Ill-disciplined Fiji hold off Samoa charge

PACIFIC NATIONS CUP MATCH REPORT: An unruly Fiji survived three yellow cards and a strong Samoa fightback to win their opening Pacific Nations Cup match 24-22.

Fiji led 17-3 at half-time, despite having centre Jale Vatubua and captain Akapusi Qera sinbinned, and stretched the lead to 24-3 while prop Eroni Mawi received a yellow card early in the second spell.

Kini Murimurivalu, Ben Volavola, Henry Seniloli and Vereniki Goneva scored tries for the defending champions, with Volavola adding two conversions.

With 20 minutes remaining Samoa started to overcome their high error count and began to pressure Fiji.

A roasting hot step from @fijirugby fly-half Ben Volavola in the World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup 👌 pic.twitter.com/NWtKl9AUyg

— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) June 9, 2018

Scrumhalf Melani Matavao, flank Jack Lam and replacement scrumhalf Dwayne Polataivaia all scored in the closing quarter but one missed conversion denied them a draw.

The scorers:

For Fiji:

Tries: Vereniki Goneva, Kini Murimurivalu, Henry Seniloli, Ben Volavola.
Cons: Volavola 2

For Samoa:

Tries: Jack Lam, Dwayne Polataivaia, Melani Matavao.
Cons: Tusi Pisi, AhseeTuala.
Pen: Pisi

Agence France-Presse