Samoa made the most of their opportunities to score four tries against island rivals Tonga for a 27-13 win in the Pacific Nations Cup on Tuesday.
Their bonus-point victory was Samoa's second in three matches in the five-nation tournament, and will ensure they remain in second place going into the final game against Fiji at the weekend.
Tonga's forwards built a dominance of territory and possession, but failed to take advantage as they lacked coherence in attack compared with the more composed Samoans.
Tonga dominated the first half but were unable to breach their opponents' line and paid the price.
Samoa scored their first try through lock Joseph Tekori after five minutes, when he stole the ball from the breakdown to run 25 metres to touch down.
They added their second six minutes from the break from a quick tap penalty which saw the ball swung through the backline to inside centre Seilala Mapusua, who spun out of a desperate tackle to score.
Tonga stayed in touch with two first half penalties from fly-half Pierre Hola, while captain Nili Latu and fellow flanker Hale T. Pole were at the centre of the action but Tonga lacked backline punch and went into the break 10-6 down.
In the second half Samoa threatened to run away with the matchwith two converted tries inside the first 15 minutes to stretch their lead to 24-6.
Winger Sailosi Tagicakibau finished off a move in the first minute after a strong run from flanker Ofisa Treviranus breached the defence, while scrum-half Junior Poluleuluigaga latched on to a speculative kick to add the second.
Tonga soon reduced the deficit to 11 points through a converted try from replacement forward Teu'imuli Kaufusi and piled on the pressure.
But as they pushed for a try in the final minute they lost the ball on the Samoan line, a testament to another lost opportunity.
Meanwhile, The Junior All Blacks won 52-21 against Japan in a classic match of two halves. The second half saw the Japanese actually outscore the two time Pacific Nations champions 21-12, with only two tries in the dying stages of the match restoring some credibility to the scoreline.
The result maintained the Junior All Blacks unbeaten record after three matches in this year's competition.
Coached by All Blacks great John Kirwan, Japan had their moments in the first half but they were few and far between against a Junior All Blacks side who revelled in the freedom gifted them by the weak tackling Japanese.
The New Zealanders were too physical at the breakdown where the loose forward trio of Sione Lauaki, Victor Vito and Alando Soakai dominated.
Vito, a former sevens star with higher aspirations in the 15-man code, particularly enjoyed the open nature of the contest.
His two tries were both special, the first coming in the 12th minute when he picked up a loose Japanese pass, palmed off one would be tackler and sprinted 60m to the line.
His second, in the 33rd minute, saw Vito chip ahead with his left foot and casually regather en route to his team's fifth try.
They had time for one more before halftime, too, with Lauaki the beneficiary of a midfield break by fullback Israel Dagg.
In between this action, first five-eighth Colin Slade, lock Craig Clarke and wing Hosea Gear all crossed for tries.
The New Zealanders dropped their standards early in the second spell when Japan raised their spirits as captain and number eight Takashi Kikutani scored a try via a lineout drive.
They then lost prop John Schwalger temporarily when he was sinbinned for a professional foul in the 54th minute, further disrupting their increasingly disjointed efforts.
Japan continued to press and the combination between two of their New Zealand backs, Ryan Nicholas and Jack Tarrant, saw them double their score midway through the spell.
Second five-eighth Nicholas pierced the defence on an angled run and floated a high pass for wing Tarrant to accept before dotting down. Nicholas added his second sideline conversion for good measure.
Centre Koji Taira then added to the New Zealanders' discomfort when he squeezed through a small midfield hole for his team's third try in the 62nd minute.
Only now did the Junior All Blacks lift their intensity.
Stung by the second half reversal in fortunes, they upped the tempo, attacking to the far right before spreading the ball to the far left where Lauaki was left the simple duty of strolling across the tryline.
Gear had the final word in the dying seconds with his second try to enable the New Zealanders to raise their half century.
Source
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Samoa under 20s visit history.
The Samoa U20 team got a glimpse into the history and heritage of the city of Fukuoka when they visited the Fukuoka City Museum yesterday.
After a briefing by the Museum management the team was taken for a full tour of the museum. The most popular stop was the Golden Seal that was gifted by the Chinese Emperor during the Hun dynasty to the City of Fukuoka. “I was surprised and amazed that something so small was so powerful around 25 AD, that was during the time of our Lord!”said Rayhan Laulala. ‘What I found amazing was that 20 years ago the site where the museum now stands was all water,’ said Ray Pese.
Team Manager Namulauulu Leota thanked the management and staff of the museum for their hospitality and the opportunity for the team to learn about the history and heritage of the Fukuoka. The team sang a traditional Samoan song as a token of appreciation.
