Tonga loses to Samoa 24-23 [1]
Tuesday, June 15, 2010 - 22:45. Updated on Monday, September 9, 2013 - 18:40.
The Manu Samoa beat the 'Ikale Tahi again, 24-23 at Apia Park, Samoa on Saturday June 12.
The encounter was a thriller, a must win for the Manu Samoa, on its home ground, and the 'Ikale Tahi was hoping for a revenge because it has not beaten the Manu Samoa since its famous victory 19-15 over the Manu Samoa during the 2007 World Cup in France.
The Manu Samoa with some of the Samoan Seven Stars, such as Pesamino and Lolo Lui scored three tries to the 'Ikale Tahi's two.
The 'Ikale Tahi's 23 points came from two tries, one each for Full-back Vungakoto Lilo and Winger Alaska Taufa. Both tries were converted by fly half Kurt Morath who also converted three penalties.
The Head Coach for the 'Ikale Tahi, 'Isitolo Maka said at the end of the game that though defeated by one point but he was "very happy" with the performance of his players. "They gave it their all during the full 80 minutes. There was some problems with our scrummaging, but we will fix that before our game against Fiji on Saturday."
Is there going to be a different game plan against the Flying Fijian?
"The difference will be that Fijians like to run and to throw the ball wide, whereas the Samoans play a similar style to us, very physical and up the middle," said 'Isitoko Maka with confidence that they will be ready for the Flying Fijians at Apia Park, this Saturday, June 19.