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Match Report

Fetu Samoa turn on the power to earn Pacific Cup promotion

Author
Martin Lenehan NRL Senior Journalist
Timestamp
Martin Lenehan

Fetu Samoa will join the Jillaroos and Kiwi Ferns in next year's Pacific Cup after rolling past the PNG Orchids 34-12 at CommBank Stadium on Sunday. 

With skipper Annetta-Claudia Nu'uausala leading the way up front, Fetu Samoa made it a perfect three from three for the tournament, claiming a spot at the 2026 World Cup and earning Pacific Championships promotion.

Fetu Samoa opened the scoring in the sixth minute when Sienna Lofipo darted out of dummy half and created space for 18-year-old winger Mercedez Taulelei-Siala to cross in the corner.

Come the 19th minute and Fetu Samoa had a second after a barnstorming Evah McEwen run gave them field position for Pauline Piliae-Rasabale to go to work and spark a move that finished with Taulelei-Siala putting Jasmine Fogavini over. 

Two minutes later Piliae-Rasabale took the line on and looked to have Samoa's third but replays showed she had lost control of the ball as she tried to get it down and the score remained 10-0.

Jasmine Fogavini Try

The Orchids had a chance to hit back with half-time approaching but sensational scramble defence by Samoa denied them and came away with a try of their own through a 60-metre solo special from fullback Jetaya Faifua. The conversion from Piliae-Rasabale made it 16-0 at the break.

Six minutes into the second term Samoa went further ahead when Lindsay Tui crossed wide out and a possible eight-point try was awarded after Sareka Mooka came in late after the ball had been grounded and collected Tui high.

The lead stretched to 28-0 after Fogavini completed her double in the 44th minute and Piliae-Rasabale banged over the conversion from wide out.

Samoa awarded possible 8-point try after late high contact

A great moment for Orchids skipper Elsie Albert in her 10th Test match when she surged over from close range to give PNG their first points for the tournament after 118 minutes of football.

The Orchids went a player down in the 56th minute when five-eighth Sera Koroi was sent off for a lifting tackle on Sarina Masaga, who was forced to leave the field.

Refusing to lay down, the Orchids grabbed a second try when Albert completed her double and the margin was back to 16 points.

With five minutes to play it was young flyer Jessica Patea beating several defenders on a 65-metre run to the line to make it 34-12.

Match Snapshot

  • Fetu Samoa lost their captain's challenge in the fifth minute when they unsuccessfully challenged a knock-on call against Annetta-Claudia Nu'uausala.
  • The Fetu Samoa side included seven teenagers, including the game's first tryscorer Mercedez Taulelei-Siala, back-rower Evah McEwen, hooker Sienna Lofipo and five-eighth Tavarna Papalii.

Koroi sent off

  • The Orchids lost their captain's challenge in the 10th minute when Elsie Albert was pinged for a strip and the bunker upheld the referee's call.
  • Orchids forward Sareka Mooka was placed on report in the 11th minute for a hair pull.
  • Orchids centre Belinda Gwasamun was put on report for a high tackle in the 23rd minute.
  • The Orchids lost winger Jenny Wesley to a knee injury in the 20th minute.

Elsie Albert 1st Try

  • Fetu Samoa skipper Annetta-Claudia Nu'uausala had 16 runs for 179 metres and broke nine tackles.
  • Orchids skipper Elsie Albert played the entire 70 minutes in stifling conditions and racked up 178 metres from 19 runs with 13 tackle breaks and two tries. She was named player of the match despite being on the beaten side.
  • Orchids bench player Mala Mark went on report for a hair pull in the 40th minute.
  • Fetu Samoa centre Lindsay Tui has scored four tries in four Test matches.
  • Fetu Samoa have won their last four Test matches.

Lindsay Tui Try

  • Orchids five-eighth Sera Koroi was sent off in the 56th minute for a dangerous tackle.
  • PNG forward Sareka Mooka and Fetu Samoa hooker Sienna Lofipo both left the field for HIAs in the 57th minute after a head clash.
  • Fetu Samoa came up with 11 line breaks compared to PNG's two.
  • Fetu Samoa centre Jessica Patea ran for 151 metres and had eight tackle breaks.
  • Fetu Samoa's 18th player Claudia Brown made her Test debut when she was activated in the 60th minute.

Mercedez Taulelei-Siala Try

Play of the Game

Jetaya Faifua Try

What They Said

Fetu Samoa: Week 4

Orchids: Week 4

From the Field: Pauline Piliae-Rasabale

From the Field: Christian Pio

 

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