Source
After a briefing by the Museum management the team was taken for a full tour of the museum. The most popular stop was the Golden Seal that was gifted by the Chinese Emperor during the Hun dynasty to the City of Fukuoka. “I was surprised and amazed that something so small was so powerful around 25 AD, that was during the time of our Lord!”said Rayhan Laulala. ‘What I found amazing was that 20 years ago the site where the museum now stands was all water,’ said Ray Pese.
Team Manager Namulauulu Leota thanked the management and staff of the museum for their hospitality and the opportunity for the team to learn about the history and heritage of the Fukuoka. The team sang a traditional Samoan song as a token of appreciation.
Source
Junior World Cup 2009: Final Statistics
The final standings are:
1. New Zealand
2. England
3. South Africa
4. Australia
5. France
6. Wales
7. Samoa
8. Ireland
9. Scotland
10. Tonga
11. Argentina
12. Fiji
13. Italy
14. Canada
15. Japan
16. Uruguay
* Uruguay scored the fewest tries in the tournament with six, one fewer than Samoa with Ireland and Italy on nine the only teams not to get into double figures. Uruguay’s total was 27 less than the number of times the leading try scorers New Zealand managed to cross the try-line. Australia and France were the next best with 27 and 26 tries respectively in their five matches.
* Samoa had the best conversion rate with six of their seven tries turned into seven-pointers. By contrast the leading try scorers New Zealand converted only 19 of their 33 tries.
* The most points scored in a game was 86 in Australia’s opening win over Canada in Pool D, a far cry from the fewest points scored – just 12 in Samoa’s s 9-3 victory over Ireland in the seventh place play-off.
* Five red cards were issued over the course of the tournament – two to South Africa and one each for England, France and Samoa.
* A total of five drop goals were kicked in the tournament – the exact same number as in 2008 – with South Africa fly half cum full back Sias Ebersohn slotted two between the posts, one more than Canada captain Harry Jones, Argentina’s Joaquin Lucchetti and Winston Wilson. The latter was the most crucial, the last gasp kick sealing a 17-14 win for Samoa over Scotland on the opening day.
* Samoa prop Uini Atonio was the heaviest player, weighing in at 164kg or 25 stones 8 pounds. However despite this statistic it is Wales who are the heaviest squad with an average weight of 100kg (15 st 7 lb), while Uruguay are the lightest with an average of 87kg (13 st 7lb).
* Samoa have the tallest squad with an average height of 189cm, while Uruguay had the shortest squad with an average height of 179cm.
Source
1. New Zealand
2. England
3. South Africa
4. Australia
5. France
6. Wales
7. Samoa
8. Ireland
9. Scotland
10. Tonga
11. Argentina
12. Fiji
13. Italy
14. Canada
15. Japan
16. Uruguay
* Uruguay scored the fewest tries in the tournament with six, one fewer than Samoa with Ireland and Italy on nine the only teams not to get into double figures. Uruguay’s total was 27 less than the number of times the leading try scorers New Zealand managed to cross the try-line. Australia and France were the next best with 27 and 26 tries respectively in their five matches.
* Samoa had the best conversion rate with six of their seven tries turned into seven-pointers. By contrast the leading try scorers New Zealand converted only 19 of their 33 tries.
* The most points scored in a game was 86 in Australia’s opening win over Canada in Pool D, a far cry from the fewest points scored – just 12 in Samoa’s s 9-3 victory over Ireland in the seventh place play-off.
* Five red cards were issued over the course of the tournament – two to South Africa and one each for England, France and Samoa.
* A total of five drop goals were kicked in the tournament – the exact same number as in 2008 – with South Africa fly half cum full back Sias Ebersohn slotted two between the posts, one more than Canada captain Harry Jones, Argentina’s Joaquin Lucchetti and Winston Wilson. The latter was the most crucial, the last gasp kick sealing a 17-14 win for Samoa over Scotland on the opening day.
* Samoa prop Uini Atonio was the heaviest player, weighing in at 164kg or 25 stones 8 pounds. However despite this statistic it is Wales who are the heaviest squad with an average weight of 100kg (15 st 7 lb), while Uruguay are the lightest with an average of 87kg (13 st 7lb).
* Samoa have the tallest squad with an average height of 189cm, while Uruguay had the shortest squad with an average height of 179cm.
Source
Friday, June 19, 2009
Samoa Rugby Union Website
As you can tell from the lack of posts on my Blog, i have been too busy to get online to do updates: For the Latest Information on the Manu Samoa, you can always go to the Rugby Union Website: I will still try and Post other items when i can,
thanks
Tama Afaksi
http://www.samoarugbyunion.ws
thanks
Tama Afaksi
http://www.samoarugbyunion.ws
Junior All Blacks, Samoa win in Pac Nations Cup
The Junior All Blacks remained unbeaten in rugby's Pacific Nations Cup when they scored seven tries to trounce hosts Fiji 45-17 in Lautoka on Thursday.
