'ipulotu.

Referee:  Federico Cuesta (Argentina)
Touch judges:  James Leckie (Australia), Eva Mafi (Tonga)

Aussies to face Kiwis in decider

Australia 'A' will play the Junior All Blacks in the decisive match of the Pacific Nations Cup next week, after the Australians eased past a hopelessly outclassed Japan -- winning 71-10 at the Dairy Farmers Stadium in Townsville on Saturday.

The Junior All Blacks had earlier kept their 100 percent record intact with a 39-13 win over Tonga.

The two results mean Australia remain in second place in the competition, one point behind the Junior All Blacks, who it plays in Dunedin next Saturday.

Scrum-half Josh Holmes scored a hat-trick of tries for Australia 'A' on Saturday, while centre Ryan Cross claimed a double.

Goal-kicking winger Clinton Schifcofske finished with a personal haul of 26 points from one try, nine conversions and one penalty goal.

The unbeaten Australians trailed 10-7 early in their encounter with Japan, but scored 64 unanswered points in the 10-tries-to-one mauling.

Despite a lack of early possession, Japan held a narrow lead midway through the first half, before the class of Australia's outside men put the result beyond doubt.

The Australians scored 10 tries to one, and in the process, showed some promising signs in both attack and defence ahead of their blockbuster clash against the Junior All Blacks next Saturday.

Fly-half Berrick Barnes orchestrated several of the team's tries while 19-year-old Force flanker David Pocock was awarded man-of-the-match honours.

Australia A converted early pressure into points in the seventh minute with a David Pocock break allowing Ryan Cross to score the first five-pointer of the match.

The Japanese hit back soon after with an 11th minute penalty goal, before a converted try against the run of play to Bryce Robins, saw Japan take a shock 10-7 lead after 16 minutes.

A Clinton Schifcofske penalty-goal levelled the scores at 10-10 after 20 minutes before a brilliant solo try to Ryan Cross, his second, triggered a four-try-blitz which saw Australia A take a 36-10 lead into the break.

The nine-minute rampage included a try to Schifcofske in the 30th minute, before Holmes crossed twice in as many minutes on the back of some Berrick Barnes brilliance.

It was much of the same to start the second-half when a pin-point Berrick Barnes kick found Force winger Haig Sare, after just four minutes.

Holmes notched up his hat-trick soon after on the back of a deft Peter Hewat chip and chase to bring up the Australians' half-century to lead 50-10.

Replacement prop Salesi Ma'afu was sent to the sin-bin midway through the second-half when he retaliated to a stray Japanese boot, but in his absence front-row counterpart Gareth Hardy finished some enterprising attack to cross in the 66th minute, which Schifcofske converted to lead 57-10.

Ma'afu redeemed himself sides in the 72nd minute with a try of his own, before replacement fly-half, Kurtley Beale, finished the 71-10 rout with a solo effort in the final minute of the match.

The scorers:

For Australia A:
Tries:  Holmes 3, Cross 2, Schifcofske, Sare, Hardy, Ma'afu, Beale
Cons:  Schifcofske 9
Pen:  Schifcofske

For Japan:
Try:  Robins
Con:  Ono
Pen:  Ono

Red card:  Salesi Ma'afu (Australia -- second yellow card)

Teams:

Australia A:  15 Peter Hewat, 14 Clinton Schifcofske, 13 Junior Pelesasa, 12 Ryan Cross, 11 Haig Sare, 10 Berrick Barnes, 9 Josh Holmes, 8 Jone Tawake, 7 David Pocock, 6 Dean Mumm, 5 Will Caldwell, 4 Alister Campbell (captain), 3 Troy Takiari, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Gareth Hardy.
Replacements:  16 Sean Hardman, 17 Salesi Ma'afu, 18 Adam Wallace-Harrison, 19 Julian Salvi, 20 Josh Valentine, 21 Gene Fairbanks, 22 Kurtley Beale.

Japan:  15 Bryce Robins, 14 Kosuke Endo, 13 Yuta Imamura, 12 Koji Taira, 11 Hirotoki Onozawa, 10 Kousei Ono, 9 Yuki Yatomi, 8 Hare Makiri, 7 Takamichi Sasaki (captain), 6 Hajime Kiso, 5 Tsuyoshi Sato, 4 Takanori Kumagae, 3 Ryo Yamamura, 2 Mitsugu Yamamoto, 1 Masahito Yamamoto.
Replacements:  16 Yusuke Aoki, 17 Tomokazu Soma, 18 Hitoshi Ono, 19 Glen Marsh, 20 Koichi Ohigashi, 21 Shotaro Onishi, 22 Go Aruga.

