Samoa beat Tonga to take APC lead

Two second-half scores from Johnny Vaili led Samoa ‘A’ to a 23-15 win over Tonga ‘A’ to start the second round of the Americas Pacific Challenge in Montevideo on Wednesday. Tongan discipline was also to blame as they spent a quarter of the match with only 14 players after receiving two yellow cards.

A poor exit from the opening kickoff gave Samoa the platform to strike first. After several phases Afa Aiono’s offload nearly put Potu Leavasa over, and Ikifusi Matamu was there to pick and drive past the line. D’Angelo Leuila’s conversion gave the Samoans a perfect start.

Tonga responded first with a penalty goal via Saia Fililava and then a try from their captain Solomone Kioa. The big hooker smashed his way through two tacklers to reach the line. Leuila fired back with two penalty goals to restore Samoa’s lead and then Anthony Aholelei was binned for a head-high shot.

The Samoans would take full advantage but not until the first minute of the second half when Leuila stepped through a gap and two passes later Vaili was in for his first. With Aholelei still off the pitch Tevita Hafoka reached over from close range to grab a sneaky try for Tonga.

A second yellow was brandished soon after, this time to Fililava for a similar offense to Aholelei. Once again the numerical disadvantage cost them dearly, and again it was Vaili on the end. This time the winger had some finishing to do, bouncing off three and fending a fourth to slide into the left corner.

Samoa will face off with hosts Uruguay on Sunday in a potential title decider. Tonga will look to close their tournament on a high as they take on Canada to open the day.

 

SCORING

TONGA 15
Tries – S. Kioa (28′), T. Hafoka (48′)
Cons – S. Fililava 1/2 (49′)
Pens – S. Fililava 1/2 (23′)
Yellow cards – A. Aholelei (36′), S. Fililava (52′)

SAMOA 23
Tries – I. Matamu (1′), J. Vaili 2 (41′, 54′)
Cons – D. Leuila 1/2 (2′), P. Fa’apale 0/1
Pens – D. Leuila 2/2 (31′, 34′)

 

TEAMS

TONGA ‘A’
1 George Tu’ineau, 2 Solomone Kioa (capt.), 3 Anthony Aholelei, 4 Tupou Ahome’e, 5 Asaeli Lehauli, 6 Tevita Hafoka, 7 Takao Cocker, 8 Kuli Tonga, 9 Sione Ika, 10 Saia Fililava, 11 Manase Folau, 12 To’osavili Havea, 13 Sione Lave, 14 Petelesio Sili, 15 Alefosio Vahe

Replacements: 16 Maliu Ma’asi, 17 Paea Fono’ifua, 18 Sosaia Masima, 19 Haloti Tupou, 20 Taniela Atiola, 21 Bruce Ikamanu, 22 Sione Ta’ai, 23 Paki Afu

SAMOA ‘A’
1 Setu Enoka, 2 Afa Aiono (capt.), 3 Rodney Tapu, 4 Mikaele Tapili, 5 Ikifusi Matamu, 6 Bruce Kaino, 7 Jacob Mapu, 8 Potu Leavasa Jr., 9 Ionatana Tino, 10 Patrick Fa’apale, 11 Johnny Vaili, 12 D’Angelo Leuila, 13 Alefosio Tapili, 14 Johnny Samuelu, 15 Bradford Lemalufaitoaga

Replacements: 16 Leo Brown, 17 Brook To’omalatai, 18 Tuaniu Tuaniu, 19 Elia Togitele, 20 Fagu Malloy, 21 Danny Tusitala, 22 Ivan Safua, 23 Paulo Scanlan

 

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Pali Deluca (UAR)
Assistants: Derek Summers (USAR) & Gonzalo Ventoso (URU)