A dominant first half performance by the Fiji Water Flying Fijians side helped them beat Samoa 33-19 in round 2 of the Punjas Pacific Battle Series in Apia this afternoon.
Fiji started the game strongly with 3 quick tries in the first 20 minutes through hooker Tevita Ikanivere who scored two tries and centre Iosefo Masi with flyhalf Caleb Muntz converting only 1 try for a 17-0 lead.
Samoa’s flyhalf Christian Leali’ifano scored his side’s first try in the 23rd minute before Muntz replied with a penalty kick at goal to extend Fiji’s lead to 20-5.
Winger Selestino Ravutaumada scored a great length-of-the-field try after a great counterattack that was started by winger Kalaveti Ravouvou to put Fiji ahead to 27-5 before Muntz kicked another penalty in the 38th minute to extend Fiji’s lead.
The teams went into halftime with Fiji holding a comfortable 30-5 lead.
Samoa came back in the second spell to score 2 more tries with Muntz scoring Fiji’s only points in the second half with a penalty kick in the 53rd minute.
Flying Fijians captain Semi Radradra says they knew it was going to be tough playing against Samoa and they tried to stick to their system.
He says the team needs to work on completion as they let Samoa come Back in the second spell with those tries.
Radradra says they will try and fix their weaknesses from today’s game heading into next week’s clash against Japan.
Radradra also hailed the young players in the team especially the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua players that stepped up today.
The Flying Fijians now sit at the top of the points table with 10 points followed by Samoa with 4 points, Japan is third with 1 point while Tonga is fourth with 0 points.
The second match of the Punjas Pacific Battle Series round 2 between Tonga and Japan will be at 10.30pm tonight.
Full time FIJI 33-19 Samoa
60' Samoa scores their third try to captain Fritz Lee. Leali'ifanoa adds the conversion. FIJ 33-19 SAM.
53' Fiji awarded a penalty. Muntz takes a shot at goal and converts it well. FIJ 33-12 SAM.
45' TRY!!! Tumua Manu scores Samoa's second try. Conversion successful. FIJ30-12 SAM.
2nd half Kicks off!!!
HALF-TIME: Flying Fijians 30- 5 Manu Samoa.
38' Fiji awarded a penalty. Muntz converts a penalkty kick. FIJ 30-5 SAM.
30' TRY!! Great length of the field try from Fiji's Selestino Ravutaumada from a counter attack. Muntz converts. FIJ 27-5 SAM
25' Fiji awarded a penalty, Muntz takes a shot at goal andis successful. FIJ20-5 SAM.
23' TRY!!! Leali'ifano scores Samoa's first try. He misses the conversion. FIJ 17-5 SAM
21' Muntz misses the conversion. Score remains. FIJ 17-0 SAM.
20' TRY!!! Ikanivere scores his second try and Fiji's third. FIJ 17-0 SAM.
16' Muntz converts the try. FIJ 12-0 SAM.
15' TRY!!! Centre Iosefo Masi scores Fiji's second try. FIJ 10-0 SAM.
11' Caleb Muntz misses the conversion. Score remains. FIJ 5-0SAM.
10' TRY!! Flying Fijians Hooker Tevita Ikanivere scores Fiji's first try from a quick tap.
7' Fiji knocks the ball on through Viliame Mata. Samoa feeds into the scrum.
6' Penalty to Samoa. Samoa's flyhalf Christian Leali'ifano attempts a shot at goal and misses.
5' Scrum to Samoa after a knock on from the Flying Fijians.
KICK-OFF!!
Fiji vs Samoa
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