Referee:  James Bolabiu (Fiji)

Samoa edged out in Coffs Harbour

Australia A recorded a second successive IRB Pacific Nations Cup victory by edging out Samoa 27-15 in Coffs Harbour on Saturday.

Australia A led by as much as 17 points in the second half, but had to withstand a Samoan comeback that saw them score two tries in quick succession to bring the deficit back to five points at 20-15.

A final-minute try by Kurtley Beale flattered the home side in a match that was closer than the final scoreline would indicate.

The win means Australia A moves onto nine points for the competition, just one behind the Junior All Blacks, who disposed of Fiji 57-8 earlier on Saturday to maintain a perfect record after two rounds.

Australia A started strongly and built an early buffer on the back of some Samoan ill-discipline, wing Clinton Schifcofske piloting two long-range penalty attempts through the uprights for a six-nil lead after 13 minutes.

But despite dominating the opening stages it wasn't until midway through the half that the Australians would convert pressure into points, Tatafu Polota-Nau touching down for his side's first try off a rolling maul in the 26th minute.

Schifcofske converted for a 13-nil lead.

Samoa hit back with a penalty goal two minutes later to make it 13-3, which was the score into half time.

Just before the break the home side was dealt a blow with Lachie Turner suffering a shoulder injury that would result in him playing no further part in the match.

The injury will be assessed upon arrival in Townsville on Sunday.

The second half began slowly for the Australians with Samoa showing renewed enthusiasm after the break, the visitors upping the tempo in attack.

However their exuberance would come back to haunt them, Australia A replacement Dean Mumm scoring while the Samoans had a player in the sin bin for punching.

Mumm's strike was converted by Schifcofske to give the Australians the upper hand at 20-3.

But Samoa was far from done, hitting back with an unconverted try to prop Justin Va'a in the 58th minute of play.

Lock Kane Thompson then steamrolled his way over the line to set up a grandstand finish, Australia A's lead cut to 20-15 with just over ten minutes of play remaining.

Samoa surged again but were held at bay by the Australia A defence, while a series of skewed lineout throws also hurt the men in blue.

Australia A also lost man of the match Schifcofske to the sin bin for a late hit with three minutes remaining however it would ultimately not prove a hindrance.

In the end the final say went to Australia A, replacement fly-half Kurtley Beale toeing through a dropped ball to score next to the posts in the final minute of the match.

Beale's touchdown was converted by Peter Hewat, taking the final score along to 27-15 in favour of the Australians.

Australia A relocate to Townsville on Sunday to prepare for next week's clash with Japan at Dairy Farmer's Stadium.

"It wasn't a great performance," Australian coach Laurie Fisher told AAP

"We had plenty of ball in the first half and didn't do a whole lot with it.  We were a bit untidy in our work.

"I think we lost the desire to take the ball forward in the second half.

"They came out and put some heat on in the second half and were quite robust.

"We had the chance to have the game really closed out, but we were a little bit headless in the things we did."

The scorers:

For Australia A:
Tries:  Polota-Nau, Mumm, Beale
Cons:  Schifcofske 2, Hewat
Pens:  Schifcofske 2

For Samoa:
Tries:  Justin Va'a, Thompson
Con:  Williams
Pen:  Williams

Japan stun Tonga in Australia

Japan have pulled off a surprise 20-17 win over Tonga in Coff's Harbour in the Pacific Nations Cup on Saturday.

Japan winger Kosuke Endo's try late in the first half set the Cherry Blossoms on their way, and lock Hitoshi Ono's try on the hour mark had Japan 20-7 in the lead.

John Kirwan's side may have been outscored by three tries to two, but Japan's discipline at the breakdown coupled with a powerful forward performance paved the way for a deserved victory, their first-ever in the competition.

Tonga did stage a late comeback, but were frustrated in the tackle area and had two players sin-binned during the second half to hamper chances of pulling off victory.

Isileli Tupou scored the opening try for Tonga but Japan led 20-7 late in the match after Endo and Ono had scored.  Two tries in the final 15 minutes narrowed the gap to three points but Japan held on to win.

Japan's victory elevates John Kirwan's side to fourth in the standings ahead of Tonga who are yet to record a win in this year's tournament.

The scorers:

For Tonga:
Tries:  Tupou, Tongauiha, Lilo
Con:  Apikota

For Japan:
Tries:  Endo, Ono
Cons:  Ando 2
Pens:  Ando 2

Tonga:  15 Sione Fonua, 14 Aisea Havili Kaufusi, 13 Hudson Tangpuiha, 12 Isileli Tupou, 11 Seti Kote, 10 Fangatapu Apikotoa, 9 David Palu, 8 Samiu Vahafolau, 7 Nili Latu, 6 Hale T-Pole, 5 Sione Kalamafoni, 4 Tevita Tanginoa, 3 Tevita Taumoepeau, 2 Aleki Lutui, 1 Toma Toke.
Replacements:  16 Patrick Toumoua, 17 Makoni Finua, 18 Tei Mulu Kaufusi, 19 Naisa Sikaiu, 20 Sikalele Ahoafi, 21 Lisiate Tafa, 22 Vunga Lilo.

