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Fiji’s Selestino Ravutaumada (centre) tries to evade a tackle from Samoa’s Theo McFarland (left) during Fiji’s match against Samoa in the 2024 World Rugby Pacific Challenge at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.
photo: AFP/Leon Lord
Fiji kicked off its 2024 Pacific Nations Cup title defence with a thumping 42-16 win over Manu Samoa in Suva on Friday night.
Fiji kicked off its 2024 Pacific Nations Cup title defence with a thumping 42-16 win over Manu Samoa in Suva on Friday night.
Flanker Kitione Salawa scored a hat trick as the Fijian Flyers thrashed Samoa in the second half, with two visiting players being shown two yellow cards.
At halftime, Samoa led 16-15, but Fiji opened up the scoring with Sarawa’s fake pass and diving attack.
The Fijian Drua player also capped the scoring with a touchdown from the sideline as Samoa made a mistake in their sideline defence.
The match marks the 100th anniversary of Test matches between the two countries, with the first international match between the two unions dating back to 1924.
Fiji captain Tevita Ikaniwi said he was happy with the win and thanked his players for their efforts.
“It was a tough game,” he said.
The Fijian team will rest next weekend and fly to Nuku’alofa for their final match on September 6.
Manu Samoa captain Theo Macfarlane said his team lost because of poor discipline.
“Although we started well in the first half, we were outplayed in the second half. Fiji has always been a good team,” he said.
Samoa will host Tonga on August 30 in Apia.
Meanwhile, Fijian centre-back Frank Lomani was named man of the match.
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