Upolu Samoa remain on target to defend their Pacific Rugby Cup title but it was Ikale Tahi captain Nili Latu who was stole the headlines, inspiring Tautahi Gold to a upset victory over the undefeated Savaii Samoans.
Fiji Barbarians registered their first win in the IRB Pacific Rugby Cup defeating the visiting Tau'uta Reds from Tonga 25-24. But the news wasn’t good for Fiji’s other team, the Air Pacific Fiji Warriors who suffered their second loss in Samoa when they were beaten by Upolu Samoa 13-8.
But the headline result from round three action of this year’s competition was Tautahi Gold beating the previously undefeated Savaii Samoans 27-17. Tonga’s Ikale Tahi captain Nili Latu, who flew back just last week to join the team, was inspirational yet again leading the Golds to their second consecutive victory with Latu in the number seven jersey. He scored a try in the win over Savaii.
Tautahi Gold stun Savai'i Samoa
Tautahi Gold survived a late fight back from 2006 champions Savai’i Samoa to record a first victory over their opponents in the history of the IRB Pacific Rugby Cup with a 27-17 triumph at Teufaiva Stadium in Nuku’alofa last Friday.
Savai’i Samoa had gone into the third round match unbeaten in this year’s competition against a Tautahi Gold side boosted by their victory in the all Tongan affair with Tau’uta Reds last weekend.
The home side opened the scoring as early as the third minute when their hooker Feki Moala scored a try from a rolling maul and this lead was doubled to 10-0 at the end of the first quarter when full back Setaleki Lu’au touched down.
Lu’au, who impressed by making several line breaks and showing his good kicking game, ended the first half in the sin-bin but Tautahi Gold went in leading 10-0 – a lead that was cut within minutes of the restart after centre Reupena Levasa’s try for Savai’i.
Tautahi Gold though bounced back with tries from Tonga captain Nili Latu- the result of another rolling maul – and La’ua to lead 24-5 with 20 minutes remaining after skipper Fangatapu Apikotoa converted both scores.
The second try of the match for Lu’au secured a bonus point for Tautahi Gold, but it was flanker Latu who again stole the show with an impressive all round performance, strong at the breakdown and in defence as well as being dangerous in attack.
Savai’i Samoa were suddenly stung into action and although captain Egelani Fale and scrum half Gafa Siona crossed for tries the fight back came too late with Lu’au having the final say with a penalty to seal the victory that sends Tautahi Gold top of the table.
Tautahi Gold: 1. Makoni Finau 2. Feki Moala, 3. Soane Ledger 4. Taukolo Tu’akoi 5. Samiu Ika 6. Lisala Uasi 7. Nili Latu 8. Siope Poutele 9. Soane Havea 10. Fangatapu ‘Apikotoa (Captain) 11. Sione Lavaka 12. ‘Isileli M. Tupou 13. Semisi Motu’apuaka 14. Samisoni Pone 15. Setaleki Lu’au.
Replacements: 16. Va’inga Fangupo 17. Paula Polo 18. Matini Tupou 19. Kano Ewan Vaifo’ou 20. Vea Paunga 21. Leakona Tovi 22. Peni Tokotaha.
Tries: Feki Moala, Setaleki Lu’au (2), Nili Latu,
Conversions: Fangatapu ‘Apikotoa (2)
Penalty: Setaleki Lu’au
Yellow card: Setaleki Lu’au
Savai’i Samoa: 1. Hero Tea 2. Lafoga Aoelua 3. Rudy Leavasa 4. Tim Nelson 5. Luti Pese 6. Tele Ese 7. Alafoti Fa’osiliva 8. Egelani Fale (Captain) 9. Gafa Siona 10. Ki Anufe 11. Tupu Ulufale 12. Tauvaga Faafou 13. Reupena Levasa 14. Esera Lauina 15. Karl Siemesen.
Replacements: 16. Poutoa Iosi 17. Loleni Tafunai 18. Ponifasio Vasa 19. Keneti Tofilau 20. Ese Fale 21. Aaifou Faamausili 22. Junior Leota.
Tries: Reupena Levasa, Egelani Fale, Gafa Siona
Conversion: Karl Siemesen
Defending champions maintain 100% PRC record 
Upolu Samoa came from behind for the second week running to beat Fiji Warriors 13-8 and maintain their 100% record in this year’s IRB Pacific Rugby Cup.
The visiting Warriors looked like they might cause an upset by defeating the defending champions in Apia, and get their own PRC campaign back on track, when they lead 8-0 at half time. But, roared on by 3,000 supporters, Upolu Samoa staged a second-half comeback to all but end Warriors’ hopes of qualifying for this year’s final.
Warriors had enjoyed a 8-0 lead after 20 minutes of the first half. Full back Taniela Rawaga kicked an early penalty before flanker Rupeni Nasiga scored a try.
But after the break it was a different story as Timoteo Iosua grabbed two tries for the home team. The first arrived on 48 minutes to bring Uplou within three points. Full back Lolo Lui added a penalty midway through the half to make the score 8-8.
Iosua’s second try came only two minutes before the end of the match and was converted by Lui to hand Upolu a dramatic victory and consign Warriors to another heart-breaking defeat.
