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Pacific Rugby Cup roundup

Sunday 04th May 2008

Upolu Samoa came from behind for the second week running to beat Fiji Warriors 13-8 and maintain their 100 per cent record in this year's IRB Pacific Rugby Cup.

The visiting Warriors looked like they might cause an upset by defeating the defending champions in Apia, and get their own PRC campaign back on track, when they lead 8-0 at half time. But, roared on by 3,000 supporters, Upolu Samoa staged a second-half comeback to all but end Warriors' hopes of qualifying for this year's final.

Warriors had enjoyed a 8-0 lead after 20 minutes of the first half. Full back Taniela Rawaga kicked an early penalty before flanker Rupeni Nasiga scored a try.

But after the break it was a different story as Timoteo Iosua grabbed two tries for the home team. The first arrived on 48 minutes to bring Uplou within three points. Full back Lolo Lui added a penalty midway through the half to make the score 8-8.

Iosua's second try came only two minutes before the end of the match and was converted by Lui to hand Upolu a dramatic victory and consign Warriors to another heart-breaking defeat.

Upolu play Savai'i Samoa in their next game, whilst Warriors face Tau'uta Reds.

Meanwhile, Pacific Fiji Barbarians staged a memorable second-half comeback against Tau'uta Reds to claim a 25-24 win to keep their title hopes alive.

For Tau'uta Reds, finalists in last year's competition, dreams of going one better are now over with their fourth consecutive defeat in this year's tournament.

After half an hour of the match, played at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka, a Barbarians win seemed fanciful. First prop Otules Fifita and then scrum half Enele Taufa scored tries for the Reds. With fly-half Vaea Poteki converting Fifita's try, the Reds had raced to a 12-0 lead.

Ropate Ratu did score a try for the Barbarians moments before half time, but before the referee blew up the home side were down to 14 men, when Isikeli Gavidi was yellow carded.

Barbarians' Amani Bosenawai closed the gap to 8-12 shortly after the interval with a penalty, but the Reds looked to have taken control of the game once more when captain Lotu Filipine touched down to extend his side's lead to 19-8.

The Reds were reduced to 14 after 62 minutes when Kelepi Halafihi was yellow carded and it proved to be a key moment in the game.

Barbarians' number 8 Ratu Josefa Nagatalevu touched down to reduce the deficit to six points. Bosenawai added the conversion and a penalty shortly afterwards to make the score 19-18 in favour of the Reds with 74 minutes on the clock.

Filipine must have thought that his try on 80 minutes had won it for the Reds. Crucially the conversion was missed. Deep into injury time replacement Apisalome Waqatabu scored a try to bring the Barbarians back to within a point of the Reds. Bosenawi held his nerve to kick the conversion and send the majority of the 1,000-strong crowd into delirium.

Fiji Barbarians travel to Tonga to face Tautahi Gold next week. Tau'uta Reds will look to salvage some pride against Fiji Warriors.

With thanks to the IRB>/i>