Exclusive: Player rankings for Fiji vs. Samoa at the Pacific Nations Cup
Under head coach Mick Byrne, Fiji defeated rivals Samoa 42–16 to open their Pacific Nations Cup campaign. Despite a tense first half, the hosts won handily thanks to a brilliant display in the second forty minutes. In front of their home supporters in Fiji, the Flying Fijians ran away with a spectacular victory after scoring 27 points in a row. This is the Fijians’ ranking in comparison to Samoa.
Hetet Haereiti: 5/10
In the end, Haereiti Hatet’s performance was somewhat subdued. After fifteen minutes, the loosehead prop was tied for the lead in tackles completed, but by the end of the game, he trailed a few Fijian colleagues. Though he was largely absent from the attack, Hetet did contribute to a strong Flying Fijians scrum.
Ikanivere Tevita (c): 6
Tevita Ikanivere, the captain of Fiji, had a first-half to remember. Ikanivere is a wonderful player; rugby fans have witnessed this for years, whether in Test matches or Super Rugby Pacific, but it is precisely this reason that the hooker’s first-half display was so unexpected. After missing the mark on his first five attempts in the lineout, Ikanivere finally ended the concerning run in the 39th minute with a precise pass to inside center Inia Tabuavou.
Ikanivere was somewhat quiet offensively aside from that, but he more than made up for it with some strong defensive stops. The hooker put in a strong shift without drawing attention to himself. He shown resiliency and set an example that the Flying Fijians wanted to witness from their skipper.
Samu Tawake: 7.5
Seeing a tighthead prop put in a lot of effort on the playing field is always inspiring. In addition to being a worker in the park, Samu Tawake had enough stamina to contribute to a strong Flying Fijians scrum. Being in the thick of things all the time allowed Tawake to end the game with 12 tackles, ranking among the game’s leaders in that category by the time he was substituted in the second quarter. No team seemed to seize the lead for a time at the set-piece. Up until Tawake’s strong work against a physically strong Samoan pack early in the second half, which helped Fiji secure a scrum penalty, the game was rather evenly matched.
However, there was one instance in the first half to forget. Melani Matavao, Samoa’s halfback, defeated Tawake way too easily in defense, leaving him gasping for air. The scrumhalf ended up setting up the first try of the evening for the visitors as he danced down the field.
Nasilasila Isoa: 7.5
Isoa Nasilasila seems to have put in more effort than anyone else in the first half. Tall and aggressive throughout the breakdown, the second-rower kept circling the middle part of the park in an attempt to become involved. Apart from his involvement in two breakdowns in as many phases in the 21st minute, Nasilasila was virtually always in the broadcast. That indicates a player who is putting forth a ton of effort.
Mayanavanua Temo: 7
Despite being sent off in the first half, Temo Mayanavanua ended the game as one of the best tacklers of the game. What other indication could there be of a player who has made a sincere effort to atone for a moment of bad discipline? Mayanavanua was strong, dependable, and deadly on both sides of the ball aside from the yellow card. A special mention should go to the lock for consistently applying pressure to Samoa’s throw at the lineout.
Meli Derenalagi: 7.5
Rugby enthusiasts were reminded once more on Friday night just how vital Meli Derenalagi is to Fiji. Instead of producing showcase plays, Derenalagi was forced to put in a lot of effort in the trenches to have an influence. The loose forward’s finish as one of Fiji’s best tacklers of the game didn’t come as a surprise. Early in the second half, Derenalagi made one particularly spectacular run down the right side of the field, which demonstrated how much the momentum had shifted in the hosts’ favor.
Salawa Kitione: 9
Kitione Salawa was praised by the analysts during the first half and at the halftime break for a cause. In the first forty minutes, the Flying Fijians saw a try and a couple of turnovers, but the openside flanker stood out as the clear favorite. When necessary, Kitione carried well and held his ground on the ball’s defensive side.
