Samoa and Papua New Guinea played a very physical game of rugby where the discrepancy in the final score did not really do justice to the great battle of strength that the game exemplified.

Samoa 33 PNG 5

FORU U19 Tournament – Day 3
Prince Charles Park, Nadi
Half-time: 26-5
Referee: Mathieu D (New Caledonia)
Att: 300

SAMOA: 15 Naivalu Valavala (Semi Elama 42), 14 Leuma Tuiloli, 13 Kaino Thompson, 12 Iafete, Laau (Ben Leia 52), 11 Iosefo Taovsoa, 10 Ivy Leleisiuao, 9 Evropa Kvropa (Karl Malielegaoi 52) , 8 Sopoiafa Tikeri, 7 Falemiga Selesele, 6 Stephen Savali, 5 Ray Pese, 4 Tauloa Vailele (Roma Levluaialii 61), 3 Viliamu Afatia (Pao Muaau 50), 2 Aomavaega Malo (Daniel Asalemo 55), 1 George Iona (Davina Filifili 20).
Tries: Tuiloli(2), Tikeri, Afatia, Pese; Conversions: Leleisiuao (2), Valavala, Elama

PNG: 15 Christopher Kakah (Nigel Reu), (c) 14 Robert Roakeina, 13 Jackfson Pato, 12 Rapael Saea, 11 Kirarock Ngaffin, 10 Leslie Mogua (Ikupu Tamarua 20), 9 Eugene Tovue, 8 Joshua Posu (Cameron Wai 53), 7 Christopher Nemani, 6 Desmond Korpok (Hanley Messea 30), 5 Alex Ikupu, 4 Rex Kurup (Edgar Mongoru 57), 3 Michael Sanginumbuk (Junior Kautu 61), 2 Boe Vaieke, 1 Fairi Fairi (Solo Moka 46)
Try: Posu

Scoring Sequence (Samoa’s scores shown first):
15min – TRY SAMOA, Tikeri, conversion Valavala – 7-0
22min – TRY SAMOA, Afatia, conversion Leleisiuao – 14-0
25min – TRY PNG, Posu, conversion Tamarua (missed) – 14-5
28min – TRY SAMOA, Tuiloli, conversion Leleisiuao – 21-5
36min – TRY SAMOA, Tuiloli, conversion Leleisiuao (missed) – 26-5
Half-time
56min – TRY SAMOA, Pese, conversion Elama – 33-5
Full-time

Quotes:
Alani Ulia (Samoa coach):
“It was a good game. I am pleased with the boys’ performance and I thank them for that. On the same token I would also like to thank the Papua New Guinea for a great physical game.”

Robin Tarere (PNG coach):
“I thought the game against Samoa was great, in the sense that it was a good wake up call for us before the grand final. I thought we needed that to help us identify the weak areas in our defensive and attacking play and hopefully iron up those areas.”

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