Fijivillage
NEWS SPORTS IN DEPTH
4 April, 2026, 11:48 pm
Central - 22°C Rain
4 April, 2026, 11:48 pm Central - 22°C Rain

Samoa begin Rugby World Cup with 43-10 bonus-point win over Chile

Samoa begin Rugby World Cup with 43-10 bonus-point win over Chile

By Alipate Narawa
17/09/2023
[Image: Stuff.co.nz]

Samoa began their Rugby World Cup campaign with a 43-10 bonus-point win over Chile in Bordeaux.

Chile took an early lead through a try from Matias Dittus, but Samoa regained control at the end of the half.

Former Australia fly-half Christian Leali'ifano kicked 14 first-half points and Duncan Paia'aua scored a late try.

Samoa put in a dominant second-half performance, scoring four tries through Jonathan Taumateine, Fritz Lee and two from Sama Malolo.

The Pacific island nation, who had an initial rest week, are seeking their first quarter-final since 1995, with what is one of their strongest squads assembled, proven by a narrow final 17-13 warm-up defeat by world number one side Ireland in August.

Samoa recruited former All Blacks Lima Sopoaga, Steven Luatua and Charlie Faumuina before the World Cup due to a change in World Rugby eligibility rules, but it was the boot of Christian Leali'ifano that was instrumental in keeping the scoreboard ticking over.

The 35-year-old, who started for Australia in their quarter-final loss to England four years ago, pulled the strings in Samoa's attack, with the pick of tries coming from Paia'aua, after a well-measured grubber kick in the midfield.

Fly-half Rodrigo Fernandez was at the heart of this and set up the opening score of the afternoon with a break, but struggled to have as much impact in the second period.

Sterner tests lie ahead for Samoa, who will be quietly growing in confidence but will likely need to beat two of Argentina, Japan or England for a realistic chance of a knockout return.

Samoa play the Pumas at 3.45am next Saturday, while Chile face England at 3.45am next Sunday.

You can check out all the Rugby World Cup stories, interviews, photos, videos and schedules on our website, fijivillage.

Source: BBC

FNRL
FEATURE NEWS
Davuilevu residents raise alarm over flooding linked to nearby development
Residents of Mataika Road in Davuilevu Housing are raising concerns over repeated flooding, which they say is being caused by nearby subdivision devel...
7 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Immanuel urges unity and resilience this Easter amid economic challenges
Finance Minister Esrom Immanuel is urging Fijians to embrace unity, resilience, and hope as the nation marks Easter. In his Easter message, Immanuel ...
5 hours ago

Fiji to host Pre-COP meeting ahead of COP31 in Antalya
Fiji is set to host a high-level Pre-COP meeting in 2026, ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference to be held in Antalya in ...
6 hours ago

Farmers to receive $68.04 per tonne after third cane payment top-up
Good news for sugarcane farmers as they will receive a total of $68.04 per tonne for the 2025 cane season after the third cane payment, as confirmed ...
6 hours ago

Davuilevu residents raise alarm over flooding linked to nearby development
Residents of Mataika Road in Davuilevu Housing are raising concerns over repeated flooding, which they say is being caused by nearby subdivision ...
7 hours ago

PRF raises growing public concern over proposed Vuda Waste-to-Energy project
Growing concern and anxiety are being raised by members of the public over the proposed Waste-to-Energy project at Vuda Point, with the Pacific ...
9 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH

Fiji Sports Council Saga: Minister ready to repay business class air fare for wife as concerns grow about Sports Council deals
I was invited to travel to New Zealand by the Fiji Sports Council for a grassroots 7s tournament in 2024, I travelled business class but it was ...
29 days ago

TOP