However, Salawa’s impact didn’t diminish in the slightest throughout the second term. The backrower helped Fiji overtake Samoa on the scoreboard with two more tries to clinch a hat-trick. It was evident that Salawa and Frank Lomani were competing for player of the match awards.
Elia Canakaivata: 5
Elia Canakaivata’s performance was incredibly subdued. After receiving a red card in the twelfth minute, the backrower didn’t appear to be able to impact the game any more. Canakaivata only managed a few tackles, but he did engage in some offensive play with a few carries.
Frank Lomani: 8.5
When wearing the prized Flying Fijians white and black jersey, Frank Lomani, a tremendously good player, always appears to step it up. Seven minutes into the game, Lomani initiated a heads-up play in which the halfback ran around 20 meters before forcing another penalty in Fiji’s favor. That established the mood. From then on, Lomani contributed significantly to the Flying Fijian’s assault with his kicks and overall play. In the 47th minute, Lomani made a spectacular break along the right touchline. A few minutes later, he returned to the action and scored a try that helped Fiji win.
Caleb Muntz: 8
During a news conference earlier this month, coach Mick Byrne informed media that Fiji had two 10s with “world-class” potential. Caleb Muntz is the other, and Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula is the nephew of former All Black Richie Mo’unga. Muntz was selected to start at flyhalf against Samoa, giving him the first chance to make an impression in the No. 10 jersey. Nonetheless, the 24-year-old was competent but not exceptional for extended stretches of this Test, leading the team through the park while Fiji failed to muster much momentum. To be honest, that did change a little during the second term.
Actually, the playmaker was really good when it came to ball defense. At halftime, Muntz had the most tackles of any player with ten, and he kept up his impressive effort in the second quarter with numerous strong stops. Approximately 13 minutes into the second half, some outstanding work by the flyhalf helped to thwart a Samoan attempt.
Momo Epeli: 4
Winger Epeli Momo had to wait around thirty minutes for his first carry during his debut. Momo took advantage of the situation by sprinting 15 to 20 meters down the field after he received the ball close to the left sideline. However, that was his sole opportunity to score; sometimes, that’s just how wingers roll.
Inia Tabuavou: 8
There’s a reason why the pundits started praising the inside center after Inia Tabuavou was replaced during the second term. In addition to being a solid defensive option, Tabuavou made a huge contribution on the offensive end of the field. At the breakdown, the midfielder had a considerable effect as well. Tabuavou was unfortunate to miss out on more penalties after consistently winning possession of the ball in advantageous areas.
Iosefo Masi: 7
It was strange for a moment not to hear Iosefo Masi’s name uttered. The outside center for the Fijian Drua and Flying Fijians is a well-known try-scoring machine in attack, but Samoa appeared to shut out the midfielder for the first twenty-five minutes or so of the match.
Masi received a beautiful ball from Frank Lomani in the 29th minute, approximately 35 meters from Samoa’s try line. Masi ran all the way to the five-meter line while Samoan players were huddled around him. He then jumped up, took an offensive posture, and burrowed over for a vital touchdown for that half. All in all, Masi gave a strong showing. Nevertheless, in the first half, the outside center did mishandle the ball more often than any other Fijian player.
Selestino Ravutaumada: 6
You will know what this writer means when she says that Selestino Ravutaumada’s experience was comparable if you read the section on Epeli Momo. The right winger had a few ball touches, but most of these carries were insignificant because there wasn’t much of an opportunity to get into space.
Karawalevu Vuate: 7
Vuate Karawalevu, the fullback for Fiji, had a debut to remember. Fiji’s second-to-last try of the game was scored by the No. 15, capping an impressive display that also featured some excellent ball carrying and some elegant clearance kicks.
Replacements
Mesulame Dolokoto: 6.5
Eroni Mawi: 7
Peni Ravai: 6.5
Mesake Vocevoce: 6
Albert Tuisue: 6.5
Moses Sorovi: 6.5 – Did a good job after coming on as a replacement for Frank Lomani.
Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula: 7.5
Apisalome Vota: N/A