Samoa post six-try win over Tonga in Pacific Nations Cup
MATCH REPORT: Samoa held off a second-half revival by visitors Tonga to post a 43-17 win in Apia on Friday and their first victory in the Pacific Nations Cup.
Wing Tuna Tuitama scored two tries as Samoa took a 29-0 lead before Tonga fought back after the break with loose forward Lotu Inisi touching down twice.
Samoa sealed the win with flank Izaiha Moore-Aiono and lock Samuel Slade grabbing late tries.
The hosts bounced back in Apia having been thumped 16-42 by Fiji in their opening Pool A game last Friday in Suva.
The Samoans led from the front against Tonga as centre Stacey Ili crashed over from the base of the ruck, before setting up the second try for Tuitama.
Flyhalf D'Angelo Leuila kicked both conversions and landed a penalty as Samoa went into the break 17-0 up.
The hosts grabbed two more tries in quick succession after the break.
Tuitama bagged his second and Moore-Aiono dotted down from close range, stretching the score to 29-3 as Tonga flyhalf Patrick Pellegrini landed a penalty to put the visitors on the board.
The Tongans further narrowed the gap to 29-17 with just under 20 minutes left when No.8 Inisi twice barged his way over.
Pellegrini landed both conversions, to the delight of the travelling fans.
The hosts sealed the win when Moore-Aiono grabbed his second try from close range and Slade burst through the defence to score Samoa's sixth try.
In Pool B on Saturday the USA host Canada, who lost their opening game to Japan last weekend.
The top two teams from each group qualify for the knock-out stages, ahead of the final in Osaka on September 21.
The scorers:
For Samoa:
Tries: Ili, Tuitama 2, Moore-Aiono 2, Slade
Cons: Iona 2, Leuila 3
Pen: Leuila
For Tonga:
Tries: Inisi 2
Cons: Pellegrini 2
Pen: Pellegrini
Teams:
Samoa: 15 Afa Moleli, 14 Tuna Tuitama, 13 Stacey Ili, 12 Alapati Leiua, 11 Tomai Alosio, 10 Alai D'Amgelo, 9 Melani Matavo, 8 Iakopo Petelo Mapu, 7 Izalha Moore-Aiono, 6 Theo MacFarland (captain), 5 Samuel Slade, 4 Benjamin Petaia Nee-nee, 3 Tieta Tuimauga, 2 Sama Malolo, 1 Aki Seiuli.
Replacements: 16 Luteru Tolai, 17 Andrew Tuala, 18 Brook Toomalatai, 19 Michael Curry, 20 Jonah Mau'u, 21 Danny Tusitala, 22 Rodney Iona, 23 Lalomilo Lalomilo.
Tonga: 15 Nikolai Foliaki, 14 Esau Filimoehala, 13 Fine Inisi, 12 Fetuli Paea, 11 John Tapueluelu, 10 Patrick Pellegrini, 9 Manu Paea, 8 Lotu Inise, 7 Siosiua Moala, 6 Tupou Afungia, 5 Onehunga Kaufusi, 4 Harrison Matale, 3 Ben Tameifuna (captain), 2 Penisoni Fineanganofo, 1 Tau Koloamatangi.
Replacements: 16 Solomone Aniseko, 17 Jethro Felemi, 18 Brandon Televave, 19 Tevita Ahokovi, 20 Sosefo Sakalia, 21 Aisea Halo, 22 Tyler Pulini, 23 Samuel Tuitupou.
Referee: Takehito Namekawa (Japan)
Assistant referees: Angus Mabey (New Zealand), Katsuki Furuse (Japan)