Tonga A beats Samoa A in World Rugby Pacific Challenge [1]
Wednesday, March 15, 2017 - 16:11. Updated on Friday, March 17, 2017 - 14:41.
A determined Tonga A put on a great performance to beat Samoa A yesterday, 30-22 in their second match of the 2017 World Rugby Pacific Challenge at ANZ Stadium in Suva, Fiji, yesterday.
Both teams played their hearts out but Tonga was too dominant in the game.
Samoa started well with Danny Tusitala scoring the opening try, successfully converted by captain Patrick Faapale.
In response, Tonga won a penalty converted by fullback, James Faiva and Tonga’s first try in the game came in the 28th minute by Feofaaki Kaumavae. After an impressive build up run by No. 11 Tuihakavalu Ika, the No. 13 caught defenders sleeping when he was passed the ball off a ruck and he ran straight over the try line. The conversion was unsuccessful but Tonga were now in the lead by one point, 8-7.
A second penalty to Tonga and the successful conversion by James Faiva put Tonga ahead at 11-7.
Prior to half-time, Tonga’s No.8 Topui Sekona bolted with the ball from a scrum just outside Samoa’s 22 meter line, bulldozing four defenders as he darted and scored under the post. James Faiva’s boot again converted extending Tonga’s lead to 18-7.
In the second half, Samoa put the first points on the board with a successful penalty conversion by Patrick Faapale, edging Samoa closer 18-10.
However, Tonga replied with a second try to Feofaaki Kaumavae which was unconverted, Tonga surging ahead at 23-10.
A fourth try to Tonga scored by Tuihakavalu Ika and successful conversion by James Faiva pushed Tonga’s lead to 30-10 with around ten minutes to go.
Samoa A however, were not going to go down easily. They were awarded a penalty try after Tonga’s Constantini Kauvaka was yellow-carded for dangerous play with 3 minutes to go edging Samoa closer at 30-17.
Right on 80 minutes, Samoa’s Faafou Amate scored another try edging Samoa A closer at 30-22 but not enough to win. A missed conversion saw the score remain at 30-22 in favour of Tonga A.
Isi Fatani, Tonga A’s coach told Fiji Times Online that the team had been working hard to get a win.
“They deserved to win and we’ve been working hard for this game. We haven’t won against Samoa for the past years in Fiji, but this is a great win. I thank the Almighty father for helping us win this game.”
"Before the game I reminded the boys about discipline because it's very important. I think they did well despite one yellow card."
Samoa A captain, Patrick Faapale said he was disappointed with the loss.
“It's disappointing to lose against Tonga, especially when this is the first time we lost to them here."
Tonga A’s next game is against Junior Japan on Saturday, 18 March 2017 in Suva, Fiji.