Japan:  15 Goshi Tachikawa, 14 Kosuke Endo, 13 Bryce Robins, 12 Shotaro Onishi, 11 Christian Loamanu, 10 Eiji Ando, 9 Tomoki Yoshida, 8 Takuro Miuchi, 7 Hare Makiri, 6 Yasunori Watanabe, 5 Luke Thompson, 4 Hitoshi Ono, 3 Tomokazu Soma, 2 Yuji Matsubara, 1 Tatsukichi Nishiura.
Replacements:  16 Mitsugu Yamamoto 17 Ryo Yamamura 18 Takanori Kumagae 19 Takamichi Sasaki 20 Yuki Yatomi 21 Yuta Imamura 22 Hirotoki Onozawa

Junior All Blacks run riot in Suva

The Junior All Blacks laid down a firm statement of intent for the Pacific Nations Cup by thrashing Fiji 57-8 in Suva on Saturday.

The New Zealand pack was far superior to the opposition, destroying the Fijians at scrum-time and nicking throw after throw at the line-out.  The Fijians were left with no ball at all.

It was a worying reminder of the gulf between the full-time professionals and the Fijians who are rarely together, and playing part-time domestically.  What scale will the mis-matches be at the rugby World Cup?

New Zealand's forward supremacy provided a steady supply of ball to a dangerous set of three-quarters to give the Junior All Black a 29-3 lead, with the bonus point already assured.

Casey Laulala was the first on the scoresheet after just seven minutes, capitalising on 12 phases of picking and driving by the pack.

When Rico Gear tore away down the left after 20 minutes, the support once again got the ball out quickly enough for scrum-half Andrew Ellis to score.

A scrum shoved against the head after half an hour gave quick turnover ball for Cory Jane to get his try, side-stepping the last three defenders superbly, and then another powerful scrum gave Mose Tuiali'i space to kick wide for Gear to dot down.

Tuiali'i opened the scoring again just after half-time, visibly sapping the Fijian spirit, and the home pack then conceded a penalty try, before Scott Hamilton and tane Tuipulotu rounded off the scoring.

Fiji's consolation score came from centre Gabiriele Lovobalavu, but it was little cause for cheer for the home team.

The scorers:

For Fiji:
Try:  Lovobalavu
Pen:  Buatava

For the Junior All Blacks:
Tries:  Laulala, Ellis, Jane, Gear, Tuiali'i, penalty try, Hamilton, Tuipulotu
Cons:  Donald 4, Brett 3
Pen:  Donald.

Samoa falls to Junior All Blacks

In a performance that made a mockery of their subordinate name, the Junior All Blacks opened their Pacific Nations Cup campaign with an emphatic 31-10 victory over Samoa in Apia on Sunday.

The visitors fielded ten full All Blacks and Rico Gear, a surprise omission from Graham Henry's mid-year squad, reminded the selector's of his skills by scoring a brace of tries.

Prop John Afoa, number eight Mose Tuiali'i and replacement Ross Filipo also scored for the New Zealanders, while David Lemi scored a consolation try for the Samoans, who beat Fiji 8-3 last weekend.

Afoa gave the New Zealanders off the mark by collecting a charged-down kick from Samoan midfielder Seilala Mapusua to score within two minutes of the start.

Gear then went in for the first of his two tries, even though his grounding looked suspect and his legs appeared in touch in Mapusua's tackle.

Ahead 12-0, the Junior All Blacks took their foot off the pedal in the searing heat, allowing the hard-hitting Samoans to gain some momentum in the pick-and-go.

However, the home side's finishing touches let them down.

Fullback Gavin Williams had only fullback Cory Jane to beat with winger Lome Fa'atau looming up on his right only to fluff that opportunity.

Bad passes let them down twice in the second half when they had the Juniors on the backfoot close to the goal line.

The visitors fought back and a try from replacement Filipo and Gear's second sealed the result.

But there was some consolation for the locals when Lemi got on the end of a poor pass from Jimmy Cowan to score.

Junior All Blacks captain Marty Holah declared himself happy with his opener, but warned his troops against complacency.

The New Zealanders romped through last year's edition of the tournament, but the introduction of Australia "A" and the forthcoming Rugby World Cup have added an extra dimension to proceedings.

