It’s a draw in war of Polynesia

Manu Samoa and Ikale Tahi had to settle for an 18 all draw yesterday during their Pacific Nations Cup clash at Apia Park.

The result was not the best way for the Manu Samoa to end a week of celebrations in Apia but it wasn't the worst either. Tonga played so well they were unlucky not to have scored a very famous victory at the home of Manu Samoa.

Coach Stephen Betham and his team though would be kicking themselves for letting victory slip from their grasp.

Seconds away from full time, Manu Samoa held a narrow, 18-15 lead. But then disaster struck.

With Tonga hot on attack and with Samoa down to 14-men, replacement lock, Daniel Leo, was penalised by referee, Wayne Barnes, for taking out a Tongan player during the line out.

The penalty gave Fangatapu Apikotoa the opportunity to level the score.

He did not miss. Although Samoa tried valiantly during the dying seconds, they were bundled out centimetres from Tonga’s tryline and that was the game.

“Obviously we’re disappointed not to have won especially in front of our people,” Captain David Lemi said. “But full credit to Tonga, they played well and it was a tough game. It could’ve gone either way.”

Lemi said there were a number of things that they could’ve done better and that’s what they would work on this week, ahead of their next assignment against Italy on Saturday.

“We’ll learn from this,” he said. “Meanwhile, I take my hat off to our boys, it was a hard game and there are certain things we’ve already identified that we need to work on. We'll go back to the drawing board and take it from there.”

Lemi’s Tongan counterpart, Nili Latu said they felt they had the edge over Samoa.

“We wanted to win to be honest,” he said. “But at the end of the day, look at the records, we’ve been here so many times and have never won against Samoa."

“So we’re happy with the draw.”

Like Lemi, Latu said there are lots of areas to work on. “Most of the boys are professionals and we wanted to raise the level of our game. For us, we could’ve won the game."could also have gone the other way so we are really happy with the boys today. This is just the start.”

Tonga dominated the early exchanges and also had the first opportunity to put points on the board through a penalty conversion. Latiume Fosita missed.

Five minutes into the game, Manu Samoa had a good attacking opportunity only for Fautua Otto to drop the ball centimetres from the try line. A penalty opportunity for Tusi Pisi was not converted.

Twenty five minutes into the game, Tonga found a gap down the right side of the field, sending wing, Otulea Katoa to corner for the first points of the game. The conversion was successful and Tonga had an early 7-0 lead.

Samoa needed to reply and they did through Otto who perhaps felt he had to make up for the earlier dropped ball. Fullback Fa’atoina Autagavaia collected a clearance kick from Tonga that failed to find touch. He fired the ball to David Lemi who immediately found Otto.

Tonga dominated the early exchanges and also had the first opportunity to put points on the board through a penalty conversion. Latiume Fosita missed.

Five minutes into the game, Manu Samoa had a good attacking opportunity only for Fautua Otto to drop the ball centimetres from the try line. A penalty opportunity for Tusi Pisi was not converted.

Twenty five minutes into the game, Tonga found a gap down the right side of the field, sending wing, Otulea Katoa to corner for the first points of the game. The conversion was successful and Tonga had an early 7-0 lead.

Samoa needed to reply and they did through Otto who perhaps felt he had to make up for the earlier dropped ball. Fullback Fa’atoina Autagavaia collected a clearance kick from Tonga that failed to find touch. He fired the ball to David Lemi who immediately found Otto.

“Tonga also came here to compete and that’s exactly we saw. The good thing is that we have two games to go and next week will be another tough one."

“But this match between Tonga and Samoa will build up the team.”

The coaching staff will have a few nervous days ahead with some key players injured yesterday. Flanker Faifili Levave had to be assisted from the field after suffering what appeared to be quite a serious leg injury.

Utility forward Kane Thompson also had to leave the field after he received a heavy knock while fielding a high kick from Tonga. The game yesterday was played before a sold out Apia Park crowd.

Namulauulu acknowledged the support of everyone saying, “To everyone from the Head of State; Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese , Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Dr. Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament and leaders of government bodies, all the supporters especially to all of our sponsors thank you very much for your support.a' “We have another game to prepare for next week and we’ll need to learn quick and move on.”

SAMOA: Tries: Fautua Otto and David Lemi, Conversions and kicks, Tusi Pisi TONGA: Tries: Otulea Katoa and Joshua Afu, Conversions and kicks, Latiume Fosita and Fangatapu Apikatoa

MANU SAMOA

1-15: Sakaria Taulafo, Wayne Ole Avei, Logovi’i Mulipola, Kane Thompson, Teofilo Paulo, Faifili Levave, Jack Lam, Taiasina Tuifua, Jeremy Su’a, Tusiata Pisi, David Lemi, Johnny Leota, Alapati Leiua, Fautua Otto, Fa’atoina Autagavaia RESERVES Ti’i Paulo, Anthony Perenise, Cencus Johnston, Daniel Leo, Ofisa Treviranus, Kahn Fotuali’i, George Pisi, Anitele’a Tuilagi IKALE TAHI

1-15: Tevita Mailau, Suliasi Taufalele, Sila Puafisi, Joshua Afu, Lisiate Fa’aoso, Pasuka Mapakaitolo, Nili Latu (c), Viliami Ma’afu, Samisoni Fisilau, Latiume Fosita, Alaska Taufa, Fraser Anderson, Siale Piutau, Otulea Katoa, David Halaifonua RESERVES: Paula Ngauamo, Kamaliele Sakalia, Edmund Aholelei, Daniel Faleafa, Viliami Fihaki, Sonatane Takulua, Fangatapu ‘Apikotoa and Fetu’u Vainikolo.

Referee: Wayne Barnes - With reporting from Lanuola Tusani and Ilia Likou