2016 Samoa vs. Fiji rugby league test match

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2016 (2016) Samoa vs. Fiji rugby league test match  ()
Samoa
 Fiji
18 20
12 Total
SAM Canterbury colours.svg 180 18
FIJ Fijibaticolours.PNG 164 20
Date8 October 2016
StadiumApia Park
LocationApia, Samoa
Referees Gerard Sutton
Broadcast partners
Broadcasters
  • TV1 SAMOA

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

Background[]

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]

Squads[]

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
Wests Tigers colours.svg David Nofoaluma Fullback Sitiveni Moceidreke North Sydney colours.svg
New Zealand colours.svg Ken Maumalo Wing Tyrone Phillips Canterbury colours.svg
Manly Sea Eagles colours.svg Matthew Wright Centre Kevin Naiqama (c) Wests Tigers colours.svg
St. George colours.svg Tim Lafai Centre Brayden Williame Manly Sea Eagles colours.svg
Castleford colours.svg Denny Solomona Wing Marcello Montoya Canterbury colours.svg
Manly Sea Eagles colours.svg Pita Godinet Five-Eighth Henry Raiwalui Hullcolours.svg
New Zealand colours.svg Mason Lino Halfback Maurice Kennedy Wellington colours.svg
Canterbury colours.svg Sam Kasiano Prop Kane Evans Eastern Suburbs colours.svg
Parramatta colours.svg Kaysa Pritchard Hooker Apisai Koroisau Manly Sea Eagles colours.svg
Canberra colours.svg Junior Paulo Prop Junior Roqica Cronulla colours.svg
St. George colours.svg Leeson Ah Mau (c) 2nd Row Viliame Kikau Penrith Panthers square flag icon with 2017 colours.svg
Canterbury colours.svg Raymond Faitala-Mariner 2nd Row Eloni Vunakece Eastern Suburbs colours.svg
Wests Tigers colours.svg Sauaso Sue Lock Korbin Sims Newcastle colours.svg
New Zealand colours.svg Erin Clark Interchange James Storer Western Suburbs colours.svg
New Zealand colours.svg Sam Lisone Interchange Tui Kamikamica Melbourne colours.svg
New Zealand colours.svg Bunty Afoa Interchange Ben Nakubuwai Melbourne colours.svg
New Zealand colours.svg James Gavet Interchange Pio Seci Fijibaticolours.PNG
Australian colours.svg Matt Parish Coach Mick Potter Australian colours.svg

Match summary[]

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.[3] 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[]

References[]

  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. ^ Kennedy, Chris (8 October 2016). "Brilliant Bati comeback steals Pacific Test win". NRL.com. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
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