Samoa edge Fiji to remain unbeaten

On the charge: Samoa's Ole Avei

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David Lemi scored two tries as Samoa stayed unbeaten in the Pacific Nations Cup with a 29-26 win over Fiji.

Samoa followed its 20-18 first-up win over Tonga with an impressive win against Fiji to top the standings in the four-nation competition.

Both teams scored three tries, but flyhalf Ki Anufe led Samoa to victory by contributing 14 points from a conversion and four penalties.

In a see-sawing contest, Setariki Koroilagilagi opened the scoring for Fiji with a third-minute penalty before Anufe leveld with his first penalty two minutes later.

Nemia Kenatale scored the first try of the match and Koroilagilagi converted to give Fiji a 10-3 lead, which became 13-6 after Koroilagilagi and Anufe exchanged penalties.

But Samoa rallied with a 26th-minute try to Alafoti Faosiliva, converted by Anufe, then took control of the match with tries to Lemi in the 29th and 51st minutes. Samoa led 18-13 at halftime and 23-13 after Lemi's second try.

Fiji closed to within five points at 26-21 with a try to Netani Talei and, after a penalty by Anufe, scored a further try through Tuapati Talemaitoga a minute from fulltime, but it was too late to change the course of the game.

Fiji: 15 Kameli Ratuvou, 14 Aloisio Buto, 13 Vereniki Goneva, 12 Isake Katonibau, 11 Watisoni Votu, 10 Setareki Koroilagilagi, 9 Nemia Kenatale, 8 Netani Talei (c), 7 Malakai Volau, 6 Josefa Domolailai, 5 Leone Nakarawa, 4 Apisai Naikatini, 3 Waisea Daveta, 2 Seremaia Naureure, 1 Jeremaia Yanuyanutawa.
Replacements: 16 Tuapati Talemaitoga, 17 Setefano Somoca, 18 Iliesa Ratuva, 19 Ratu Malakai Ravulo, 20 Kelemedi Bola, 21 Iliesa Salusalu, 22 Waisea Nayacalevu.

Samoa: 15 Faatoina Autagavaia, 14 Paul Perez, 13 Lolo Lui, 12 Paul Williams, 11 David Lemi (c), 10 Ki Anufe, 9 Jeremy Sua, 8 Benjamin Masoe, 7 Maurie Faasavalu, 6 Alafoti Faosiliva, 5 Daniel Chricton, 4 Faatiga Lemalu, 3 James Johnston, 2 Wayne ole Avei, 1 Sakaria Taulafo.
Replacements: 16 Pelesiusi Kualau, 17 Logovii Mulipola, 18 Maselino Paulino, 19 Misioka Timoteo, 20 Galuefa Tuigamala Falamoe, 21 Fautua Otto, 22 Ken Pisi.