FIJI RUGBY UNION
WESTERN SAMOA 0 FIJI 6 THE FIRST TEST MATCH OF 1924
Fiji victors by six nil
Race Course Ground, Apia. Monday, 18 August, 1924
Western Samoa 0 Fiji 6
By A.S. Farebrother
– Fiji Times and Herald
The SS Tofua reached Apia from Suva on Sunday, 16th August and the Fiji representatives went ashore to gain their sea legs and walked as far as the racecourse, where the match was to be played the following morning, returning to the ship at 5.45pm and retired at about 8.30 as the match was to played at 7am.
The Apia Rugby Association welcomed the team aboard the Tofua and arranged for boats from the ship to the shore and cars from the landing to the racecourse and return, which were greatly appreciated by the party.
Few teams have shown such a reversal to form as Fiji did yesterday, as compared with their form on Albert Park a week ago. From the outset Fiji rushed the ball to their opponents 25, and play hovered there for some time, until by some good play by Apia forwards were far too heavy for the Fiji men with the result that Apia forwards hooked the ball on practically every occasion, but by the smartness of the opposition, the efforts of Moors (scrum half) were foiled.
Owing to the state of the ground the ball became very greasy and both teams found it difficult to hold the ball. The Fiji three-quarters started some good rushes, but on every occasion could not retain possession of the ball, so instructions were given to keep the ball at the toe. From a dribbling rush, Devo picked up smartly and scored 10 yards from the corner. Esava failed at goal. Fiji 3, Samoa 0.
From the kick-off some excellent line kicking took place on both sides, I Railey (Apia), being particularly effective. At this stage the Fiji three-quarters were too far apart and Edward intercepted and raced for the line, but the full back made no mistake at the same time one or two others had caught up secured the ball and kicked out.
Soon after, the half-time whistle sounded with Fiji leading 3 to nil. Resuming some fast hard clean play eventuated and the play was mainly in the Apia 25 until a fine kick drove Fiji back to their own line and the ball raced up and down the field amid intense excitement. Several free kicks for off side play by several of the Fiji men helped the Apia men somewhat. From a mark the ball was printed and followed on fast Savenaca secured, dodged one or two and scored. Samisoni with a fine kick hit the cross-bar, making the score 6 to nil.
Samoa kicked off and some very clever play was witnessed by both sides and the spectators, who numbered between 500 and 600, barracked hard for the local team and in a flash the ball was in the Fiji corner, but a forced relieved and the ball remained until the final whistle.
The speed of the Fiji men seemed to be the main reason for the success attained, but the big sturdy men of Apia will have to be reckoned with when the return match is played in about a month’s time. Different tactics will have to be used, but I anticipate another win after many matches that are to played in Tonga.
Practically every man played well and there were no lucifers on either side; each player was out to win. The general opinion on all sides was that the game was the cleanest and finest exhibition of football played in Samoa.
The team sailed again at 6 pm enroute to Nukualofa a very happy lot and all well, and they are looking forward confidently to the matches in Tonga. The improvement in form was not expected. Apia are very interested in the doings of the Fiji team and have asked for the results of the test matches to be sent to them by radio. Conference will be held shortly for an inter-islands team to be sent to NZ next yer. The team will be selected from Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga should the conference approve.
Samoa: T Allen, Quapati, Toni, Manu, Funu, Semisi, Ata, Atiga, H Moors, Moli, I Riley, Pio, Edward, A Meredith, A MacDonald.
Fiji: Esava K, Vosa U, W Devo, Tubu L, Atu L, Kukuka B, Levani M, Feretti N, Levani T, Samisoni K, Sikeli T, Sakiusa K, Savenaca T, A Amaraki, Sairusi N.
Tries: W Devo, Savenaca T
Referee: H L Halliday.
Fiji beat Western Samoa in first Test
- The Samoa Times, August 22, 1924
Samoa's first international against Fiji kicked off at 7am. The early call was so the Fijian team could leave for Tonga, their main destination, at 4pm on the steamer MV Tofua, and so that thier opponents could go to work after the game.
Quite a big crowd assembled at the race course and the football authorities were pleased indeed to see so many spectators at such an early hour.
The Samoan team, headed by Harry W Moors, promptly took to the field at 7am closely followed by the Fijians who were in all black, the Samoans being in the all white uniform.
Soon after kick-off, it was apparent that the men from Fiji knew something about the game, and the splendid combined work of their forwards made the Samoan backs realise that they had their cut to win.
The local boys were kept on the defensive most of the game, the black forwards keeping the pressure right from the word 'go', and the backs, once they had settled down, handled the slippery ball in good style, kicking to touch with fine judgement, although using barefeet to do it.
The first score was in the first half, and it came from a strong forward attack from the blacks. The second three points came towards the end of the game, when a big Fijian snapped the ball up in the loose and dived for the line, getting over with three opponents hanging on to him.
