KEY POINTS:
Samoa drew first blood in the Pacific Cup rugby competition when they beat Fiji 8-3 in Apia, Samoa, yesterday.
Only one try, by Samoan openside flanker Alapasa Cordtz, was scored on the muddy Apia Park as both teams abandoned their island-style running rugby in favour of a tight forward slugfest.
Samoa's other three points came from a penalty kick by Gavin Williams, and Fiji fullback Taniela Rawaqa kicked his team's only points from an early penalty.
Both teams lost the ball frequently in the difficult conditions, but Samoa's experience produced an edge which enabled them to penetrate the stubborn Fijian defence and score the winning try.
Both teams had assembled players from overseas clubs, so the experience factor became critical.
New Zealand-based players such as Mahonri Schwalger, Kane Thompson, Filipo Levi and Semo Setiti (now playing in Japan) made the difference in the forward exchanges.
The Fijians will be reinforced this week by the arrival of Leicester Tigers' Seru Rabeni, a former Highlanders midfield back, Cardiff Blues' Mosese Luveitasau and Saracens duo Mosese Rauluni and Simon Raiwalui.
Fijian captain Alifereti Doviverata was sinbinned for pulling a maul down, but despite being a man down in the pack, the Fijians held up the bulldozing Samoans.
Tonga, Japan, Australia A and the Junior All Blacks are the other teams in the competition.
- NZPA
