The FMF Flying Fijians put on a brave and defensively sound performance against a more experienced Manu Samoa side in the opening match of the 2007 IRB Pacific Nations Cup, but fell 8-3 at a muddy Apia Park on Saturday.

With six new caps in the starting line-up and another two getting a run from the bench, FMF Flying Fijians coach Ilivasi Tabua gave us a glimpse of the future of Fiji rugby, and no-one let him down. Indeed, several of the debutants shone brightly.

Loosehead prop Alefoso Yalayalatabua had a terrific game, putting in some telling tackles and adding another dimension to the attack. If anything, he suffered from a lack of support when going forward.

Big Taranaki No.8 Tomasi Soqeta also flexed his muscles and showed composure at the back of the pack. And the 21-year-old Dan Rawaqa took the fullback duties in his stride, kicking Fiji's only points ...– a penalty goal in the second minute.

Isoa Neivua handled the conditions and some difficult balls very well, and was unlucky not to score a try when he toed ahead only to stumble in the mud metres short. Australia-based midfield man Vitori Buatava replaced Jack Prasad at fly-half for the last quarter and appeared at ease in his first taste of Test rugby.

Fiji's organisation was underlined when Wame Lewaravu received a yellow card from Australian referee Paul Marks shortly after coming on in the 60th minute. For the time Lewaravu was in the sin-bin, Samoa held possession in the Fiji half but couldn't get past the 14 men.

Whilst Fiji's tackling and positional play in defence was first-rate, they did commit a few unforced errors that proved costly in terms of possession and territory, and some decision-making towards the end was a little suspect. Some of this could be attributed to the heavy conditions.

In the 25th minute, Samoan flanker Alapasa Cordtz scored the only try of the match following a rolling maul towards the corner. And late in the game, fullback Gavin Williams converted a penalty goal to make it 8-3 to the hosts ...– the lowest aggregate score for a full Samoa-Fiji Test since the very first one back in 1924 (the match that Samoa won 6-0 in 1983 was abandoned early in the second half).

Manu Samoa: 15 Gavin Williams, 14 Lome Faatau, 13 Anetalea Tuilagi, 12 Brian Lima, 11 David Lemi, 10 Loki Crichton, 9 Steven Sooialo, 8 Semo Sititi, 7 Alapasa Cordtz, 6 Justin Purdie, 5 Kane Thompson, 4 Filipo Levi, 3 Fosi Palaamo, 2 Mahonri Schwalger, 1 Donald Kerslake.

Reserves from: Naama Leleimalefaga, Muliufi Salanoa, Joe Tekori, Leo Lafaialii, Ulia Ulia, Alfie Toala, Notise Tauafao, Josh Keil, Esera Lauina, Tauvaga Faafou, Paletuatoa Toelupe.

Coach: Michael Jones

Try: Cordtz; Penalty goal: Williams.

FMF Flying Fijians: 15 Taniela Rawaqa (Marika Vakacegu 75), 14 Vesi Rauluni, 13 Vereniki Goneva, 12 Dan Baleinadogo, 11 Isoa Neivua, 10 Jack Prasad (Vitori Buatava 65), 9 Seveci Taka, 8 Tomasi Soqeta, 7 Akapusi Qera (Netani Talei 57), 6 Alifereti Doviverata (capt), 5 Langi Peters (Wame Lewaravu 60, yellow card 61-70), 4 Kele Leawere, 3 Tiko Matawalu (Apisai Turukawa 57), 2 Sunia Koto, 1 Alefoso Yalayalatabua.

Not used: Viliame Gadolo, Gabiriele Lovobalvu

Coach: Ilivasi Tabua

Penalty goal: Rawaqa

By Jeremy Duxbury, 19/05/07.