After scraping to a 17-16 win over Samoa on Saturday, the New Zealanders found improved pattern and combination to overrun Fiji, who were regarded as their strongest challenger for the Pacific Nations title.
Former All Blacks winger Hosea Gear scored three tries _ two in the second half _ as New Zealand's second-string squad seized control of the match, building on a 24-7 halftime lead.
Earlier, Samoa shrugged off its home loss to the New Zealand side to beat Japan 34-15 for its first win in this year's tournament. Samoa rallied after trailing 15-12 midway through the second half to score four late tries.
The Junior All Blacks verified their championship favoritism with a performance which mixed power and flair. An outstanding forward performance laid the platform for the win and created opportunities for the Juniors' talented backline.
Gear, fellow All Black Anthony Tuitavaki and Super 14 stars Tamati Ellison and Rene Ranger scored tries as the New Zealand backs took full advantage of a steady supply of possession. The Juniors' pace, combination and handling skills were too much for Fiji, which fought hard throughout the match and were rewarded with three tries.
Scrumhalf Iliesa Kerasoni scored Fiji's only first-half try but Nemia Kenatale and Sakiusa Matadigo crossed in the second half to reward a steady effort by the home team.
Gear, Ellison, lock Tom Donnelly and Tuitavake scored in the first half for the New Zealanderes while Gear's second and third tries and others to Ellison and Ranger inflated the margin.
Samoa relied on forward power to build a 12-3 halftime lead over Japan. A try to prop Justin Va'a and a penalty try when Japan illegally disrupted a drive toward the tryline gave the Samoans a first-half lead, almost against the run of play.
Japan took the lead with second half tries to Jack Tarrant and Hirotoki Onozawa before the Samoans rallied.
Winger Sailosi Tagicakibau first reclaimed the lead for Samoa, then tries to hooker Mahonri Schwalger and replacements Esera Lauina and Semo Sititi made for a comprehensive win.
Samoa plays Tonga and the Junior All Blacks play Japan in the next round on Tuesday.
___
Scores:
Junior All Blacks 45 (Hosea Gear 3, Tom Donnelly, Tamati Ellison, Anthony Tuitavake, Rene Ranger tries; Stephen Brett 4 conversions; Colin Slade conversion), Fiji 17 (Nemia Kenatale, Sakiusa Matadigo, Iliesa Kerasoni tries; Alipate Tani conversion). HT: 24-7.
Samoa 34 (Justin Va'a, Sailosi Tagicakibau, Mahonri Schwalger, Esera Lauina, Semo Sititi tries, penalty try; Gavin Williams 2 conversions), Japan 15 (Jack Tarrant, Hirotoki Onozawa tries; Ryan Nicholas conversion, penalty). HT: 12-3.
Source
After scraping to a 17-16 win over Samoa on Saturday, the New Zealanders found improved pattern and combination to overrun Fiji, who were regarded as their strongest challenger for the Pacific Nations title.
Former All Blacks winger Hosea Gear scored three tries _ two in the second half _ as New Zealand's second-string squad seized control of the match, building on a 24-7 halftime lead.
Earlier, Samoa shrugged off its home loss to the New Zealand side to beat Japan 34-15 for its first win in this year's tournament. Samoa rallied after trailing 15-12 midway through the second half to score four late tries.
The Junior All Blacks verified their championship favoritism with a performance which mixed power and flair. An outstanding forward performance laid the platform for the win and created opportunities for the Juniors' talented backline.
Gear, fellow All Black Anthony Tuitavaki and Super 14 stars Tamati Ellison and Rene Ranger scored tries as the New Zealand backs took full advantage of a steady supply of possession. The Juniors' pace, combination and handling skills were too much for Fiji, which fought hard throughout the match and were rewarded with three tries.
Scrumhalf Iliesa Kerasoni scored Fiji's only first-half try but Nemia Kenatale and Sakiusa Matadigo crossed in the second half to reward a steady effort by the home team.
Gear, Ellison, lock Tom Donnelly and Tuitavake scored in the first half for the New Zealanderes while Gear's second and third tries and others to Ellison and Ranger inflated the margin.
Samoa relied on forward power to build a 12-3 halftime lead over Japan. A try to prop Justin Va'a and a penalty try when Japan illegally disrupted a drive toward the tryline gave the Samoans a first-half lead, almost against the run of play.
Japan took the lead with second half tries to Jack Tarrant and Hirotoki Onozawa before the Samoans rallied.
