Fiji entertain crowd as Samoa swamped

Fiji caused an upset in the opening test of the rugby league tripleheader yesterday, defeating Samoa 44-18 in Auckland.

Neutrals in the crowd were treated to a great attacking display from Fiji who made ground with their forwards and created openings for their outside backs.

Samoa struggled defensively and Fiji found it all too easy to break through.

Fiji were rank outsiders, but got off to a good start with hooker Joe Lovodua throwing a dummy pass close to the Samoan line, which opened up a gap for him to run through.

In the eighth minute Fiji had their second try, as D’ryhs Miller took an offload that caught out the Samoan defence and dotted down in the corner.

The rout continued as Viliame Kikau brought up Fiji’s third try in the 17th minute. Joseph Ratuvakacereivalu stretched over six minutes later for Fiji’s next try. Tim Lafai ended Samoa’s embarrassment by

Fiji 44

(Viliame Kakau 2, Joe Lovodua, D’rhys Miller, Joseph Ratuvakacereivalu, Isaac Lumelume, Brayden Williame, Kevin Naiqama tries; Brandon Wakeman 5 , Sitiveni Moceidreke goals) (Jorge Taufua 2, Tim Lafai, Ronaldo Mulitalo tries; Lafai goal). 30-6.

Samoa 18

HT:

taking a pass from Jarome Luai and scoring in the 27th minute to get his country on the board.

But just before the break second rower Kikau had his second try, scoring beside the posts as Fiji moved into a position to have the game wrapped up by halftime.

Ten minutes into the second half Jorge Taufua took a no look, behind the back flick pass from Lafai for Samoa’s second try.

But Fiji responded quickly with a try to winger Isaac Lumelume by the left corner flag.

There were further tries to Fiji from Brayden Williame and Kevin Naiqama, while Taufua and Ronaldo Mulitalo scored late consolation tries for Samoa.