Samoa claims gold after beating Fiji in the rugby final of the Pacific Mini Games

The Fiji Barbarians 7's team had to settle for silver after losing to Samoa 14-7 in final of the Pacific Mini Games tournament in Vanuatu.

Samoa lead 14‑0 at half‑time, but the one thing opponents know, is that Fiji is never to be underestimated and the second half was a physical and feisty affair.

When Fiji scored, seasoned pundits were nodding in expectation that the flood gates would now open, but to Samoa’s credit they have faced this foe before.

Samoa defended well and gave Fiji no space to do their trademark break and run and as the clock ran down it became more obvious that Samoa had what it was going to take to hold on to this Pacific Games title.

Having lost to Fiji in Port Moresby at the 2015 Pacific Games, Samoa was out for revenge and managed to repeat their Mini Games form from 2013 in Wallis and Futuna.

Meanwhile, after drawing Vanuatu with 1-1, the Fiji Soccer team will play its next game against Tonga next Tuesday in the Pacific Mini Games Soccer tournament.

After drawing two games and winning one game, Fiji now has 5 points.

Fiji drew with Vanuatu 1-1.

Christopher Wasasala scored the lone goal for Fiji.

Fiji will take on Tonga at 2pm on Tuesday.

Looking at the Medal tally, Fiji is on 2nd place with 15 Gold, 10 Silver and 13 Bronze, New Caledonia is in the 1st place with 24 Gold, 10 Silver and 6 Bronze while Samoa is in the 3rd place with 14 Gold, 9 Silver and 6 Bronze medals.