Winger Sailosi Tagicakibau first reclaimed the lead for Samoa, then tries to hooker Mahonri Schwalger and replacements Esera Lauina and Semo Sititi made for a comprehensive win.
Samoa plays Tonga and the Junior All Blacks play Japan in the next round on Tuesday.
___
Scores:
Junior All Blacks 45 (Hosea Gear 3, Tom Donnelly, Tamati Ellison, Anthony Tuitavake, Rene Ranger tries; Stephen Brett 4 conversions; Colin Slade conversion), Fiji 17 (Nemia Kenatale, Sakiusa Matadigo, Iliesa Kerasoni tries; Alipate Tani conversion). HT: 24-7.
Samoa 34 (Justin Va'a, Sailosi Tagicakibau, Mahonri Schwalger, Esera Lauina, Semo Sititi tries, penalty try; Gavin Williams 2 conversions), Japan 15 (Jack Tarrant, Hirotoki Onozawa tries; Ryan Nicholas conversion, penalty). HT: 12-3.
Source
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Samoan flanker seals Falcons move
Newcastle Falcons have confirmed the signing of Ospreys flanker Filipo Levi on a two-year deal.
Levi, 29, has played in the Super 14 competition for the Highlanders and has also played international rugby for Samoa and the Pacific Islands.
"The Falcons have impressed me with their ambition and plans for the future, and I can't wait to get on board," Levi told BBC Newcastle.
"I'm happy that we have been able to make it happen."
Newcastle director of rugby Steve Bates added that the leadership qualities of the current Samoan captain will be of huge benefit to the Falcons.
"We had identified Filipo a number of months ago as the sort of experienced leader who can help take this team to the next level," said Bates.
"We are delighted he has chosen to come to Newcastle."
Bates also said that Levi's versatility will lead to competition for places in the starting XV in a number of positions.
"We see Filipo primarily as a back-row player, but he has also played second row at the highest level, which is something that could come in to the equation should the need arise," said Bates.
"His size and physicality will both be major assets for us, especially with the expected law changes to the line-out and driving maul."
Levi's agreement to join the Falcons comes after Geoff Parling, David Wilson, Phil Dowson and Tom May all confirmed that they will be leaving Kingston Park ahead of the 2009/10 season.
However, Tongan flanker Josh Afu will be joining Newcastle from National One side Doncaster.
Source
Levi, 29, has played in the Super 14 competition for the Highlanders and has also played international rugby for Samoa and the Pacific Islands.
"The Falcons have impressed me with their ambition and plans for the future, and I can't wait to get on board," Levi told BBC Newcastle.
"I'm happy that we have been able to make it happen."
Newcastle director of rugby Steve Bates added that the leadership qualities of the current Samoan captain will be of huge benefit to the Falcons.
"We had identified Filipo a number of months ago as the sort of experienced leader who can help take this team to the next level," said Bates.
"We are delighted he has chosen to come to Newcastle."
Bates also said that Levi's versatility will lead to competition for places in the starting XV in a number of positions.
"We see Filipo primarily as a back-row player, but he has also played second row at the highest level, which is something that could come in to the equation should the need arise," said Bates.
"His size and physicality will both be major assets for us, especially with the expected law changes to the line-out and driving maul."
Levi's agreement to join the Falcons comes after Geoff Parling, David Wilson, Phil Dowson and Tom May all confirmed that they will be leaving Kingston Park ahead of the 2009/10 season.
However, Tongan flanker Josh Afu will be joining Newcastle from National One side Doncaster.
Source
TUILAGI SET TO LEARN FATE
Leicester wing Alesana Tuilagi's appeal against a four-week ban will be heard in Glasgow on Thursday.
The Samoan international was suspended after being cited for playing Bath full-back Nick Abendanon without the ball during Leicester's Heineken Cup quarter-final victory earlier this month.
Tuilagi is currently sidelined until May 21, meaning he will miss Tigers' European semi-final against Cardiff Blues on Sunday, a Guinness Premiership play-off appointment with Bath and the Premiership final at Twickenham should Leicester beat Bath again.
The appeal committee will be chaired by Professor Lorne Crerar, of Scotland.
Source
The Samoan international was suspended after being cited for playing Bath full-back Nick Abendanon without the ball during Leicester's Heineken Cup quarter-final victory earlier this month.
Tuilagi is currently sidelined until May 21, meaning he will miss Tigers' European semi-final against Cardiff Blues on Sunday, a Guinness Premiership play-off appointment with Bath and the Premiership final at Twickenham should Leicester beat Bath again.
The appeal committee will be chaired by Professor Lorne Crerar, of Scotland.
Source
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