Quarter Final: Fiji vs Samoa

rhugh89

rhugh89

Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Thread for this Quarter Final clash on Monday 18th November

1:30am (AEDT)
12:30am (AEST)

Live on 7mate


Fiji vs Samoa - 2013 World Cup @ Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington


Head to Head

Played - 1
Fiji - 0
Samoa - 1


In England

Played - 0
Fiji - 0
Samoa - 0


World Cup Matches

Played - 0
Fiji - 0
Samoa - 0


Fiji's Record in the World Cup

Played - 12
Won - 4
Lost - 8


Fiji's Overall Test Record

Played - 19
Won - 8
Lost - 11


Samoa's Record in the World Cup (2 Games as Western Samoa in 1995)

Played - 12
Won - 7
Lost - 5


Samoa's Overall Test Record

Played - 22
Won - 11
Lost - 11


2013 WORLD CUP STATS



Metres Gained

Fiji - 3,310m
Samoa - 4,066m


Tries

Fiji - 8
Samoa - 16

Line Breaks

Fiji - 8
Samoa - 18

Tackle Breaks

Fiji - 53
Samoa - 117

Tackles

Fiji - 867
Samoa - 771


Missed Tackles

Fiji - 114
Samoa - 79

Errors

Fiji - 28
Samoa - 33

40/20's

Fiji - 0
Samoa - 1


Yellow Cards

Fiji - 1
Samoa - 1


Red Cards

Fiji - 0
Samoa - 0


Penalties Recieved

Fiji - 28
Samoa - 33


Facts and Figures



* Fiji are Ranked Number 7 in the RLIF Rankings


* Samoa are Ranked Number 8 in the RLIF Rankings


* These 2 teams have only met once and that resulted in a 30-28 win for Samoa


* Samoa have scored the 4th highest amount of tries in the 2013 RLWC (16 @ 5.3 per game)


*They also have the 4th highest amount of Try Assists in the 2013 RLWC (13 @ 4.3 per game)


* Fiji have missed more tackles than any other team in the 2013 RLWC (114 @ 38 per game)


* Samoa have the second highest amount of Tackle Breaks in the 2013 RLWC (117 @ 39 per game)


* Samoa have the third most Line Breaks in the 2013 RLWC (18 @ 6 per game)


* Fiji have the second lowest error count in the 2013 RLWC (28 @ 9.3 per game)


* Samoa makes the second highest amount of Offloads in the 2013 RLWC (45 @ 15 per game)


* Samoa have received more penalties than anyone else in the 2013 RLWC (33 @ 11 per game)


* Fiji have received the 3rd highest amount of penalties in the 2013 RLWC (28 @ 9.3 per game)


* Antonio Winterstein has score 4 tries so far in the 2013 RLWC


* Anthony Milford is in great form he is averaging 119.3m per game, Has made 24 Tackle Breaks and 5 Line Breaks


* Our very own BJ Leilua is on fire as well, He is averaging 97.3m per game and has made 21 Tackle Breaks, 1 Line Break and has 3 Try Assists to boot !!


* Ben Roberts is average as usual, He has made more errors than any other player in the 2013 RLWC with 10 (3.3 per game)


* Our very own Akuila Uate is up to his old tricks averaging 1.5 tries per game as well as 110.5m per game and has made 6 Tackle Breaks and 1 Line Break


* Kevin Naiqama has made 9 Tackle Breaks and 2 Line Breaks in his 3 games, Unfortunatey he has also managed 6 errors (2 per game)


* Petero Civonceva is averaging 117.6m per game








* 2013 World Cup Stats courtesy of www.rlwc2013.com

* Historical Stats are my own work
 
Samoa hit by bans ahead of RLWC quarters

By Ian Laybourn
AAP
3:10am Wed 13th November, 2013

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Samoa have lost two players to suspension ahead of their World Cup clash with Fiji.


Samoa have paid the price for their over-physical approach with two of their players given suspensions ruling them out of the Rugby League World Cup quarter-final against Fiji.

The Pacific Islanders had new St Helens signing Mose Masoe sin-binned and three other players put on report, one of them twice, for foul play during the early stages of their 22-6 win over the French in Perpignan.

An international match review panel on Tuesday handed out one-match bans to second rower Leeson Ah Mau and loose forward Sauaso Sue which will sideline them for the last-eight clash with Fiji in Warrington on Sunday.

Ah Mau was punished for a grade A offence of striking with his shoulder on France scrum-half William Barthau, while Sue was found guilty of a trip on the same player in the second half.

Scrum-half Ben Roberts, the other player to be placed on report by referee Henry Perenara for an alleged 'spear' tackle, was told he has no case to answer, but Sue was also issued with a formal caution for striking the unfortunate Barthau with his shoulder.