Mr Halliday made an efficient referee. The game was played in splendid spirit. It was hard at times, but there was no suggestion of rough and dirty play
Race Course Ground, Apia. Monday, 18 August, 1924
Western Samoa 0 Fiji 6
By A.S. Farebrother
– Fiji Times and Herald
The SS Tofua reached Apia from Suva on Sunday, 16th August and the Fiji representatives went ashore to gain their sea legs and walked as far as the racecourse, where the match was to be played the following morning, returning to the ship at 5.45pm and retired at about 8.30 as the match was to played at 7am.
The Apia Rugby Association welcomed the team aboard the Tofua and arranged for boats from the ship to the shore and cars from the landing to the racecourse and return, which were greatly appreciated by the party.
Few teams have shown such a reversal to form as Fiji did yesterday, as compared with their form on Albert Park a week ago. From the outset Fiji rushed the ball to their opponents 25, and play hovered there for some time, until by some good play by Apia forwards were far too heavy for the Fiji men with the result that Apia forwards hooked the ball on practically every occasion, but by the smartness of the opposition, the efforts of Moors (scrum half) were foiled.
Owing to the state of the ground the ball became very greasy and both teams found it difficult to hold the ball. The Fiji three-quarters started some good rushes, but on every occasion could not retain possession of the ball, so instructions were given to keep the ball at the toe. From a dribbling rush, Devo picked up smartly and scored 10 yards from the corner. Esava failed at goal. Fiji 3, Samoa 0.
From the kick-off some excellent line kicking took place on both sides, I Railey (Apia), being particularly effective. At this stage the Fiji three-quarters were too far apart and Edward intercepted and raced for the line, but the full back made no mistake at the same time one or two others had caught up secured the ball and kicked out.
Soon after, the half-time whistle sounded with Fiji leading 3 to nil. Resuming some fast hard clean play eventuated and the play was mainly in the Apia 25 until a fine kick drove Fiji back to their own line and the ball raced up and down the field amid intense excitement. Several free kicks for off side play by several of the Fiji men helped the Apia men somewhat. From a mark the ball was printed and followed on fast Savenaca secured, dodged one or two and scored. Samisoni with a fine kick hit the cross-bar, making the score 6 to nil.
Samoa kicked off and some very clever play was witnessed by both sides and the spectators, who numbered between 500 and 600, barracked hard for the local team and in a flash the ball was in the Fiji corner, but a forced relieved and the ball remained until the final whistle.
The speed of the Fiji men seemed to be the main reason for the success attained, but the big sturdy men of Apia will have to be reckoned with when the return match is played in about a month’s time. Different tactics will have to be used, but I anticipate another win after many matches that are to played in Tonga.
Practically every man played well and there were no lucifers on either side; each player was out to win. The general opinion on all sides was that the game was the cleanest and finest exhibition of football played in Samoa.
The team sailed again at 6 pm enroute to Nukualofa a very happy lot and all well, and they are looking forward confidently to the matches in Tonga. The improvement in form was not expected. Apia are very interested in the doings of the Fiji team and have asked for the results of the test matches to be sent to them by radio. Conference will be held shortly for an inter-islands team to be sent to NZ next yer. The team will be selected from Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga should the conference approve.
Samoa: T Allen, Quapati, Toni, Manu, Funu, Semisi, Ata, Atiga, H Moors, Moli, I Riley, Pio, Edward, A Meredith, A MacDonald.
Fiji: Esava K, Vosa U, W Devo, Tubu L, Atu L, Kukuka B, Levani M, Feretti N, Levani T, Samisoni K, Sikeli T, Sakiusa K, Savenaca T, A Amaraki, Sairusi N.
Tries: W Devo, Savenaca T
Referee: H L Halliday.
Fiji beat Western Samoa in first Test
- The Samoa Times, August 22, 1924
Samoa's first international against Fiji kicked off at 7am. The early call was so the Fijian team could leave for Tonga, their main destination, at 4pm on the steamer MV Tofua, and so that thier opponents could go to work after the game.
Quite a big crowd assembled at the race course and the football authorities were pleased indeed to see so many spectators at such an early hour.
The Samoan team, headed by Harry W Moors, promptly took to the field at 7am closely followed by the Fijians who were in all black, the Samoans being in the all white uniform.
Soon after kick-off, it was apparent that the men from Fiji knew something about the game, and the splendid combined work of their forwards made the Samoan backs realise that they had their cut to win.
The local boys were kept on the defensive most of the game, the black forwards keeping the pressure right from the word 'go', and the backs, once they had settled down, handled the slippery ball in good style, kicking to touch with fine judgement, although using barefeet to do it.
The first score was in the first half, and it came from a strong forward attack from the blacks. The second three points came towards the end of the game, when a big Fijian snapped the ball up in the loose and dived for the line, getting over with three opponents hanging on to him.
Mr Halliday made an efficient referee. The game was played in splendid spirit. It was hard at times, but there was no suggestion of rough and dirty play
