Fiji made an excellent start to their Pacific Nations Cup campaign, defeating Samoa 42-16 in their tournament opening match in Suva on Friday.

Despite the huge lead, Fiji had to work hard to get the result as Samoa were competitive in the early stages of the encounter and had a narrow lead of 16-15 at halftime.

In the end, Fiji outscored their visitors by six tries to one, with winger Kitione Salawa leading the way with a well-deserved hat-trick and the other five-pointers coming from Iosefo Masi, Frank Lomani and Vuate Karawalevu. Caleb Muntz finished with 12 points, having converted three penalties and as many conversions.

Samoa’s points came from a try by Pisi Leilua and three penalties by D’Angelo Leuila.

Good start for Fiji

Fiji were the quickest out of the starting blocks and Salawa scored the first try in the fourth minute before Samoa hit back with a three-point shot from connector Leuila’s kicking tee to reduce the gap.

Left winger Leiula then scored a converted try before another penalty from his namesake Samoa gave them a 13-5 lead in the 26th minute.

Fiji reduced the gap after half an hour with a neat try from Masi which Muntz converted, meaning the game was level as Samoa led 13-12.

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Shortly before half-time, Leuila and Muntz converted further penalties. The guests were highly motivated and led by a narrow one-point margin at half-time.

That was to be the last time they scored any points, however, as Fiji dominated proceedings in the second half. The hosts took the lead in the 44th minute when Muntz converted a penalty, and by the 60th minute they were 32-16 ahead after further tries from Salawa and Lomani.

As the game progressed, they kept the upper hand and further tries from Karawalevu and Salawa made their dominance clear and they secured a well-deserved victory.

The teams

Fiji: 15 Vuate Karawalevu, 14 Selesitino Ravutaumada, 13 Iosefo Baleiwairiki, 12 Inia Tabuavou, 11 Epeli Momo, 10 Caleb Muntz, 9 Frank Lomani, 8 Elia Canakaivata, 7 Kitione Salawa, 6 Meli Derenalagi, 5 Temo Mayanavanua, 4 Isoa Nasilasila, 3 Samu Tawake, 2 Tevita Ikanivere, 1 Haereiti Hetet
Substitute: 16 Mesulame Dolokoto, 17 Eroni Mawi, 18 Peni Ravai, 19 Mesake Vocevoce, 20 Albert Tuisue, 21 Moses Sorovi, 22 Isaiah Ravula, 23 Apisalome Vota

Samoa: 15 Tomasi Alosio, 14 Tuna Tuitama, 13 Lalomilo Lalomilo, 12 Alapati Leiua, 11 Pisi Leilua, 10 Alai D’Angelo Leuila, 9 Melani Matavao, 8 Olajuwon Noa, 7 Murphy Taramai, 6 Theo McFarland, 5 Sam Slade, 4 Ben Nee -Nope, 3 Marco Fepulea’i, 2 Andrew Tuala, 1 Aki Seiuli
Substitute: 16 Sama Malolo, 17 Tietie Tuimauga, 18 Brook Toomalatai, 19 Senio Toleafoa, 20 Jonah Mau’u, 21 Danny Tusitala, 22 Afa Moleli, 23 Stacey Ili

Referee: James Doleman (NZL)

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