The suspensions will be keenly felt by the Samoans, who have lost three players - Reni Maitua, Harrison Hansen and Frank Winterstein - for the rest of the tournament through injury.

They were give permission to call up former St Helens forward Tony Puletua, which took their squad strength back up to 22.

Both Ah Mau and Sue have until 11am on Wednesday to accept the sanction or lodge an appeal, which would be heard at an international disciplinary tribunal in Leeds later that day.


http://www.nrl.com/samoa-hit-by-bans-ahead-of-rlwc-quarters/tabid/10874/newsid/75368/default.aspx
 
Samoa v Fiji preview

By Matt Encarnacion
NRL.com
6:30am Sat 16th November, 2013

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Samoa will start as narrow favourites against Fiji in the best match of the quarter-finals.


Samoa v Fiji

Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington

Sunday 3pm (UK time)

Monday 2am (AEDT), 1am (AEST)

The fourth quarter-final between Fiji and Samoa promises to be the most evenly-matched game of the weekend.

Although the Samoans enter as slight favourites, it's amazing that they've even got this far given the adversity that coach Matt Parish has had to endure over the group stages in regards to his roster.

Injuries to Frank Winterstein, Reni Maitua and captain Harrison Hansen has hampered the beginning of Samoa's World Cup campaign, while ill-discipline in their final group match win over France has resulted in a one-game ban to forward Leeson Ah Mau.

They did catch a break when they successfully appealed to overturn Sauaso Sue's one-game suspension, while Mose Masoe was lucky to escape a ban overall.

As a result, veteran forward Tony Puletua answered an SOS call and got some much-needed game time against the French.

Fiji, similarly, have had to overcome plenty of hurdles to qualify for the final eight.

After beating Ireland 32-14 in their opening game, the Bati went tryless against the Aussies, 34-2, before managing just two tries against hosts England, 34-12.

Not only will coach Rick Stone face a mammoth task of trying to lift his side after successive defeats to two heavyweights, but he will have to do it without prop
Korbin Sims, who was found guilty of spear-tackling England prop James Graham in their final group game.

A likely semi-final with Australia awaits the winner of this clash.

Watch out Samoa

England and Australia kept Fijian fullback Kevin Naiqama quiet with masterful kicking displays over the past fortnight, but with halfback Ben Roberts shouldering most of Samoa's general play kicking, expect plenty of fifth-tackle pressure from the Fiji defence.

Naiqama showed the type of danger he can be in their win over Ireland, breaking seven tackles and setting up a try and a line break.

Watch out Fiji

The message was bright and clear for Samoa against the French: all out aggression. It remains to be seen whether coach Matt Parish will employ a similar game plan against the more physical Fijians, but the Bati will have watched Samoa's last game against France and readied themselves for a similar onslaught.

Halves Alipate Noilea and Aaron Groom in particular will be looking over their shoulders quite often.

Key Match-Up

The power of Kevin Naiqama versus the agility of Anthony Milford is the easy choice, but the battle between centres Tim Lafai and Joey Leilua up against Sisa Waqa and Was Naiqama could be match-defining.

The challenge to stop the in-form Leilua should be the first or second priority for the Fijians, given he has 26 tackle breaks in his three World Cup games.

Where It Will Be Won

The halves. Ben Roberts, Iosaia Soliola, Noilea and Groom aren't necessarily household names, but all four men hold the key to their side's chances of moving to the final four of the tournament.

Soliola was a late shuffle to five-eighth against France with Pita Godinet coming on after 20 minutes, so the responsibility falls largely on Roberts.

Noilea and Groom, on the other hand, will need to lift their games after struggling against Australia and England. Both teams have the men out wide, and the men in the middle, so it's just a matter of who can add the finishing touches to their sets.

Televised

7mate – Live from 1:30am Monday (NSW); 12:30am (Qld)

The Way We See It

Samoa are the official favourites, and they have every right to be. They enjoy more experience in the halves and on the bench. The key, as mentioned earlier, will be in the halves where Ben Roberts is the centre of attention.

Can he handle it? We think he can. Samoa by eight.


http://www.nrl.com/samoa-v-fiji-preview/tabid/10874/newsid/75401/default.aspx
 
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this will be awesome to watch, i still think Samoa will win but personally i'm going for fiji, definatelly gonna be a 50/50 match though.
 
Island rivals set for bruising RLWC clash

By Nathan Miles
AAP
12:58pm Sat 16th November, 2013

Samoa coach Matt Parish insists there are more than just local bragging rights at stake when his side take on Pacific Island rivals Fiji in Sunday's World Cup quarter-final.

