THIS was an important match for the Manu Samoa – it would determine whether they qualified the Rugby World Cup 2027. A Fiji win would mean qualification for the Ikale Tahi. Fiji automatically qualified after reaching the quarter finals in the last World Cup in France 2023.
Manu Samoa showed good intentions early on with excellent attacking shapes and perfectly executed as they mounted pressure.
The rolling maul from the lineouts worked well for Samoa and quickly became their main weapon. Fiji did not contest the lineouts which made easy for Samoa to drive and roll the mauls.
Captain Michael Alaalatoa opted to kick for touch from penalties, indicating confidence in the maul as they hunted for tries.
Iakopo Mapu at Number 8 was Samoa’s bulldozer, making solid runs against the Fijian defence who struggled to contain him.
Elia Canakaivata was at his usual best for Fiji, tackling ferociously and running solidly on attack.
Captain Ikanivere controlled his pack well and his lineout throws were spot-on.
Fiji’s Kitione Salawa made a return at openside flanker and sparked some Fijian magic with his quick taps and linebreaks.
Setareki Tamanivalu showed his vast experience. The former All Black ran a really good line to score Fiji’s second try.
Fiji trailed Samoa 12 points to 15 at half time.
Samoan fly-half Rodney Iona was impressive in the number 10 jersey. Iona plays for the Seattle Seawolves in the Major League Rugby competition in the USA. Probably his only significant mistake of the game was when he over-cooked a penalty kick for touch early in the second half, apart from that, Iona played an exceptional game.
Samoa blindside flanker Taleni Seu received a yellow card in the 49th minute for a shoulder charge. Samoa had to work extra hard not to concede any points during Seu’s 10 minutes in the sin bin.
Fiji took the lead in the 60th minute. Etonia Waqa showed his silky skills and vision out in the left wing when he grubbered the ball for Kuruvoli to dive in for a wonderful try. Waqa is a special kind of loose forward. The score was now 19–15.
Fiji’s fly half had a good day with the boot, successfully kicking two of three conversions and one penalty goal. Replacement Kemueli Valetini kicked one conversion.
The Flying Fijians hung on to the ball and were physical throughout the whole game. Kalaveti Ravouvou then cemented the match with a scintillating try in the 79th minute making the scoreline 29–15.
With that win, Fiji has now qualified for the Pacific Nations Cup semi-finals and is scheduled to play the runner-up for Pool A – Canada. Japan will play Tonga in the second semi-final.