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Samoa player ratings vs Tonga | Pacific Nations Cup Round 2
By Jon Newcombe
Samoa extended their 44-year unbeaten home record against Tonga in Apia to 20 matches with a 43-17 win that keeps their hopes of a fifth Pacific Nations Cup title alive.
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A 42-16 defeat to Fiji in round one meant there was no margin for error second time around and whilst their performance was littered with handling errors, Samoa were still way too good for a Tonga team playing in their first match of the tournament.
However, Samoa will be disappointed by the way their energy dropped, as it did against Fiji, after they had built up a 29-0 lead with 49 minutes gone.
The bonus-point win moves Samoa level with Fiji on five points in Pool A, but having played a game more.
15. Afa Moleli – 4
Failed to take his chance after being promoted from the bench. Turned over too easily in contact and was guilty of passing into touch when under no pressure to ruin a promising attack at the start of the second half.
14. Tuna Tuitama – 7
Noticeably busier than on debut last week and was rewarded for his industry with his first Test tries. Both were walk-ins but this was a definite step-up in performance from the sevens superstar whose mazy run near the end gave Samoa the lift they needed and showed the threat he poses in broken field play.
13. Stacey Ili – 6
Good step off his right foot for the game’s opening try from eight metres out and he finished the game well with a big hit on opposite number, Fine Inisi. Not much happened for him between those efforts, though, so the jury will still be out.
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12. Alapati Leiua – 5.5
Generally marshalled the midfield defence well as Samoa shut down Tonga by denying them time and space. But the experienced centre will be disappointed Tonga No.8 Lotu Inisi ran through him twice for tries.
11. Tomasi Alosio – 6
Intercepted Pat Pellegrini’s pass on halfway in the second half but didn’t have the pace to finish. Some nice touches and plenty of metres made but was overshadowed by his fellow sevens international Tuitama.
10. D’Angelo Leuila – 7.5
A calm and collected display from the gifted footballer who kicked four of his six attempts at goal. Did a lot of good work in back field as the primary ball receiver in the 51 minutes he was on the pitch.
9. Melani Matavao – 8
Built on his excellent performance last week with another eye-catching display. It was his electric break from a scrum in centre field that led to Samoa’s second try. Once again, he was a nuisance at the breakdown for the hour he was on the field.
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1. Aki Seiuli – 6
Held up well at scrum time up against the giant Ben Tameifuna but wasn’t able to get his hands on the ball as much as last week.
2. Sama Malolo – 8
Overcame some early lineout wobbles to have a great game in the loose, whether it was in defence with some strong work over the ball or as a rampaging ball carrier. Denied a try at the start of the second half when he was tackled without the ball with the line at his mercy.
3. Tietie Tuimauga – 5
Didn’t really impose himself on the game but was solid enough in defence and in the scrum.
4. Benjamin Petaia Nee-Nee – 6
After last week’s solid defensive display, the athletic lock showed his handling skills with some really deft touches around the park. A good source of lineout ball, too.
5. Samuel Slade – 7
Slade was involved in the thick of the action in the second half having been fairly anonymous in the first, including scoring a try which took everyone by surprise. After a wayward Tongan pass bounced off his chest on halfway, Slade regathered and strode forward before stopping, along with everyone else, thinking the referee would blow for a knock-on. He didn’t and screamed ‘play on’, allowing Slade to start up again and out-gas the Tongan cover. His turnover at the end brought the game to a close.
6. Theo McFarland (capt) – 6.5
A couple of try assists from the Samoan captain and a good break down short side which almost led to a try for Malolo. Was Samoa’s main ball winner at lineout time. An improvement on last week when he looked off the pace.
7. Izaiha Moore-Aiono – 7
Scored tries at the start and the end of the second period to cap a good 80-minute display. The first came from the back of the maul but he had work to do for the second, showing good strength to drive through contact and touch down through a pile of bodies.
8. Iakopo Petelo Mapu – 5
Looked set to be a crowd favourite with some strong early carries but the remainder of the game largely passed him by until he was replaced on 56 minutes.
Replacements:
16. Luteru Tolai – 5
Got off to an inauspicious start when his first throw went awry. But carried well after that.
17. Andrew Tuala – 5
Only had eight minutes at the end, so not much to judge him on.
18. Brook Toomalatai – 6
Conceded an early scrum free kick but otherwise made an impact with his physicality.
19. Michael Curry – 6
Good strength into contact and good feet to avoid it when needed. Looked lively.
20. Jonah Mau’u – 6.5
Looks at ease at this level despite this being only his second cap. As he did against Fiji, the back-rower wasted no time in announcing his arrival from the bench with some strong carries.
21. Danny Tusitala – 6
Matavao is a tough act to follow but his understudy went quietly and effectively about his work.
22. Rodney Iona – 6.5
Returned to the Test arena after nearly two years and it felt like he had never been away. Showed good composure with ball in hand and exited well from his own 22 when putting boot to ball. Nailed a touchline conversion and was only just short with a 48-metre penalty attempt.
23. Lalomilo Lalomilo – 6
Came on with 20 to go and hit up well on a couple of occasions in midfield.
