Samoa A recorded its first win of the Pacific Rugby Cup 2014 campaign with a hard fought win against a bigger Tonga A side at the TG Milner Oval Tuesday night.
Team Manager Vaaelua Aloi Alesana says the game lived up to the usual physical and tough but clean approach by the two teams.
Samoa A scored the first point from an unconverted try to Captain Maselino Paulino on the 14th minute.
Tonga A responded with a converted try on the 23rd minute taking the score to 5-7 to Tonga A. Tonga extended the lead to 5-10 with a penalty kick. Halftime score was 5-10 to Tonga A. Samoa could have been in the lead but missed 4 close range penalty attempts.
The score was drawn at 10 all with an unconverted try to Samoa A on the 48th minute by fullback Tila Mealoi. Samoa A was then short by one man when lock Tofatu Solia (4) got the yellow card in the 53rd minute.
Samoa A scored the next points from a charge down try to ace flanker (7) Oneone Faafou on the 58th minute and converted by halfback replacement Shane Tetzlaff. Score 17-10 to Samoa A.
Tonga A closed the gap with a penalty kick on the 63rd minute. Score 17-13.
Samoa A continued to attack and was rewarded with a second try to (7) Oneone Faafou which was converted again by Shane Tetzlaff on the 66th minute. Samoa A 24-13. Another penalty by Shane Tetzlaff took the score to 27-13.
The second yellow card to Faialaga Afamasaga on the 78th minute saw Tonga A finished the game with an unconverted try on the 80th minute.
Final score was 27-18 to Samoa A.
Samoa A also missed 3 penalties in the second half. Samoa A earned a bonus point by scoring 4 tries.
Team Manager Vaaelua Aloi Alesana says Samoa A now have 6 points; 1 point from last week’s game against NSW having lost by less than 7 points and 5 points from today’s game.
“Alefosio Tapili suffered a knee injury in the 30th minute and is now being looked at by our physiotherapist. We shall have a full report on his injury tomorrow.”
“Samoa A’s whole team played exceptionally well, displaying a lot of courage and discipline. Our loosies (7) Oneone Faafou and (6) Faalemiga Selesele were outstanding and thus were given our teams players of the game award,” Vaaelua added.
Samoa A’s next game will be on Tuesday 11th March against Argentina Pampas in Canberra at Royal Military College at 4.00pm.
The team departs Sydney on Sunday 9th March for a four hour bus drive to Canberra to AIS where the team will be based.
APIA, (TALAMUA ONLINE)
