Samoa

The Tongan teams did well in the third round of the IRB's Pacific Rugby Cup this weekend, especially Tautahi Gold.

Tautahi Gold beat the unbeaten Savai'i Samoa 27-17 at Teufaiva Stadium in Nuku'alofa on Friday.

Tau'uta Reds just lost to the Fiji Barbarians at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka on Saturday.

Tautahi Gold vs Savai'i Samoa, 27-17

At half-time the Tongan hosts led 10-0 after scoring a try in the third minute. They scored two tries in the half.

Centre Reupena Levasa scored for the Samoan visitors early in the second half to make the score 10-5.

But the Tongans came charging back with two converted tries, one by Tongan captain and World Cup star, Nili Latu. That made it 24-5 before the Samoans scored two further tries and Lu'au ended off the scoring with a penalty goal.

Tautahi Gold now top the log.

Scorers:

For Tautahi Gold
Tries: Feki Moala, Setaleki Lu'au 2, Nili Latu,
Cons: Fangatapu Apikotoa 2
Pen: Setaleki Lu'au

For Savai'i Samoa:
Tries: Reupena Levasa, Egelani Fale, Gafa Siona
Con: Karl Siemesen

Teams:

Tautahi Gold: 15 Setaleki Lu'au, 14 Samisoni Pone, 13 Semisi Motu’apuaka, 12 ‘Isileli M Tupou, 11 Sione Lavaka, 10 Fangatapu ‘Apikotoa (captain), 9 Soane Havea, 8 Siope Poutele, 7 Nili Latu, 6 Lisala Uasi, 5 Samiu Ika, 4 Taukolo Tu’akoi, 3 Soane Ledger, 2 Feki Moala, 1 Makoni Finau
Replacements: 16 Va’inga Fangupo, 17 Paula Polo, 18 Matini Tupou, 19 Kano Ewan Vaifo’ou, 20 Vea Paunga, 21 Leakona Tovi, 22 Peni Tokotaha

Savai'i Samoa: 15 Karl Siemesen, 14 Esera Lauina, 13 Reupena Levasa, 12 Tauvaga Faafou, 11 Tupu Ulufale, 10 Ki Anufe, 9 Gafa Siona, 8 Egelani Fale (captain), 7 Alafoti Fa’osiliva, 6 Tele Ese, 5 Luti Pese, 4 Tim Nelson, 3 Rudy Leavasa, 2 Lafoga Aoelua, 1 Hero Tea
Replacements: 16 Poutoa Iosi, 17 Loleni Tafunai, 18 Ponifasio Vasa, 19 Keneti Tofilau, 20 Ese Fale, 21 Aaifou Faamausili, 22 Junior Leota

Referee: Mikea Rokodrakia (Fiji)
Touch judges: Napolioni Locoloco (Fiji), tba

Fiji Barbarians vs Tau'uta Reds, 25-24

Fullback Apisalome Waqatabu scored the winning try for the Barbars in the 91st minute of the match and flyhalf Amani Bosenawai kicked from touch. It was that close.

It is astonishing that the Reds still have to win a match as they dominated most facets of play.

Two tries put the Tongans 12-0 up before wing Ropate Ratu scored for the Barbars.

Bosenawai kicked a penalty (12-8) but then Lotu Filipine battled over and the Tongans led 19-8.

Back came the Barbars with a try and a penalty to make the score 19-18 to the home side to make it 19-18 with six minutes of running time to play.

It was a thrilling time which went on for much longer than six minutes.

First Filipine scored a try for the Reds and then came the dramatic try and dramatic conversion just before the final whistle.

