2016 Samoa vs. Fiji rugby league test match

The 2016 Samoa vs. Fiji rugby league test match was played between Samoa and Fiji at Apia Park.

2016 (2016) Samoa vs. Fiji rugby league test match  ()
12 Total
SAM 180 18
FIJ 164 20
Date8 October 2016
StadiumApia Park
LocationApia, Samoa
Referee Gerard Sutton
Broadcast partners
Broadcasters

Background

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On 7 May 2016, it was confirmed that Apia would host a test-match between Samoa and Fiji on 8 October 2016, marking the 30th anniversary of rugby league in Samoa.[1] John Grant, the Chief Executive of the Australian Rugby League Commission, shared his support for the test by confirming that an Australian registered referee would be provided along with senior staff and management to help with the organisation of the match.[2]

A couple of hours before the Pacific test-matches began, discussions were made and confirmed between the RLIF Deputy Chairman, John Grant, alongside Rugby League Samoa Chairman/Asia-Pacific Rugby League Confederation Chairman, Tagaloa Faafouina Su'a, and the Fiji Rugby League Chairman, Filimoni Vosarogo, that Samoa's city of Apia will host a test-match between Samoa and Fiji on October 8, 2016. This test-match will mark 30 years of Rugby league in Samoa.[3][4]

Squads

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Samoa picked 6 débutantes for the test match, while Fiji selected four. All of the Samoan team had players based in the NRL except for Denny Solomona, who plays for Super League club Castleford Tigers. Fiji on the other hand had a fair share of National Rugby League, and New South Wales Cup players along with one domestic player, Pio Seci. Samoa's most capped player was Leeson Ah Mau, who made his 11th appearance for his country, while Fiji's most experienced player was James Storer, who also made his 11th appearance for his country.

St. George Illawarra's Leeson Ah Mau captained Samoa, and Wests Tigers' Kevin Naiqama led Fiji.

Samoa Position Fiji
  David Nofoaluma Fullback Sitiveni Moceidreke  
  Ken Maumalo Wing Tyrone Phillips  
  Matthew Wright Centre Kevin Naiqama (c)  
  Tim Lafai Centre Brayden Williame  
  Denny Solomona Wing Marcello Montoya  
  Pita Godinet Five-Eighth Henry Raiwalui  
  Mason Lino Halfback Maurice Kennedy  
  Sam Kasiano Prop Kane Evans  
  Kaysa Pritchard Hooker Apisai Koroisau  
  Junior Paulo Prop Junior Roqica  
  Leeson Ah Mau (c) 2nd Row Viliame Kikau  
  Raymond Faitala-Mariner 2nd Row Eloni Vunakece  
  Sauaso Sue Lock Korbin Sims  
  Erin Clark Interchange James Storer  
  Sam Lisone Interchange Tui Kamikamica  
  Bunty Afoa Interchange Ben Nakubuwai  
  James Gavet Interchange Pio Seci  
  Matt Parish Coach Mick Potter  

Match summary

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8 October 2016
4:40pm (UTC+13)
Samoa   18 – 20   Fiji
Tries:
Maumalo (16', 20') 2
Kasiano (4') 1
Goals: Wright 3/3 (5', 18', 21')
Report
Tries:
1 (24') Montoya
1 (30') Storer
1 (38') Williame
1 (60') Phillips
Goals: Moceidreke 2/4 (32', 40')

Fiji won the match after trailing 18-0 at the 20 minute mark.[5] Samoa were dominating proceedings in the opening quarter as they controlled most of the possession and territory but Fiji hit back in the back-end of the game with Samoa's errors ruining the home team's chances.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Samoa to host Fiji in historic Test". NRL.com. 7 May 2016. Archived from the original on 8 May 2016. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  2. ^ Walter, Brad (7 May 2016). "ARLC chairman John Grant expects NRL clubs to support historic Test in Samoa". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  3. ^ "Samoa to host Fiji in historic Test". nrl.com. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  4. ^ "ARLC chairman John Grant expects NRL clubs to support historic Test in Samoa". smh.com.au. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  5. ^ Kennedy, Chris (8 October 2016). "Brilliant Bati comeback steals Pacific Test win". NRL.com. Retrieved 9 October 2016.