A spot in the last four is a glittering potential prize for Parish's team in Warrington, but there is also the added bonus of sealing a spot in the 2014 Four Nations.

Samoa, who come into the quarter-final clash on the back of a 22-6 win over France, have yet to reach the last four of a World Cup.

And despite being without the suspended Leeson Ah Mau after their ill-tempered victory in Perpignan, they come into the clash on a roll.

Having lost their tournament opener to defending champions New Zealand, they have now won two from two in their trademark hard-hitting style.

And Parish said there would be no quarter given against Fiji in a clash that promises to be the most physically brutal of the tournament so far.

"We wanted to be physical against France, because again we knew that the French crowd would certainly fire them up, so we knew we had to stand up to them and I thought the boys played terrific," he said.

"But now we are, as I said, all our energies are going into Warrington on Sunday against Fiji.

"It will be certainly very physical. It's a spot in the final four, also whoever wins this will be in next year's Four Nations which is massive for either country who can do it for the development of rugby league in that country.

"It's going to be a massive game and something that we're all really looking forward to.

While Samoa are on a two-match winning run, Fiji have lost their last two including a second-half blow out against England last weekend in Group A that saw the Islanders go down to a 34-12 defeat.

They too are hamstrung in selection with Korbin Sims handed a two-match ban for a dangerous tackle in the loss to England.

"It's a collision game and unfortunately you're not in control of everything once you hit each other at high speed and different things like that," Fiji coach Rick Stone said.

"The Samoa team is packed full of NRL experience, so they're a highly-rated opponent, and we've got a few players of our own with NRL experience. But it should still be a good game."


[url]http://www.nrl.com/island-rivals-set-for-bruising-rlwc-clash/tabid/10874/newsid/75412/default.aspx[/URL]
 
Wow !!

Great start for Fiji...

Uate makes a break and runs 40m downfield, passes back on the inside to Groom who crashes over...

Fiji lead 6-0 after 4 minutes...

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Wes Naiqama converts a Penalty Goal after David Fa'alogo gets penalised for a shoulder charge...

Fiji Lead 8-0 after 10 Minutes...

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BJ Leilua has copped a finger in the eye from Sisa Waqa...

Seems okay though, Just a bit sore I think !!

- - - Updated - - -

Wes Naiqama smacks Milford around the head...

Few high tackles creeping in now...

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Now Ashton Sims has accidentally kneed Sauaso Sue in the head causing a cut...

Sue not happy when Ashton tries to apologise...

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Push and shove now as Mose Masoe comes in with a shoulder charge and is penalised for it...

This game is threatening to get out of control soon...

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Fiji blow a try..

Kevin Naiqama throws a forward pass to an unmarked Uate who drops it...

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Wes Naiqama scores of a nice little grubber into the in-goal by Groom...

Naiqama converts his own try...

He has 3/3 now and a try for a grand total of 10 points...

Fiji lead 14-0 after 33 minutes...
 
I've enjoyed it so far, Not the highest quality game but entertaining nonetheless

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Samoa get their first try ...

Winterstein scores in the corner...

Conversion unsuccessful...

Fiji lead Samoa 14-4 after 59 minutes...

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Junior Moors has just smashed Aaron Groom in one of the best hits I have ever seen !!
 
This is more like it. Last 10 minutes has been much better.

Ben Roberts has been at his absolute worst again tonight, by god he is a shocking rugby league player.
 
FIGHT !!!!!

Punches have been thrown after Bukuya is hit high by Lafai...

Penalty to Fiji and Lafai on report...

Captains warned and told to control their players...

- - - Updated - - -

cowboyman said:
This is more like it. Last 10 minutes has been much better.

Ben Roberts has been at his absolute worst again tonight, by god he is a shocking rugby league player.
Click to expand...

I have no idea how Roberts is even in the NRL...

Terrible Player...

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Wes Naiqama kicks the Penalty Goal...

Fiji lead 16-4 after 70 Minutes...

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Groom MOTM...

Well deserved I think, He has been good tonight...

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FIJI HAVE WON !!

They have scored again after a break from Uate who got it away to Koroisau who offloads to Roqica and he scores under the posts...

Fiji Lead 22-4 with less than a minute to go...
 
What a try to cap off the match. The 2nd half has been much much better. Fiji have dominated from the outset, the result has never been in doubt.

Best 4 sides in the semis, can't complain about that.
 
FULLTIME

FIJI - 22
SAMOA - 4

SEMI FINAL NEXT WEEK - AUSTRALIA vs FIJI @ WEMBLEY STADIUM
 
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Had money on Uate first and last try scorer and annoyingly he sets up both the first and last try!

