Fiji held on to defeat Samoa 16-14 in their FORU U19 opening match at the Prince Charles Park in Nadi Wednesday.

Led by skipper Kini Murimurivalu, Fiji started the first half well, scoring two tries to winger Simione Ravaga and hooker Josaia Cikaitoga. Two penalty goals via fly-half Sakiusa Malai saw Fiji lead 16-7 in the break. Samoa’s points came from a converted try to scrumhalf Ben Leia.

In the second half, Samoa came back with another converted try to narrow the deficit to 16-14. They were handed two opportunities via penalty goals to claim the lead and win, but to the delight of the home crowd, Samoa fullback Leleisiuao failed to convert both to points to see Fiji remain at the top at the stroke of full-time.

Quotes:

Iosefo Bele (Fiji coach):
“We still have a lot of work to do. We started off okay in the first half although we could have done better. There was no structure in our game and I think our defence was weak. Most of the time Samoa was breaking into our defence and playing in our territory. “

“And another major weakness on our part was the failure to focus and commit for the full 80minutes of the game. Into the second half, I think because we were ahead the boys felt they could relax a bit and this is when Samoa started coming at us.”

“These are but some of the areas that we will be looking at closely in the break days we have ahead of us and before we play Tahiti on Saturday. Hopefully we will be able to rectify our mistakes and step up our game.”

Epeli Naituivau (HPU coach):
“It was a good game but I think the boys could have done better. It looked like they were relaxing in the second half. They played without structure in the first half and they were running around too much.

“The game plan was to play forward phase rugby but I think in their excitement the boys forgot to stick to it. They were playing to the Samoan team’s pace and were running around unnecessarily. And by second half, they were too tired to perform and even score for that matter. And the other problem was our defence, the players were not moving together like the team. I believe that after today’s game, the coaches have some idea of the team’s weaknesses and strengths and closely work on these areas.”

Talemo Waqa (FRU Referees Coordinator on the ELV Laws):
“On the ELV laws, I think everyone looked like they adapted well.  Generally, the players and the referees alike performed above expectations. They performed much better than we expected. I believe they are getting the hang of it.”

“The word back from the referees that the ELV laws certainly quickened the pace of the game and you could tell by the cheers from the crowd just how exciting this was.”

“The only concern from the referees end was the positional play during the scrum where the backline moves back 5metres. The players and the assistant referees looked confused but I don’t think it is something to worry about. All in all I think the sessions we have had with the officials and players have paid off and the little loose ends just need a little adjusting.
 

Wednesday 3 September 2008
Fiji 16 Samoa 14

FORU U19 Tournament - Day 1

Prince Charles Park, Nadi

Half-time: 16-7
Referee: Mounga Vea (Tonga)
 
FIJI: 15 Neisiasa Moala (Koroi Yavala 60), 14 Ilaitia Leka, 13 Atalemo Waqa, 12 Kini Murimurivalu (capt), 11 Simione Ravaga, 10 Sakiusa Malai (Tevita Taga 69), 9 Henry Seniloli (Beniamino Raisele 73), 8 Sainivalati Takailagi (Luke Nakobukobua 56), 7 Epeli Qativi, 6 Aseri Baleitamana, 5 Penisoni Ledua, 4 Josese Bolabasaga (Jovesa Tanikorolevu 67), 3 Manasa Saulo (Obaia Tanua 66), 2 Josaia Cikaitoga (Ifereimi Lalakolabasa 73), 1 Waisea Daveta
 
SAMOA: 15 Ivy Leleisiuao, 14 Amate Viane (Europa Europa 62), 13 Leioa Saofaiga (Leuma Tuiloli 43), 12 Iafeta Laau, 11 Iosefo Tapusua, 10 Karl Malielelaoi, 9 Ben Leia, 8 Sono Tikeri, 7 Falemiga Selesele, 6 Talalelei Moli, 5 Rau Pese, 4 Vailele Tauloa (Daniel Asalemo 66), 3 Viliamu Afatia, 2 Steven Savali, 1 Siaosi Iona (Aomavaega Malo 48)
Not used: Tavita Filifili, Roma Leuluaiaui, Taivalu Enosa

Scoring Sequence (Fiji’s scores shown first):
5min – TRY FIJI, Ravaga, conversion Malai (missed) – 5-0
15min – TRY SAMOA, Leia, conversion Leleisiuao – 5-7
19min – PEN GOAL FIJI, Malai -8-7
31min – PEN GOAL FIJI, Moala – 11-7
34min – TRY FIJI, Cikaitoga, conversion Malai (missed) – 16-7
Half-time
60min – TRY SAMOA, Tapusua, conversion Leleisiuao – 16-14
58min – PEN GOAL SAMOA, Leleisiuao (missed) – 16-14
72min – PEN GOAL SAMOA, Leleisiuao (missed) – 16-14
Full-time

