The Fiji Water Flying Fijians sank the hopes of a Manu Samoa resurgence last night after a refreshed home side fought hard to maintain the lead in the second half of the Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup in Suva last night.
Fijian Drua’s Kitione Salawa ran in 3 tries much to the delight and cheer of the crowd.
Salawa ran in the first try in the first 10 minutes but the conversion was unsuccessful. Windy conditions at Laucala Bay saw Caleb Muntz positioning the kicking tee several times before he eventually kicked the ball as the allocated window was closing.
Samoa added points to their tally after Fiji was penalized outside their 10-metre line and scores trailed each other at 5 – 3.
Samoa kept pushing and managed to break through the wall of the white Fijian jerseys to take the lead 10 – 5.
Close to the halfway mark of the first half, Samoa dotted in a penalty kick bringing the score 13 – 5.
Riveting centre Iosefo Masi showed the incredible master he is in the game when he dragged several Samoan players with him as he made a dash for the tryline bringing the scores to 13-12.
After Temo Mayanavanua was send to the sin bin, Samoa led 16-12 after a successful penalty kick.
Fiji further closed the gap with Muntz kicking through a penalty kick.
At the beginning of the second half, Muntz kicked another penalty kick to extend the home side’s lead to 18 – 16.
Salawa scored his second try after a maul and Muntz added a conversion extending the Flyin Fijians lead to 25-16.
Savusavu man and Player of the Match, Frank Lomani scored another try further extending their lead to 32 – 16. Samoa tried to get back into the game but was foiled yet again after debutant Vuate Karawalevu scored in the corner pitting the team at 37 – 16.
The final score of the match was scored by Salawa again bringing the scores to 42 – 16.
