Tonga and Samoa will play in the 1st/2nd deciderPhotos: Zoomfiji
Apia Park in Samoa was treated to some fantastic rugby in the 2012 Oceania U19s Championship Round 3 pool play this afternoon. In hot humid conditions the youth ran their hearts out and the fans were treated to some positive and entertaining rugby.
The triple-header did not disappoint and first up was a tight tussle between much fancied Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands. Papua New Guinea had the bigger pack and threatened early, what the Solomon Islands team lacked in size they made up for in heart as they repelled everything that was fired at them. As the game wore on the fleet footed Solomon Islands team opened things up in the backs and looked dangerous with their raids. Both teams were guilty of giving ball away too easily, but were tireless in defence, which kept the thrilling game on the edge.
Solomon IslandsThe Solomon Islanders opened up the scoring after a line out on half way, they won a quick tap and raced it through the hands to pierce the defence and score in the left hand corner.
This seemed to fire up the Papua New Guinea team and their forward pack went about the task of turning the tide. The men in green were not about to give up their lead easily and tackled constantly to save their line. After 5 minutes of no go, the Papua New Guinea boys settled for an easy 3 points with a penalty in front.
Time was dangerously ticking away and the Papua New Guinea team were after a 5 pointer, on two occasions they turned down kickable penalties, but their faith was rewarded with a spectacular late try in the left hand corner to pull out in front. With two minutes to go they were ahead 8-5, but the drama was not quite over yet. The Solomon Islands boys attacked once more and moved into Papua New Guinea’s half, they retained ball and moved with speed, which drew them a penalty. The kick was taken but sadly for them drifted left to the relief of Papua New Guinea; today they used their get out of jail card big time.
PNG narrowly beat Solomon Islands 8-5Next up was American Samoa vs Vanuatu. Once again the teams looked mismatched in sheer size, but yet again this meant nothing with another tight match.
Vanuatu wasted little time in showing what pace they possess, they seized a dropped ball in the centers and toed it ahead, showing fine footwork they kept it on the toe and dived over to get the first try. Impressive skipper and first five Rob Frankin slotted the extra points to race out to 7-0. Minutes later they were at it again, their forwards were rumbling forward and got a penalty 35 meters out. Up stepped Frankin to nail the 3 and they were 10 zip.
American Samoa made some substitutions and became more patient; they started to play to their strength and size to wear down the Vanuatu team. Big prop Karisi Tiaalii was tireless with the hit ups and dented the Vanuatu resolve.
In the end size did matter and the American Samoan team notched up their first victory in the 2012 Oceania U19s Championship with a 17-10 win.
Amerian Samoa Prop Karisi Tiaalii runs towards VanuatuThe final match was the muscle men, Tonga vs Samoa. With Tonga and Samoa’s national teams setting Europe alight in the past month, the future of these nations is nothing short of breath- taking.
As the teams run out of the tunnel you have to shake your head in awe of the size of these guys. Bodies like mature men, and aggression, pace and talent to light up the pitch. These two nations are blessed with genuine rugby specimens and they did not let us down with a scorching contest.
Right from the war dances, the two sides showed their intentions, this was clearly to get to know each other and at every chance they ran at their opposite. Resisting the urge to pass, they took the direct route, this play was a tad youthful, but some of the hits and respect for each other was mighty and dictated a test match fever.
Vanuatu narrowly lost to American Samoa 10-17As the ball finally got some space the backs too played with vigor, raid after raid was fired at each other and superb handling skills and pace were showcased.
Showing great composure, Tonga knows when it is time for the forwards to rumble and their gifted No. 10 Mosese Latu continually carved up territory with thumping punts. This game plan was soon rewarded with a Latu penalty after 10 minutes and a fine try to Vai Itausia after 20 mins.
This shell shocked the home team and crowd and all of a sudden Tonga was in the driving seat.
Tonga were not finished and their backs reaped the rewards of the tight five grunt to spin wide for center Sifa Lisala to score, Latu missed the conversion but at half time they were sitting pretty up 15-0.
The second 40 had the same theme with Tonga again scoring this time through blockbusting number 8 Lui Naeata, the conversion was missed, but the game was safe.
Tonga No. 12 Palani Tahaafe unloads in a Samoan tackleThe next 20 minutes saw Samoa call on the bench, the tempo lifted and Tonga was not scared to take it head on. Fierce forward collisions were frequent and nobody was standing down from the challenge. For 20 minutes Samoa fired everything at the Tongan line and finally crossed with a try to winger Sulu Paeaia, to get the ball even he had to dig into a maul before barging over.
As the clock wore down, Samoa seemed to show superior fitness, they could not cross the line again, but will be lifted by the way in which they ended the match. These two teams will meet agian in the 2012 Oceania U19s Championship final this Thursday, and the scene is set for another cracker and it is fair to say neither side will be shy.
Tonga beat Samoa 20-5 in their Pool MatchThe Final Matches to be played at Apia Park this Thursday, 6 December 2012, are as follows:
1:00pm 5th/6th Playoff – Vanuatu v Solomon Islands
2:30pm 3rd/4th Playoff – American Samoa v Papua New Guinea
4:15pm 1st/2nd Playoff – Samoa v Tonga
http://www.oceaniarugby.com/121203_2012_oceania_u19s_round_3.html/ref/267
rugbyredefined.wordpress.com 