Defending Pacific Nations Cup champions Fiji followed up their win over Pacific rivals Tonga last week by coming from behind at halftime to defeat Samoa at the Rotorua International Stadium 29-15, with approximately 5,000 in attendance. It was a physical test match that also secured Tonga's automatic qualification for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
Sue (3'), Lam (18')
Tries
Ikanivere (13'), Tamanivalu (36'), Kuruvoli (59'), Ravouvou (79')
Iona (19')
Conversions
Muntz (37', 60'), Valetini (80')
Iona (9')
Penalties
Muntz (64')
Defending Pacific Nations Cup champions Fiji followed up their win over Pacific rivals Tonga last week by coming from behind at halftime to defeat Samoa at the Rotorua International Stadium 29-15, with approximately 5,000 in attendance. It was a physical test match that also secured Tonga's automatic qualification for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
The penalty-strewn match saw the Samoans edge the Fijians at the break, the second consecutive game the Flying Fijians had to fight back to run out as winners. It was the 8th win in nine matches for Fiji over Samoa.
Samoa’s Rugby World Cup 2027 qualification hopes now depend on who they will play in the PNC 2025 fifth-placed play-off, with their opponent to be confirmed by the end of this weekend.]
Samoa captain Michael Alaalatoa said, “Very proud of our effort today. We were very disappointed after the Tonga game. We bounced back well. [There were] just a couple of moments there when we let the Fijians back in. When you’re playing against a quality side like Fiji, you can’t let those moments slip.]
We wanted to show what it means to wear the jersey. I thought for long periods of this match we showed what it means to be a Manu Samoa player. We’ve just got to nail our execution in crucial moments.”
Samoa led 8-0 and then 15-12 in the first half after tries for Samoan hooker Pita Anae and Joel Lam was set up for a try by Melani Nanai, and hooker and captain Tevita Ikanivere for Fiji (he has scored in three tests in a row) and Seta Tamanivalu.
It was the first time in three tests this year that Samoa scored a try in the first half, but the final result means it's their third straight loss in 2025.
The halftime talk from Fiji worked, but they were helped by the Samoan Taleni Seu being yellow-carded for a no-arms tackle. Fiji were attacking from across the park in the second period as they were determined to overturn the deficit and book their place in the semifinals.
A clever kick through put Simione Kuruvoli over for the third Fijian try and the first lead on the hour mark. Caleb Muntz added three off the kicking tee from the 25th penalty in the game, before Kalaveti Ravouvou secured the fourth try for the victors. The second half had been a one-score game until Fiji extended their lead to 29-15 in the 79th minute to win the contest.
Fiji Head Coach Mick Byrne commented. “When we came out in the second half, we were pretty aggressive in defence, which got us back into the game. But 14 or 15 penalties is not good enough at this level.
We just hung in there. We knew that if we could hang on to the ball and play our game, we were going to ask some questions. But, full credit to Samoa – they came out physically and played some great footy, and really asked some questions of us that we were struggling to answer in the first half.
It was just a bit of a sloppy game for us. In the first half and second half, we were physical. Our defence really stood up, and we got ourselves back into the game."
Fiji Captain Ikanivere added of Samoa, “They were very tough, very physical, and they gave us their best, which is very good for us too, because we got to play tough opponents".
Congratulations to Malaesaili Elato, who became the 700th capped Samoan Men’s 15s player.
Samoa head coach Lemalu Tusi Pisi said of the game, "I think on reflection, straight after the game, there's some really good things from our team, and there's also some things that we kind of shot ourselves in the foot in. We're heading in the right direction. The boys put on a big shift and that's what we're looking for."
