Samoa A

Tonga A had opened the scoring with winger Fetuli Paea's third-minute try, before Samoa A edged ahead when D'Angelo Leiulia converted Ricky Ene's try 10 minutes later. The Tongans responded quickly with another try by their other winger Tuhakavalu Ika to lead 10-7 after 17 minutes but that would be the last points they would score.

Winger Fa'asauvale Lucky and captain Henry Stowers both crossed to give Samoa A a 19-10 lead at half-time and they grabbed control of the match with two tries in six second-half minutes through Ene and hooker Gafa Sua.

The two teams met on Friday in the opening round of the World Rugby Pacific Challenge in Suva.

Down 21-9 at half time, Samoa A fought back to 21-21 with two second half tries to halfback Melani Matavao and Joe Sililoto.

But with three minutes remaining Fiji scored two quick tries to Turagavola Veramu Dikidikilati and the captain Mosese Voka.

These followed three first half tries by Warriors to Inia Turagacoko Tamanikaitaroi Tawalo, Waisale Sova Urabuta and Apisalome Vota.

After the match, Stowers took the blame.

The five try to two victory was built around a strong first half from the Warriors who built a 21-9 lead at the break.

The Samoans fought back through tries to prop Howard Sililoto and halfback Melani Matavao but Fiji's captain Mosese Voka sealed the victory with a late score.

In Friday's early game Junior Japan were too strong for Tonga A, winning 45-28, thanks in large to a hat trick of tries from number 8 Tevita Tatafu.

Samoa A take on the hosts Fiji Warriors with their coach Brian Lima expecting a Fiji side which relishes ball-in-hand and running play.

Brian Lima said he had formulated a plan to combat such open play.

The Warriors coach Senirusi Seruvakula said he expected the Samoans to bring a more physical approach to the game.

The Tongans went into the opening match of the day with an outside chance of lifting the Americas Pacific Challenge trophy but later victories for the USA Selects and Argentina XV meant they had to settle for third place overall.

They started impressively and had the first points on the board when Jaime Faiva took the ball at pace and powered over for a try which half-back partner, Samiu Muna, converted for a 7-0 lead.

Samoa A were quickly back on level terms though when Melani Matavao was able to capitalise on Paulo Scanlan’s hack downfield.

With half an hour of the first half gone it was still extremely tight between the sides, Fiji leading 10-6 thanks to unconverted tries from full-back Raiyala and hooker Samuela Suguturaga with Patrick Faapale kicking two penalties in reply for Samoa A, the second coming while the home side were down to 14 men following John Stewart’s sin-binning.

The Warriors kicked a penalty shortly before Stewart returned to the field of play and then added a converted try, through scrum-half Serupepeli, on his return as the home side established a two-score lead at the break.

Tonga's dominance in the line-out contributed to their win.

Fiji Times reports Tonga A led 18-7 against Samoa A at half-time.

The opening try by Samoa came from Danny Tusitala which was converted by captain Patrick Faapale. Tonga started off with a penalty from James Faiva and a try from Feofaaki Kaumavae which was unconverted. Minutes later Faiva slotted a penalty to put Tonga ahead 11-7 before a converted try to Topui Sekona for 18-7.

The Samoans were stunned 34-31 by Junior Japan in the tournament opener on Friday.

Head coach Potu Leavasa said they only had one week to prepare their squad because they had been focusing on the Brisbane Global Tens.

He said new trial laws around the scrum, where the 'set' call has been removed, the halfback no longer required a signal to throw in the ball and one player from the team who put the ball in must strike for the ball, were not communicated to them until the day before their first match.

Tatafu scored two tries for the Junior Japan in the first-half which were converted by nippy halfback Naoto Mano, who kicked two penalties that took their scores to 20 points.

Despite being deprived of possession for most of the first-half, Samoa A scored an unconverted try through lanky lock Talaga Alofipo.

Fiji Times reports Samoa A skipper and fly-half, Patrick Faapale kicked three penalties as Japan led 20-14 at half-time.

The competition involves Fiji Warriors, Samoa A, Tonga A and Junior Japan.

The key investment tournament will feature closed law trials around the scrum and ruck areas.

It follows the implementation of World Rugby's global law trials which began on 1 January, 2017 in the southern hemisphere and will do so in the north on 1st August.

Fiji Village reports these trials focused on front‑row replacements, advantage, touch, penalty tries and time‑keeping.