Samoa edge Tonga

Samoa 20 Tonga 18

05th June 2012

NAGOYA, Japan: Scrum half Galuefa Falamoe touched down early in the second half to lead Samoa to a 20-18 win over Tonga in the opener of the Pacific Nations Cup rugby tournament on Tuesday.

Samoan stand-off Ki Anufe scored two penalties while Tonga’s Kurt Morath had three as Tonga led 9-6 at half time.

The Samoans got off to a flying start after the break with Falamoe scoring a try only two minutes into the second half to take the lead 11-9. Anufe made it 13-9 with a conversion.

Morath closed the gap to only one point with another penalty two minutes later but skipper David Lemi consolidated Samoa’s lead with a try in the 49th minute for 18-12 and Anufe completed the scoring with a conversion.

Morath, who added two more penalties, had a chance to catch up with Samoa towards the end of the second half, but his attempts at a penalty and a drop goal went wide. — AFP

David Lemi SamoaTry for Samoa: David Lemi

The scorers:

For Samoa:
Tries: Falamoe, Lemi
Cons: Anufe 2
Pens: Anufe 2

For Tonga:
Pens: Morath 6

Samoa: 15 Faatoina Autagavaia, 14 Ken Pisi, 13 Alvin Tavana, 12 Ki Anufe, 11 David LEmi (c), 10 Lolo Lui, 9 Galuefa Falamoe, 8 Benjamin Masoe, 7 Afa Aiono, 6 Daniel Chricton, 5 Maselino Paulino, 4 Faatiga Lemalu, 3 Logovii Mulipola, 2 Pelesiusi Fualau, 1 Sakaria Taulafo.
Replacements:16 Wayne Ole Avei, 17 Viliamu Afatia, 18 Misioka Timoteo, 19 Alafoti Faosiliva, 20 Jeremy Sua, 21 Paul Perez, 22 Patrick Faapale.

Tonga: 15 Viliami Iongi, 14 Damien Fakafanua, 13 Mafileo Kefu, 12 Alipate Fatafehi, 11 Alaska Taufa, 10 Kurt Morath, 9 Taniela Moa, (C), 8 Paula Kaho, 7 Sione Vaiomounga, 6 Steven Mafi, 5 Josh Afu, 4 Joe Tuineau, 3 Kisi Pulu, 2 Ilaisa Maasi, 1 Viliami Pola
Replacements: 16 Tevita Mailau, 17 Sila Puafisi, 18 Osaiasi Pepa Kolomatangi, 19 Vili Fainga’a, 20 Thomas Palu, 21 Siale Piutau, 22 Sefa Vaka.

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