=-===


Wednesday 3 September 2008
Tonga 76 Vanuatu 5
FORU U19 Tournament – Day 1
Prince Charles Park, Nadi
Half-time: 50-0
Referee: Samuela Tuidraki
Att: 300


TONGA: 15 Wilson Fakakovifaetau, 14 Sione Lafo’ou, 13 Nafetalai Fifita, 12 Mata’ali Paea (Whitora Tuifua 76), 11 Charlton ‘Uatafe Dennis Naitoko 76), 10 ‘Ahofono ‘Alovili, 9 Tufui Vea  (Finau Tupu 76), 8 Usaia Kalamafoni, 7 Mafi ‘Amanaki  (Malakai Fekitoa 54), 6 Molisi matakaiongo, 5 Halaleva Fifita, 4 Taniela Na’a (Sekame Tukuafu 76), 3 Etuate Katoa, 2 Sione Lolohea (Sakalia Sili 76), 1 Solomone Latu Patrick Makaafi
Tries: Paea (2), Naitoko (2), Fifita, Alovili, Vae, Amanaki, Matakaiongo, Fifita,Lolohea,  Makaafi ; Conversions: Fakakovikateau (8)

VANUATU:  15 Chacarua Waute, 14 Kalterika D=avi (Rousa 43), 13 Sabion Kalpon (Omari Bakokoto 560, 12 Bakakato Saby, 11 Lui Bron, 10 Joseph Donson, 9 Saurei Jeffery, 8 Obed Philip (Iong Pascal 76), 7 Malasu Robbie, 6 Tulangi Brian, 5 Joel Ralph, 4 Kalsakau Juby (Kalpuka 76)i, 3 Fred Shem( Bill Vano 59),, 2 Mila Malakai  (Tony Lui 76),, 1 Taso Kalorai (Kunro Kaio 69)
Try: Kalpukaiw


====




Wednesday 3 September 2008
PNG 83 Tahiti 0

FORU U19 Tournament – Day 1

Prince Charles Park, Nadi

Half-time: 38-0
Referee: Samuela Tuidraki
Att: 300

PNG: 15 Christopher Kakah (C) , 14 Kirarock Ngaffin,13 Jackson Pato,12 Ikupu Tamarua,11 Steven Jacob,10 Junior Kautu (Leslie Mogua 26),9 O’Jay Moka (Raphael Saea 19),8 Joshua Posu  (Edgar Mongoru 70) 7 Hanley Messea  (Christopher Namani  62),6 Desmond Korpok,5 David Moses  (Yahu Possy 74),4 Alex Kupu,3 Raymond Kare(Michael Sanginumbuk 48),2 Boe Vaieke Boe,1 Fairi Fairi (Cameron Wai 52)
Tries: Mogua (2), Korpok (2), Saea (2), Kupu, Posu, Pate, Vaieke,  Kakah, Ngaffin, Pato; Conversions: Mogua (5), Kautu (4),

TAHITI: 15 Loic Loulos 14 Heiakli Teiuanchi 13 Tainchi Hauata (yellow card 17-26) 12 Christopher Guillain (Tehei Maifa 60, Emerson Amaral Da Silva 70) 11 Moruim Scolege 10 Lifaga Kaufusi 9 Terai Avaeopiw 8 Viliami Kaufusi  (capt, yellow card 43-52),  7 Teuia Ikiliaa 6 Guillaame Deverre 5 Tanoa Toofa(Narhieu  67)4 Lihearai Nahuru( Lloyd Hauata 48) 3 Tautu (Auia Silio 14) 2 Renny Tisseire 1 Tunui Tehuiotoa
Not used: Alexandre Ioane


Scoring Sequence (PNG’s scores shown first):
2min – TRY PNG, Kakah; conversion Kautu (missed) – 5-0
5min – TRY PNG Ngaffin, conversion Kautu – 12-0
17min – TRY PNG, Korpok, conversion Kautu – 19-0
19min – TRY PNG Saea, conversion Kautu – 26-0
25min – TRY PNG Saea, conversion Kautu – 33-0
31min – TRY PNG Kupu, conversion Kakah (missed) – 38-0
Half-time
44min – TRY PNG Posu, conversion Mogua – 45-0
47min – TRY PNG, Pato, conversion Mogua – 52-0
51min – TRY PNG, Vaieke, conversion Mogua (missed) – 57-0
56min – TRY PNG, Korpok, conversion Mogua – 64-0
60min – TRY PNG, Pato, conversion Mogua (missed) – 69-0
67min – TRY PNG, Mogua, conversion Mogua – 76-0
72min – TRY PNG, Mogua, conversion Mogua – 83-0
Full-time
 
==END