Fiji Bati smacks Toa Samoa

Too many errors, too little experience gave too much space for Fiji Bati to run out commanding 24-4 victors over Toa Samoa last night.

The pre-match jousting promised a match full of thunderous hits with lightning speed and true enough, Fiji Bati delivered on all counts as the powerful and disciplined Bati forwards raided a hapless Toa Samoa side full of endeavour but short on league know-how and experience. Disappointed Toa Head coach Lauaki Fred Tuilagi faced up to Observer Sports with simple words, ?Too many dropped balls. Too many errors.

We talked about those facets and we drove it to them this morning to keep the ball and play our six tackles. You just can?t do that and expect to win tests. We lost and it could have been worse.?

From the kick off the writing was on the wall for Toa as Bati forwards found gaps in the Toa defense too easy. A rampaging forward assault led to the first try scored by Fiji centre Esira Dokoni under the post.

A second raid put winger Jone Yacadrau into space and he scorched down the right touchline scoring a well worked try bringing a boisterous round of cheers from the huge Fijian supporters on the South stand.

Near half time a line break by Samoa?s Lepupa Taualagi had the huge Apia Park crowd on its feet. All he needed was to pass and a try was there for the taking. But he decided to go it alone, slipped, the try went begging and the referee blew his whistle for Fiji to take a 10-0 lead to the sheds.
The second half couldn?t have been worse for Samoa as Fiji winger Eteuati Tagicakibau finished off a clinical move on the left flank.

Shortly after fullback Seruvi Ralulu dotted down for Fiji?s fourth try before Samoa claimed a consolation tr

y to right winger Tanielu Pasese. By that time there was a constant stream of fans making their way out of the stadium as Fiji Bati was playing at a different league.

Yet Fiji was on a roll and keen to have the last say and what a say it was. A beautifully worked forward wedge at halfway sucked in the Samoa defence. A cute little offload found unmarked the dangerous Etuate Tagicakibau on the left and he didn?t need any other invitation.

He just turned on the afterburners and streaked unopposed to score under the sticks to complete a well deserved and emphatic victory for Fiji Bati.

A very happy Fiji Bati coach, Joe Rabele, told Observer Sports it?s a real honour and privilege to be invited to play a test match against Toa Samoa. ?For me personally this is an opportunity to help develop our players to the 2013 and 2017 world cup. So if we see some of these local players in the world cup then these test matches will have served their purpose.

?For us winning wasn?t the number one priority, it was the opportunity to play against Samoa and prepare our local players for higher honours. And if we can have more matches like these then it will benefit both Fiji and Samoa.?

When asked about spoiling Samoa?s independence party especially with its World Series win in the iRB 7s Rabele smiled, ?You know, league is nowhere near as popular as Union back home so we?re very glad for the opportunity to play. As for spoiling Samoa?s party, I think rugby league is the winner today and that?s something we can all celebrate.?

Rabele confirmed they will be issuing a return match against Toa Samoa to be played in Fiji next year. Hats off to Fiji Bati, they certainly turned on a classy display at Apia Park last night and even if you?re a Toa Samoa fan that much you have to admit. For sure, one Samoan fan by the name of Lanuola Tupufia was full-on cheering as Eteuati Tagicakibau scorched over for Fiji?s final try.

MATCH RESULT
Fiji Bati 24 ? 4 Toa Samoa
Fiji: Try - Eteuati Tagicakibau (2), Esira Dokoni, Jone Yacadrau, Seruvi Ralulu. Conversion - Eteuati Gusuivalu (2)
Samoa: Try - Tanielu Pasese.
Player of the Match: Meli Kunadrau (half back)
Weather: overcast 28 degC
Crowd: 2,000

http://www.samoaobserver.ws/i