It was a dream come true for veteran winger and Samoan captain David Lemi when they beat the Vodafone Flying Fijians 18-13 on Saturday at the ANZ Stadium in Suva.
The 32-year-old who first represented his country recorded his first win over Fiji in Suva.
Fly half Tusi Pisi scored all of Samoa’s points via penalties while Nemani Nadolo and Napolioni Nalaga scored for Fiji and Nadolo kicked a conversion.
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“Samoa has won over Fiji a couple of times in the past years but has not in Suva since 1998.”
“It was my dream to beat them in Suva one day and it came true today.
We knew it was not going to be easy but finally we have done it,” he said.
Fiji captain Akapusi Qera said they were unfortunate to lose in front of their home fans.
“Indiscipline let us down and we just could make things happen,” he said.
Fiji coach John McKee said Samoa had a good scrum and Fiji lost too many balls at the line-outs which allowed Samoa to contain Fiji’s fast running game.
“We didn’t have ability to break out and we should have moved the ball out wide and have a go at them but didn’t,” he said.
“The reason we lost today is because we didn’t lift out tempo and we played too much into the close passages which suited them (Samoans) and we didn’t play smart enough on the day and we didn’t play to our strengths.”
Pisi said he was not under any pressure to kick all of Samoa’s points.
It was just easy, it’s his role and his job.
“I think our forwards played well, set a good platform and put the Fijian forwards under pressure.”
Samoan coach Stephen Betham said Fiji played well and gave Samoa a tough time.
“We knew it was going to be physical it was for the whole 80 minutes and we expected the Fijians to come out hard in the second half and they did, credit to them, they showed a lot of tenacity to keep at us,” he said.
“We expected no less from the Fijians but a win is a win.”
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