Samoa second Pacific nation to beat Italy
ITALY have lost to a Pacific Island nation for the second straight week, yesterday going down to Samoa 15-0.
Former Hurricanes first-five Tusi Pisi landed five penalties to score all of the points in the match in Apia. Last weekend the Azzurri lost to Fiji 25-14.
It was a face-saving performance for Samoa after a sub-par 18-18 draw with Tonga last week while it ended a disappointing trip to the Pacific for Italy.
Italy would have hoped to build some confidence in their side with the World Cup happening next year, but instead they paid the price for repeated infringements within kicking range of now Japanbased Pisi.
He landed four penalties in the first half and one in the second to score all the points in the match.
It was the fifth time Samoa have beaten Italy in the six times they have met.
Also yesterday Fiji centre Nemani Nadolo scored a try among his 20 points as the hosts beat Tonga 45-17 in their opening match of the Pacific Nations Cup.
Wingers Watisoni Votu and Sireli Bobo both scored two tries and backrower and captain Akapusi Qera scored another as Fiji piled on six tries to two in a comprehensive performance.
Fiji led 24-3 at halftime but Tonga rallied midway through the second half with two tries in two minutes to replacement Viliami Fihaki.
Fiji calmly closed out the match with tries in the closing minutes to Bobo and Qera.