"Teams like Samoa and Fiji are preparing for the World Cup now and they're getting their best players back from around the world, so naturally they're tougher," Holah told the NZPA.

"And playing these teams in the islands is as tough as they come.

"They're twice as physical at home, and it's not going to get any easier for us next week."

Australia "A" marked their entry into this six-team competition with a 60-15 win over Tonga last night and Fiji, who had lost narrowly to Samoa last week, beat Japan 30-15 in Lautoka after trailing 3-15 at halftime.

The Junior All Blacks play Fiji in Suva on 2 June, Samoa meet the Australians in Coff's Harbour on the same day.

The scorers:

For Samoa:
Try:  Lemi
Con:  Williams
Pen:  Williams

For Junior All Blacks:
Tries:  Gear 2, Afoa, Tuiali'i, Filipo
Cons:  Donald 3

The teams:

Junior All Blacks:  15 Cory Jane, 14 Rico Gear, 13 Casey Laulala, 12 Stephen Brett, 11 Scott Hamilton, 10 Stephen Donald, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Mose Tuiali'i, 7 Marty Holah (c), 6 Kieran Read, 5 Greg Rawlinson, 4 Hoani MacDonald, 3 John Afoa, 2 Derren Witcombe, 1 Clarke Dermody
Replacements:  16 Tone Kopelani, 17 Campbell Johnstone, 18 Ross Filipo, 19 Jerome Kaino, 20 Andrew Ellis, 21 Anthony Tuitavake, 22 Daniel Braid.

Samoa:  15 Gavin Williams, 14 Lome Faatau, 13 Anitelea Tuilagi, 12 Seilala Maposua, 11 Brian Lima (captain), 10 Loki Crichton, 9 Stephen Sooialo, 8 Alfie Tooala, 7 Ulia Ulia, 6 Joe Tekori, 5 Kane Thompson, 4 Filipo Levi, 3 Cencus Johnston, 2 Mahonri Schwalger, 1 Justin Va'a.
Replacements:  16 Muliufi Salanoa, 17 Donald Kerslake, 18 Leo Lafaiali'i, 19 Semo Sititi, 20 Junior Polu, 21 Joshua Keil, 22 David Lemi.

Referee:  James Leckie (Australia)

Fiji bounce back to conquer Japan

Fiji turned around a 3-15 half-time deficit to trounce Japan 30-15 and go briefly second in the Pacific Nations Cup in Lautoka on Saturday.

New-found talent Taniela Rawaqa led the comeback, scoring a try and landing two conversions and two penalties in the win.

Rawaqa kicked the first points with an early penalty, but Japan took advantage of Fiji's poor communication in defence and finally broke through for a try from lock Luke Thompson.

Full-back Goshi Tachikawa scored the second try for Japan shortly before the break, with Eiji Ando converting, having already added an earlier penalty.

After Rawaqa made it 6-15 at the start of the second half, a number of Fijian substitutions swung the game completely the home team's way.

Rawaqa converted his own try in the 51st minute, and then two long trademark passing movements culminated in tries for flankers Netani Talei and Akapusi Qera.

Japan's heads dipped, and Isoa Neivua was left to seal the game in the 76th minute with a 50-metre runaway try, stepping around his opposite Kosuke Endo, with Rawaqa adding the conversion.

The scorers:

For Fiji:
Tries:  Rawaqa, Talei, Qera, Neivua
Cons:  Rawaqa 2
Pens:  Rawaqa 2

For Japan:
Tries:  Thompson, Tachikawa
Con:  Ando
Pen:  Ando

Samoa kick off with rugged win

Samoa recorded an 8-3 win over Fiji in the opening match of the Pacific Nations Cup in Apia on Saturday with Alapasa Cordtz the try-scoring hero of a dour match.

Rain poured in Apia for much of the day, and thus the running rugby for which the Islanders are so celebrated was kept top a minimum.  The hits for which they are so famed were not kept to a minimum though, and a war of attrition was waged.

Samoa's pack gained the upper hand in the mud, and the try came as a direct result when Cordtz powered over off the back of a maul.

That made the score 5-3, with Fiji full-back Taniela Rawaqa having give the visitors an early lead.

Samoa controlled most of the second half but just couldn't finish the game off, and eventually, they had to rely upon the boot of Gavin Williams to extend the lead seven minutes from time.

It was a good way for Samoa to round off a national week of mourning, after last weekend's death of King Malietoa Tanufamili II, the country's leader since independence from New Zealand in 1962.

Samoa's next match is against the Junior All Blacks next Saturday in Apia, while Fiji host Japan the same day.

The scorers:

For Samoa:
Tries:  Cordtz
Pen:  Williams

For Fiji:
Pen:  Rawaqa