Samoa surprised Fiji this past weekend in Apia as they snatched the Pacific Nations Cup from under their noses by beating the favourites 31-9 in the Samoan capital. The win adds to their impressive IRB Sevens World Series win earlier in the year.
Fiji were expected to win the final game after coming out tops in their previous two, but the Samoans scored five tries to take their first ever Pacific Nations Cup title after they came away with a better points difference, despite also having two wins and a loss.
“This win was for the people of Samoa. We came into the game with no pressure but just to give our best shot and prove our worth to the people of Samoa,” said captain Mahonri Schwalger.
“I am pretty lost for words, but we came out here to win the game and gave it all we had for the people in our country,” added Schwalger.
“It is amazing what attitude can do. At the end of the day you want to win the game and we threw everything we had at Fiji and now we have the cup so I am proud of my boys.
The Samoan side had its fair share of Sevens stars on show, with one of their biggest, Mikaele Pesamino, showing those skills as he scored a great solo effort. Joe Tekori also crossed in the first half, while fellow Sevens players Uale Mai and Alefoti Faosiliva also scored, with the latter scoring twice.
Its the first time that the PNC has been won by a Pacific Island nation, after it was dominated by New Zealand sides since its 2006 inception.
The following is only short highlights, but includes Pesaminos great try. Big congrats to Samoa.
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