Joshua Kiel's penalty goal after the full-time buzzer gave Upolu Samoa a 29-27 victory over the Air Pacific Fiji Warriors at Lawaqa Park on Saturday to earn the Samoans a place in next week's Pacific Rugby Cup final against the Tau'uta Reds of Tonga.

Fullback Dan Rawaqa appeared to have won the game for the Warriors with his fifth successful penalty goal minutes from time, but the Samoans retained possession well from the restart and worked their way to halfway. A marginally late hit from Isoa Neivua was adjudged by Tongan referee Eva Mafi to be worth a penalty, and Kiel did the business from 30 metres out.

The result means that neither of the two Fiji teams in the competition will feature in the final.

The Warriors will be left to rue their three yellow cards in a strange game that struggled to get going at times. Upolu stormed to a 20-0 advantage after half an hour. But the Warriors battled well with 13 men and pegged back the score to 20-13 at the break.

Some positive play and continuous pressure from the Warriors then saw them overhaul Upolu...’s score in the 55th minute as Rawaqa split the sticks once more. But tit-for-tat penalties in the closing stages ended with Kiel...’s final kick just as the Warriors looked to have escaped with what would have been a remarkable win.

Kiel finished with 19 points, and Rawaqa 17.

Quotes:

Selefuti Patu (Upolu Samoa coach):

"We lost momentum in the second half and were lucky to win. Fiji had bigger forwards and that was one area we lacked in. My boys played smart rugby but we need to improve if we are to win in Tonga for the final. Fiji came back strongly in the second spell but I think they lacked discipline."

Saturday 28 April 2007

Air Pacific Fiji Warriors 27 Upolu Samoa 29

IRB Pacific Rugby Cup

Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka

Half-time: 13-20

Referee: Eva Mafi (Tonga)

Touch Judges: Tevita Pesoni (Tonga), Napolioni Locoloco (Fiji)

Crowd: 500

AIR PACIFIC FIJI WARRIORS: 15 Taniela Rawaqa, 14 Paula Tiko, 13 Isoa Rokobici, 12 Gabiriele Lovobalavu (Lloyd Hazelman 57), 11 Isoa Neivua 10 Waisea Luveniyali (Luke Rogoyawa 45), 9 Aporosa Vata (capt) (yellow card 31-40) (Kelemedi Bola 61), 8 Sairusi Rokosalu (Aseri Tale 9, yellow card 37-36) (Sainivalati Vunibola 71), 7 Mikaele Maya, 6 Samu Vakaruru, 5 Jone Qovu (yellow card 47-56), 4 Langi Peters, 3 Tiko Matawalu, 2 Sunia Koto, 1 Alefoso Yalayalatabua (Savenaca Driu 61)

Not used: Aseri Buli

Coach: Eddie Waqa

Tries: Rokobici, Tale: Conversion: Rawaqa: Penalty goals: Rawaqa (5)

UPOLU SAMOA: 15 Douglas Tausili, 14 Gafatasi Siitia, 13 Orion Keil (Mussolini Schuster 67), 12 Samasoni Moala (Lagolasi Fonoti 71), 11 Samu Eteuati (yellow card 65-74), 10 Joshua Keil, 9 Dominic Gabriel (Notise Tauafao 53), 8 Mussolini Magele, 7 Alapasa Cortz, 6 Olaifale Pipili (Sirovai Sila 68), 5 Tui Fitiao, 4 Amilale Utumapu (Marlon Sione 57), 3 Solomone Tavita (Taligatuli Moala 53), 2 Muliufi Salanoa, 1 Donald Kerslake (capt) (Andrew Williams 71)

Coach: Selefuti Patu

Tries: Tausili, Siitia; Conversions: J Keil (2); Penalty goals: J Keil (5). Jeremy Duxbury, 28/04/07.