Well done Fiji, can't wait for this next game.
 
Brilliant to see Fiji make the semis again! Best atmosphere in either of the semis in 2008 was thanks to their fans, and they've really developed the game over there since then as well, so it is very well deserved.

I don't think you could say any other country put as much effort into their build-up, with several televised trials over there, including all their front liners.

Also awesome to see Akuila, Kevvie and Korbin, plus Stoney have the success as well. Massive accomplishment by Rick Stone.
 
Good to see that the semi finalists are the same teams as the 08 ones. Fiji have already played against Australia so hopefully that could make the game tougher for Australia and we could see a close match.
 
Petero leads Fiji to RLWC semis

AAP
7:25am Mon 18th November, 2013

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Fiji powered past Samoa to set up a World Cup semi-final clash with Australia.


Former Australia international Petero Civoniceva is relishing the prospect of a big finish to his career after leading Fiji to a second successive Rugby League World Cup semi-final appearance.

The 37-year-old prop, Australia's most-capped forward with 45 appearances, delayed his retirement in order to lead his native country at the tournament and once more led from the front as they overcame Samoa 22-4 in Sunday's fourth quarter-final at Warrington.

It means Civoniceva will bring the curtain down on his career either against the Kangaroos at Wembley on Saturday or, if the Fijians pull off a shock win, at Old Trafford a week later.

"It was something we didn't talk about because all our focus and preparation was on this game but we can talk about Wembley now," Civoniceva said after Penrith centre Wes Naiqama scored 14 of his side's points in an impressive win.

"It's great feeling to know that potentially my last game will be played at (one of) two amazing venues.

"I feel I've been very blessed. I started this rugby league ride in 1998 and to be still here, I feel very proud of that.

"I'm really looking forward to enjoying the week, taking it all in with my teammates."

Fiji dominated Sunday's game at the Halliwell Jones Stadium from start to finish, with man-of-the-match Aaron Groom scoring one try and setting up another for Naiqama, who also kicked five goals.

"We didn't play perfectly in every aspect of the game but to only let in one try was a massive boost for us," Fiji coach Rick Stone said.

"I'm really proud of the boys.

"All our experienced NRL players stood up for us today."

Samoa's only response was a 58th-minute try from winger Antonio Winterstein.

"We didn't play that well but overall I'm happy with the tournament," said Samoa coach Matt Parish.

The Fijians' comfortable win not only earned them a second meeting with the Kangaroos inside a month but is expected to secure a place in the 2014 Four Nations Series in Australia.

"It would be great to get an invitation to do that," Stone said.

"I've got a lot of good young players, both in Fiji and in the NRL coming through for Fiji."

The lure of a Four Nations spot will not tempt Civoniceva into postponing his retirement plans.

"My wife won't let me," he said.

"They say 'happy wife, happy life', don't they?

"I'd definitely love to be a part of the development of rugby league in Fiji and mentoring the young players coming through."

Fiji's meeting with the Kangaroos - who demolished the USA 62-0 on Saturday - at Wembley will follow a Group A clash between the sides in St Helens a fortnight ago, when the Kangaroos triumphed 34-2.

Holders New Zealand will face England in Saturday's other semi-final.


http://www.nrl.com/petero-leads-fiji-to-rlwc-semis/tabid/10874/newsid/75424/default.aspx


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Samoa v Fiji player ratings

By Matt Encarnacion
NRL.com
10:06am Mon 18th November, 2013

Player ratings from Fiji's 22-4 win over Samoa in the Rugby League World Cup quarter-finals.


SAMOA


1. Anthony Milford: Well-contained by the Samoan defence, holding him to his quietest performance of the tournament. Still broke six tackles, but committed a couple of errors. 6

2. Antonio Winterstein: Scored Samoa's only points of the match, but most of his work was done carrying the ball out of his own end. 6

3. Tim Lafai: Took him until deep into the second half to make an impact, setting up wing partner Antonio Winterstein before getting flooring Jayson Bukuya with a high shot minutes later. Was put on report, but it's a moot point. 6

4. Joey Leilua: Copped a finger in the eye from Sisa Waqa, which might've contributed to his game-high five errors. Had a mysterious stint on the bench before trying to force the issue when he came back on to no avail. 4

5. Daniel Vidot: Rarely saw the ball outside of the error-prone Leilua, but did help his forwards out as much as he could. 5.5

6. Penani Manumalealii: Left the field early in the game with what was believed to be an arm injury, throwing Samoa's structure into chaos. 3

