TEST MATCH RUGBY: Pacific Nations Cup Day 1

05.06.2012
Tonga v Samoa in Nagoya (Pacific Nations Cup)

Venue: Mizuho Park Rugby Field, Aichi Mizuho

Referee:

Preview
Both Tonga and Samoa come into this competition with enormous reputations.

Tonga caused one of THE major upsets of World Cup rugby history when they defeated France in the final Pool A game last year.

Samoa caused another major upset last year. They defeated Australia in Sydney in July.

Samoa has axed a number of their top players following the World Cup. A new coach has cleaned the cupboard out and it is a very inexperienced side that strides onto the paddock in Nagoya today.

Tonga has kept very much with their World Cup squad and for that reason they will have the advantage of experience.

I will expect both sides to be a bit rusty neither having placed their national side on the field since the World Cup. Tonga’s experience will tell in the end.

Tournament Preview
http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3893_7794674,00.html

Last Five Encounters
13.07.2011 Tonga 29-19 in Lautoka (Pacific Nations Cup)
12.06.2010 Samoa 24-23 in Apia (Pacific Nations Cup)
23.06.2009 Samoa 27-13 in Lautoka (Pacific Nations Cup)
26.06.2008 Samoa 20-15 in Nuku’alofa (Pacific Nations Cup)
16.09.2007 Tonga 19-15 in Montpellier (World Cup, Pool A)

Tonga Last Five
01.10.2011 v France W 19-14 in Wellington (World Cup, Pool A)
21.09.2011 v Japan W 31-18 in Whangarei (World Cup, Pool A)
14.09.2011 v Canada L 20-25 in Whangarei (World Cup, Pool A)
09.09.2011 v New Zealand L 10-41 in Auckland (World Cup, Pool A)
19.08.2011 v Fiji W 32-20 in Lautoka (World Cup Warm-up)

Samoa Last Five
30.09.2011 v South Africa L 5-13 in Albany (World Cup, Pool D)
25.09.2011 v Fiji W 27-7 in Auckland (World Cup, Pool D)
18.09.2011 v Wales L 10-17 in Hamilton (World Cup, Pool D)
14.09.2011 v Namibia W 49-12 in Rotorua (World Cup, Pool D)
17.07.2011 v Australia W 32-23 in Sydney

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table-Tonga 11th, Samoa 12th
Oceania Table-Tonga 3rd, Samoa 4th

IRB Ranking Points
Tonga 76.63, Samoa 75.81

Prediction: Tonga by 7 points

Teams

SAMOA

15		Fa’atoina Autagavaia	Marist Samoa
14		Kenneth Pisi	North Harbour, New Zealand
13		Alvin Tavana	Suburbs RFC, Ak, New Zealand
12		Ki Anufe	Marist RFC, Ak, New Zealand
11		David Lemi (Capt.)	Glasgow Warriors, Scotland
10		Lolo Lui	Moata'a
9		Galuefa Falamoe
8		Benjamin Masoe	Papatoetoe RFC, Ak, New Zealand
7		Afa Aiono	Leulumoega
6		Daniel Chricton
5		Maselino Paulino	Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
4		Fa’atiga Lemalu	Papatoetoe RFC, Ak, New Zealand
3		Logovii Mulipola	Leicester Tigers, England
2		Steven Pelesiusi Fualau	Canterbury, New Zealand
1		Sakaria Taulafo	Wasps, England
16		Wayne Ole Avei	Bordeaux, France
17		Viliamu Afatia
18		Misioka Timoteo	Vaiala
19		Alafoti Faosiliva	Toulon, France
20		Jeremy Sua	Tasman, New Zealand
21		Paul Perez	Vaigaga
22		Patrick Fa’apale	Vaiala
		HEAD COACH: Stephan Betham

TONGA

15		Viliami Iongi	Llanelly Scarlets, Wales
14		Damien Fakafanua	Parramatta RFC, Sydney, Australia
13		Mafileo Kefu	Dax, France
12		Alipate Fatafehi	Lyon, France
11		Alaska Taufa	Akita, Japan
10		Kurt Morath	Kubota, Japan
9		Taniela Moa (Capt.)	Pau, France
8		Paula Kaho	Canberra Vikings RFC, Australia
7		Sione Vaiomounga	Toloa Old Boys
6		Steven Mafi	Leicester Tigers, England
5		Joshua Afu	Carcarsson, France
4		Joseph Tuineau	Montpellier, France
3		Kisi Pulu	Perpignan, France
2		Ilaisa Maasi	Counties Manukau, New Zealand
1		Viliami Pola	South Canterbury, New Zealand
16		Tevita Mailau	Auckland, New Zealand
17		Sila Puafisi	Counties Manukau, New Zealand
18		Osaiasi Pepa Kolomatangi	Counties Manukau, New Zealand
19		Vili Fainga’a	Univ. Queensland RFC, Australia
20		Thomas Palu	Municipal Timisovava, Romania
21		Siale Piutau	Otago Highlanders, New Zealand
22		Sefa Vaka	Toyota Shokki, Japan
		HEAD COACH: Toutai Kefu (Interim)