Upolu Samoa: 1 Muliufi Salanoa 2 Andrew Williams 3 Taligatuli Moala 4 Tui Fitiao 5 Ola Pipili 6 Simaika Mikaele 7 Alapasa Cordtz 8 Filipo Levi 9 Notise Tauafao 10 Roger Warren 11 Pulemalie Sopo 12 Samisoni Moala 13 Gasolo Salima 14 Timoteo Iosua 15 Lolo Lui
16 Taleni Toloa 17 Evile Telea 18 Ruperake Petaia 19 Ken Ulia 20 Dominic Gabriel 21 Joiner Key 22 Uale Mai
Tries: Timoteo Iosua 2 Conversions: Lolo Lui Penalties: Lolo Lui
Fiji Warriors: 1 Isireli Temo 2 Vili Veikoso 3 Viliame Seuseu 4 Mosese Vasuitoga 5 Iskeli Donu 6 Rupeni Nasiga 7 Wate Vocevoce 8 Deryck Thomas 9 Aperosa Vata 10 Waisea Luveniyala 11 Patrick Osbourne 12 Vuiami Ratu 13 Sadida Radidi 14 Malakai Bakaniceva 15 Taniela Rawaga
16 Vereniki Sauturaga 17 Alefoso Yalayalatabua 18 Samuela Anise 19 Apiasalome Ratuniyara 20 Waisale Vatunivoka 21 Jonetani Ratulu 22 Epeli Vuivucu
Tries: Rupeni Nasiga Conversions: Penalties: Taniela Rawaga Yellow cards: Malakai Bakaniceva
Barbarians keep PRC dreams alive
Fiji Barbarians staged a memorable second-half comeback against Tau’uta Reds to claim a 25-24 win and keep their IRB Pacific Rugby Cup hopes alive.
For Tau’uta Reds, finalists in last year’s competition, dreams of going one better are now over with their fourth consecutive defeat in this year’s tournament.
After half an hour of the match, played at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka, a Barbarians win seemed fanciful. First prop Otules Fifita and then scrum half Enele Taufa scored tries for the Reds. With fly half Vaea Poteki converting Fifita’s try, the Reds had raced to a 12-0 lead.
Ropate Ratu did score a try for the Barbarians moments before half time, but before the referee blew up the home side were down to 14 men, when Isikeli Gavidi was yellow carded.
Barbarians’ Amani Bosenawai closed the gap to 8-12 shortly after the interval with a penalty, but the Reds looked to have taken control of the game once more when captain Lotu Filipine touched down to extend his side’s lead to 19-8.
The Reds were reduced to 14 after 62 minutes when Kelepi Halafihi was yellow carded and it proved to be a key moment in the game.
Barbarians’ number 8 Ratu Josefa Nagatalevu touched down to reduce the deficit to six points. Bosenawai added the conversion and a penalty shortly afterwards to make the score 19-18 in favour of the Reds with 74 minutes on the clock.
Filipine must have thought that his try on 80 minutes had won it for the Reds. Crucially the conversion was missed. Deep into injury time replacement Apisalome Waqatabu scored a try to bring the Barbarians back to within a point of the Reds.
Bosenawi held his nerve to kick the conversion and send the majority of the 1,000-strong crowd into delirium.
Fiji Barbarians travel to Tonga to face Tautahi Gold next week. Tau’uta Reds will look to salvage some pride against Fiji Warriors.
Fiji Barbarians: 1 Sakeo Latianara; 2 Aseri Buli; 3 Isikeli Gavidi; 4 Joeli Lutumailagi; 5 Mosese Fatiaki; 6 Mitieli Cama; 7 Ameniasi Nava; 8 Ratu Josefa Nagatalevu; 9 Kelemedi Bola (capt); 10 Ravai Fatiaki; 11 Vima Tuidraki; 12 Jimi Mule; 13 Tikiko Uluiviti; 14 Ropate Ratu; 15 Isimeli Koniferedi
Replacements: 16 Eseroma Cakacaka; 17 Setefano Somoca; 18 Filipe Kuruvoli; 19 Aca Bibi; 20 Nemia Kenatale; 21 Amani Bosenawai; 22 Apisalome Waqatabu
Tries: Ratu, Nagatalevu, Waqatabu
Conversions: Bosenawai 2
Penalties: Bosenawai 3
Yellow card: Gavidi
Tau’uta Reds: 1. Otulea Fifita 2. Atelea Huakau 3. Sateki Matau 4. ‘Isileli Fine 5. Sione Timani 6. Kelepi Halafihi 7. Afele Tongia 8. Lotu Filipine (Captain) 9. ‘Enele Taufa 10. Vaea Poteki 11. Petelo Tupou 12. Sione Masima 13. ‘Ofa Takai 14. Ualosi Kailea 15. Tupou Palu.
Replacements: 16. Taniela Te’ekafa 17. Siua Halanukonuka 18. Saia Taufalele 19. Jack Ram 20. Makoni Finau 21. Sikalele Ahoafi 22. Salesi Havili.
Tries: Fifita, Taufa, Filipine 2
Conversions: Poteki 2
Penalties: Poteki
Yellow card: Halafihi
