Savai’i Samoa have experienced mixed fortunes since winning the inaugural IRB Pacific Rugby Cup back in 2006.
The Samoan outfit, bristling with seasoned talent and young guns, were unlucky to miss out on a Grand Final spot last year, finishing third in the standings.
And already the Samoans face an uphill battle to claim the prize again this year after slipping to an agonising 15-14 defeat to Tonga’s Tau’uta Reds at Apia Park in front of 3,000 expectant fans.
In a tale of two halves, Savai’i got off to the best possible start, scoring their opening try through flanker Simaika Mikaele after just two minutes to give the home side a 5-0 lead.
The opening 20 minutes were edgy with both sides probing and testing the opposition, but after the first try, the game failed to produce another score until the 23rd minute when Mesui Lemoto kicked a penalty to bring Tau’uta Reds back into contention.
It was a kick that changed the balance of the game as the visitors clawed their way back with Lemoto adding a second penalty shortly after to edge his side into a one point lead.
The bumper crowd, silenced by the exploits of the Tongan visitors, began to get behind their team and Lolo Lui kicked penalties in quick succession to give the home side a 11-6 lead at the interval.
Lemoto pulled Tau’uta Reds back to two points in arrears with a third penalty after 46 minutes and with replacements making their introduction, the pattern of the game broke briefly.
The tactical changes worked in the visitor's favour as Lemoto edged his side into the lead with another penalty kick on the hour mark.
The final 20 minutes were fraught as both sides looked to make the game safe. Lui looked to have won the match for Savai’i with a penalty with nine minutes of the match remaining. However, Lemoto came to his side’s rescue and kicked the winning points three minutes later.
SAVAI'I SAMOA: 1. Poutoa Iosi 2. Andrew Williams 3. Egelagi Fale 4. Luti Pese 5. Keneti Tofilau 6. Simaika Mikaele (Captain) 7. Levi Asifa'amatala 8. Alafoti Faosiliva 9. Alatasi Tupou 10. Lolo Lui 11. Meki Magele 12. Reupena Levasa 13. Michael Tavae 14. Etuale Pitone 15. Lolesio Karl Siemsen.
Replacements: 16. Kini Ai'i 17. Mulifusi Ulima 18. Nissan Aitui 19. Kirisimasi Fale 20. Tofaga Iese 21. Tupu Ulufale 22. Petelo Kose Tuimavave.
Try: Simaika Mikaele
Penalties: Lolo Lui (3)
TAU'UTA REDS: 1. Otulea Fieta 2. Sione Poteki 3. Siosateki Mata'u,4. Sione Timane 5. Tesi Fine 6. Sione Masima 7. Patelesio Ve'a 8. Matini Tupou 9. Enele Taufa 10. Lata I Muli Anitoni 11. Petelo Tupou 12. Lisati Kuli 13. Viliami Takai 14. Sosefa Tuakoi 15. Mesui Lemoto.
Replacements: 16. Etilei Fevaleaki 17. Tone Tukufuka 18. Samisone Masima, 19 Afele Tongia, 20 Kaufusi Moata'ane, 21 Fokolulu Taumalolo, 22 Fou Ki Moana Katoa
Penalties: Mesui Lemoto (5)