7. Ben Roberts: Initially struggled without a five-eighth, but had some nice touches as the game wore on. 6

8. David Fa'alogo: Gifted Fiji two points for a late shoulder charge on Aaron Groom in the first half, and then had a stint in the centres when Leilua came off. Made 111 metres and 26 tackles. 6

14. Michael Sio: Matt Parish's decision to start with Sio proved fruitless, with Sio outplayed in the early exchanges by his opposite in James Storer. 5.5

10. Suaia Matagi: Solid without being spectacular, which is unusual for the hard-hitting Warrior. 6.5

11. Iosaia Soliola: Tried hard to inspire his team in defence, making a team-high three one-one-one tackles, but also made six ineffective ones. 6.5

12. Tony Puletua: Didn't have the powerhouse game we're used to seeing from the St Helens stalwart, running the ball just six times and making a meagre 14 tackles. 5.5

13. Sauaso Sue: Stung early by an accidental knee from Ashton Sims, but that didn't stop him from being Samoa's hardest-working forward with a team-high 119 metres and 35 tackles. 7.5

9. Pita Godinet: Came on after 20 minutes but didn't have the impact coach Parish would've wanted. 6

15. Junior Moors: Shook the stadium with a jolting – and legal – hit on Groom in the second half, but was otherwise invisible. 6

16. Mark Taufua: Lit up the game thanks to an early exchange with Fiji firebrand Ashton Sims, and every one of his 10 runs were a handful. 6

17. Mose Masoe: Had his typically brutal night, making a handful of big charges and forcing some errors with his mere presence alone. Will be a fan favourite in the Super League next year. 6


FIJI


1. Kevin Naiqama: Ran a flawless 165 metres but was made to look inferior to his two powerhouse wingers, who combined almost 400 metres. 7.5

2. Marika Koroibete: Was peppered with over a dozen kicks from the Samoan playmakers but passed every test with flying colours. Brought the crowd to their feet with a signature bullocking run down the left sideline in the second half. Made a team-high 220 metres, seven tackle breaks and two line breaks. 8.5

3. Sisa Waqa: Would've been nervous coming up against the in-form Leilua, but forced his opposite centre into a nightmare game. 6.5

4. Wes Naiqama: Had a perfect night with the boot, kicking five from five. Also chased down a Groom grubber for Fiji's second try. Strong. 7

5. Akuila Uate: Made 173 metres and busted six tackles, but committed four errors. Set up Fiji's first try with a trademark midfield bust fluffed a potential try set up by Kevin Naiqama. 7.5

6. Daryl Millard: Played second fiddle to his halves partner in attack, but was did a good job in defence. 6

7. Aaron Groom: Wore a huge hit from Junior Moors in the second half, but that did little to tarnish a dominant performance from the under-rated halfback. Expertly led his team around the field and showcased a masterful kicking game, adding a try to boot. 8

8. Ashton Sims: Made the loudest 61 metres a front-rower could make, setting the tone with an authoritative first half stint. 7

9. James Storer: Impressive game from the little-known dummy half who was Cameron Smith-like in his ability to put his forwards on the front foot before coming off after 48 minutes. 7

10. Petero Civoniceva: The Bati skipper played 46 of the first 56 minutes and extended his playing career by at least one game with a vintage performance, making the most of his wingers' good work with 135 metres and 31 tackles. 8

11. Tariq Sims: Playing almost the entire game, Tariq was a handful on Fiji's right edge with 111 metres and 28 tackles. Did concede a team-high three penalties though. 7

12. Jayson Bukuya: Wasn't happy with a high shot from Lafai and made a key cover tackle on Leilua late in the game to thwart an unlikely Samoa comeback. Made 94 metres and 30 tackles in an 80-minute performance. 7

13. Eloni Vunaceke: The trademark hair made him standout, but so did his work ethic, making 72 metres and 25 tackles in just 42 minutes. 6.5

14. Apisai Koroisau: Came on in 49th minute and made the exact impact his coach would've wanted him to, setting up a try and playing enterprising football. 6.5

15. Junior Roqica: Backed up a line break by fellow substitute Koroisau to seal the win under the posts, and made the most of the game time he had. 6

16. Kane Evans: Strong performance from the rising Rooster, providing great energy off the bench by way of 119 metres and 26 tackles. A star of the future. 7

17. Semi Radradra: Came on for final 20 minutes but made little impact. 5


http://www.nrl.com/samoa-v-fiji-player-ratings/tabid/10874/newsid/75428/default.aspx
 
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When did Uate fluff a try set up by Kev? The only one I can think of is Kev throwing a forward pass that Uate dropped infront of him. 7.5 is a fair rating still

I thought Koroibete would've got MOTM.
 
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