Fiji Bati comeback secures win over Toa Samoa in Pacific Test

About 20 minutes into the historic test at Apia Park yesterday, Toa Samoa scored three consecutive tries leaving the Fijians to regroup in a short 30 second break.

Coming back from the breather, Fiji began pounding at the Samoan front line, leading to their first three tries, before the halftime hooter.

The score remained 16 to 18 until the final 10 minutes when a crucial error at the Fijian goal line, led to Apisai Koroisau sprinting the length of the field for the apparent winning try.

Fiji continued to show consistent defense, repeatedly stopping the Samoan’s attack at their goal line. Captain Kevin Naiqama says while the win was a good result for the people of Fiji, it was still an honor to take part in the whole week long celebration.

“First of all thank you to the Samoan boys for the game. It was a great game and thank the people of Samoa for their hospitality. It’s been an amazing week for us and hopefully we get to meet again in Fiji,” he said.

Junior Paulo who was the Man of The Match Award obviously disappointed with the results says while the loss is a gutting feeling, the campaign for the World Cup is looking good.

“I’m definitely coming back, next year you’ll be seeing me in that blue jersey if Matt (Parish) picks me,” he said.

“We just coughed up a lot of errors in there but we had opportunities and somehow we need to keep pounding at that line. We put on a good show but unfortunately were unable to get the job done,” he added.

Fiji Bati presented the Rugby League Samoa management, president Tagaloa Faafouina Sua and his team with a special present from their home country to commemorate the 30th anniversary of rugby league in Samoa.



Photo: NRL / Loop Samoa