Pacific Nations Cup
Kitione Salawa stars as Fiji crush Samoa in Pacific Nations Cup opener
The Fiji Water Flying Fijians launched their Pacific Nations Cup campaign with a resounding 42-16 victory over Samoa at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva on Friday. Flanker Kitione Salawa emerged as the hero of the night, scoring a hat-trick of tries in a match that saw Fiji overcome a halftime deficit to dominate the second half.
Fiji off to a flier in the #PacificNationsCup ✈️#FIJvSAM | @fijirugby pic.twitter.com/NeGt6u7gFC
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) August 23, 2024
The contest began with Fiji asserting early control, as Salawa crossed for the opening try just three minutes in, capitalizing on a Samoan error from the kick-off. However, Samoa quickly found their footing, with D’Angelo Leuila adding a penalty before Melani Matavao stunned the home crowd. The Samoan scrum-half charged through the middle, brushing aside Fiji’s hooker and prop before offloading spectacularly to Pisi Leilua for a try, giving Samoa a 10-5 lead.
Samoa continued to impress in the first half, extending their lead to 13-5 through another Leuila penalty. Fiji’s response came through centre Iosefo Masi, fresh from his Olympic silver medal success. Masi broke the Samoan defence from 40 meters out and eventually finished the move, receiving a pass from scrum-half Frank Lomani to score Fiji’s second try, narrowing the gap to 13-12.
The first half’s drama continued with Fiji lock Temo Mayanavanua sent to the sin bin, allowing Samoa to extend their lead to 16-12. A late penalty from Caleb Muntz ensured Fiji entered halftime trailing by just a single point, 16-15.
The turning point came early in the second half when Samoan fly-half D’Angelo Leuila kicked the restart out on the full. This error seemed to deflate Samoa and energize Fiji. Caleb Muntz quickly put Fiji ahead 18-16 with a penalty, before Salawa scored his second try, finishing off a powerful rolling maul.
The match took another decisive turn in the 54th minute when Fijian blindside Meli Derenalagi made an electrifying 40m burst. Samoan winger Pisi Leilua was sin-binned for pulling back Frank Lomani, who was in support. Fiji capitalized immediately, with Salawa powering over from the resulting lineout to extend the lead to 25-16.
From there, Fiji found their groove. A clever kick from debutant Epeli Momo set up Lomani for Fiji’s fourth try. Samoa’s discipline continued to falter, with Tuna Tuitama also receiving a yellow card for a tip tackle. Debutant fullback Vuate Karawalevu capped off a dream first appearance with a try in the corner after a superb pass in traffic by fellow youngster Isiah Ravula-Armstrong. Salawa then completed his hat-trick after the final hooter, sealing Fiji’s dominant 42-16 victory.
Frank Lomani was named man of the match, showcasing his importance with 19 first-half tackles and sharp distribution throughout. Caleb Muntz also impressed, making 17 tackles and growing in confidence as the game progressed.
For Samoa, despite the defeat, there were some positives. Sam Slade topped the tackle count with a dozen, while Murphy Taramai was typically tireless in the back row. However, coach Mase Mahonri Schwalger will be concerned about his team’s discipline and their inability to maintain their first-half momentum.
The victory marks Fiji’s 17th win in their last 21 tests in Suva, extending their historical advantage over Samoa to 32-21 in all matches since 1924. It’s also Fiji’s biggest win against Samoa in two decades, serving as a perfect start to their quest for another Pacific Nations Cup title.
Head coach Mick Byrne will be particularly pleased with how his team responded to adversity, turning a halftime deficit into a commanding win. The performance of young talents like Salawa, Karawalevu, and Momo bodes well for Fiji’s future as they build towards the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Fiji will look to build on this momentum when they face Tonga in their next match, while Samoa will need to regroup quickly as they prepare to host Tonga in Apia next weekend.
Fiji showcased their dominance in the Pacific Nations Cup final on Saturday, overwhelming Japan with a second-half surge to secure a convincing 41-17 victory at Hanazono Rugby Stadium in Osaka. The win marks Fiji’s seventh title in the tournament’s history, further cementing their status as the most successful team in the competition.
What a performance 🔥@Fijirugby stay strong to claim the #PacificNationsCup#FIJvJPN pic.twitter.com/ZZI1vS5p0s
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) September 21, 2024
The match began as a tightly contested affair, with both sides locked at 10-10 at half-time. Japan’s Dylan Riley ignited the crowd with a spectacular solo try midway through the first half, demonstrating his skill with a well-executed chip and chase. The centre ran at the Fiji defence before chipping the ball forward and collecting it to touch down for a brilliant individual score.
Fiji responded shortly after the half-hour mark when Vuate Karawalevu capitalised on a charged-down kick to score a counter-attacking try. The winger showcased his blistering pace as he galloped forward from deep inside his own half, outrunning the Japanese defence to level the scores.
HIGASHIOSAKA, JAPAN – SEPTEMBER 21: Dylan Riley of Japan scores the team’s first try during the World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup Final between Fiji and Japan at Hanazono Rugby Stadium on September 21, 2024 in Higashiosaka, Osaka, Japan. (Photo by Toru Hanai – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)
The second half, however, told a different story as Fiji’s superior physicality and pace came to the fore. Olympic silver medallist Ponipate Loganimasi, making his debut for the national team, made an immediate impact off the bench. The flying winger scored two tries, his first coming just minutes after entering the fray in the 59th minute. Fiji quickly spread the ball wide to the right, sending Loganimasi into space where he used his speed to outpace the Japanese defenders.
HIGASHIOSAKA, JAPAN – SEPTEMBER 21: Samu Tawake of Fiji is tackled by Epineri Rev. Uluiviti of Japan during the World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup Final between Fiji and Japan at Hanazono Rugby Stadium on September 21, 2024 in Higashiosaka, Osaka, Japan. (Photo by Toru Hanai – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)
Karawalevu added a second try to his tally, further demonstrating Fiji’s lethal finishing ability. The try came from another quick spread of the ball, exploiting gaps in the tiring Japanese defence.
Albert Tuisue, another impactful substitute, crossed the line in the 68th minute to put the result beyond doubt. The powerful forward’s try exemplified Fiji’s dominance in the latter stages of the game, as they consistently broke through Japan’s defensive line.
Fiji’s head coach Mick Byrne praised his team’s patience and strategy, saying, “We just knew the first 20 minutes was going to be a real battle, and the speed that the Japanese side play with was going to be a challenge. We just had to stay in there early, and I thought we set ourselves up really well for the second half.”
The victory was particularly sweet for Fiji, as they managed to maintain their impressive defensive record. Prior to Japan’s late consolation try by Malo Tuitama in the 78th minute, Fiji had not conceded a single second-half point in any of their four games in this year’s tournament. Tuitama’s try, while too late to affect the outcome, provided a small measure of consolation for the home crowd.
For Japan and their returning head coach Eddie Jones, the defeat served as a sobering reminder of the work ahead. Jones, who took over the reins at the start of the year, acknowledged Fiji’s superiority, stating, “We’ve got no excuses. Fiji are very deserving champions.” He also noted the learning experience for his young squad, adding, “A couple of our young guys today struggled with the occasion, and unfortunately, the only way to learn about that is to have it happen. But I’m sure they’re going to be better for it.”
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