Scorers:

For Fiji Barbarians:
Tries: Ratu, Nagatalevu, Waqatabu
Cons: Bosenawai 2
Pens: Bosenawai 2

For Tau'uta Reds:
Tries: Filipine 2, Fifita, Taufa
Cons: Poteki 2

Fiji Barbarians: 15 Isimeli Koniferedi, 14 Ropate Ratu, 13 Tikiko Uluiviti, 12 Jimi Mule, 11 Vima Tuidraki, 10 Ravai Fatiaki, 9 Kelemedi Bola (captain), 8 Josefa Nagatalevu, 7 Ameniasi Nava, 6 Mitieli Cama, 5 Moses Fatiaki, 4 Joeli Lutumailagi, 3 Isikeli Gavidi, 2 Aseri Buli, 1 Sakeo Latianara
Replacements: 16 Setefano Somoca, 17 Filipe Kuruvoli, 18 Aca Bibi, 19 Setefano Somoca, 20 Nemia Kenatale, 21 Amani Bosenawai , 22 Apisalome Waqatabu

Tau’uta Reds: 15 Tupou Palu, 14 Ualosi Kailea, 13 Ofa Takai, 12 Sione Masima, 11 Salesi Havili, 10 Vaea Poteki, 9 Enele Taufa, 8 Lotu Filipine (captain), 7 Afele Tongia, 6 Kelepi Halafihi), 5 Sione Tamani, 4 Isileli Fine, 3 Sateki Mata’u, 2 Atelea Hu’akau, 1 Otules Fifita
Replacements: 16 Taniela Te’ekafa, 17 Siua Halanukonuka, 18 Saia Taufalele, 19 Jack Ram, 20 Makoni Finau, 21 Sikalele Ahoafi, 22 Salesi Havili

Referee: Kelekolio Petelo (Samoa)
Touch judges: Hemi Siaosi (Samoa), Tomasi Buli (Fiji)

Upolu Samoa vs Fiji Warriors 13-8

Upolu Samoa came from behind for the second week running and beat Fiji Warriors.

The visiting Warriors led 8-0 at half-time, but Upolu Samoa staged a second-half comeback to all but end Warriors’ hopes of qualifying for this year’s final. Two quick second-half scores made it 8-all.

Timoteo Iosua scored the Samoans' first try and then added the second, a winner just before the end of the match.

Scorers:

For Upolu Samoa:
Tries: Timoteo Iosua 2
Con: Lolo Lui
Pen: Lolo Lui

For Fiji Warriors:
Try: Rupeni Nasiga
Pen: Taniela Rawaga

Upolu Samoa: 15 Lolo Lui, 14 Timoteo Iosua, 13 Gasolo Salima, 12 Samisoni Moala, 11 Pulemalie Sopo, 10 Roger Warren, 9 Notise Tauafao, 8 Filipo Levi, 7 Alapasa Cordtz, 6 Simaika Mikaele, 5 Ola Pipili, 4 Tui Fitiao, 3 Taligatuli Moala, 2 Andrew Williams, 1 Muliufi Salanoa
Replacements: 16 Taleni Toloa, 17 Evile Telea, 18 Ruperake Petaia, 19 Ken Ulia, 20 Dominic Gabriel, 21 Joiner Key, 22 Uale Mai

Fiji Warriors: 15 Taniela Rawaga, 14 Malakai Bakaniceva, 13 Sadida Radidi, 12 Vuiami Ratu, 11 Patrick Osbourne, 10 Waisea Luveniyala, 9 Aperosa Vata, 8 Deryck Thomas, 7 Wate Vocevoce, 6 Rupeni Nasiga, 5 Iskeli Donu, 4 Mosese Vasuitoga, 3 Viliame Seuseu, 2 Vili Veikoso, 1 Isireli Temo
Replacements: 16 Vereniki Sauturaga, 17 Alefoso Yalayalatabua, 18 Samuela Anise, 19 Apiasalome Ratuniyara, 20 Waisale Vatunivoka, 21 Jonetani Ratulu, 22 Epeli Vuivucu

Referee: Eva Mafi (Tonga)
Touch judges: Mouga Vea (Tonga), Peter Ak Kuoi (Samoa)