Samoa brush past Fiji

Samoa (W) v Fiji (W)

Samoa Women have opened their campaign with a 26-12 win over Fiji at Santos National Stadium in Port Moresby. 

Both teams came out ready to throw around the footy in the Port Moresby heat. There were chances early in the contest for Fiji but they were unable to convert on the intercept. 

It was Fiji who struck first from a scrum play. They swept the ball to the left and it was a simple finish for Vitalina Naikore who strolled over in the left corner for 4-0. 

Samoa hit back quickly from a Fiji error. It was a similar play to the Fijian first, as they just stripped the numbers on the right and Lindsay Tui was able to touch down. 

The game settled into an arm wrestle between the two sides. Samoa did pile up some possession and took their first lead. Taylor Mapusua finished off the move to make it 10-4 for Samoa. 

Samoa went for the power game for their third four-pointer. It was the veteran Annetta Nuuausala who spied some space close to the line and brushed off a few Fijian defenders to go over. 

They had to absorb some early pressure from Fiji to open the second half. Samoa got one chance and they converted with Tui picking up her second four-pointer from some quick hands. 

Fiji got one back from a delightful kick. Sereana Naitokatoka put in a crossfield kick which went right into the hands of Naikore who went over in the left corner to make it 20-8. 

They went back-to-back and set up a grandstand finish. It was a great short ball that saw Aliti Namoce crash over from close range and make it 20-12 with ten minutes to go. 

Fiji's cause was further helped with a sin bin to Samoa. They weren't able to build on the advantage and Samoa saw out the rest of the game to take home a big win to begin the tournament. 

Samoa get add one final four-pointer to round off the win. It was another quick hands movement which sent Mapusua over in the left corner to round out the 26-12 result for Samoa.