Manu Sina thrash Tonga at Oceania Championship

By Thomas Airey 21 November 2018, 12:00AM

Samoa had a 66-7 win over Tonga in the second round of the Oceania Womens’ Rugby Championship in Lautoka, Fiji yesterday.

Tonga scored in the opening minutes when Manu Sina knocked on at the kickoff, and they rumbled over to take an early 0-7 lead.

It was one way traffic from there as Samoa were able to break the line at will.

After beating Papua New Guinea with power in the last game, Manu Sina showed they have plenty of pace in this one.

They were able to play around Tonga, with backs Lumepa Maiava, Soteria Pulumu and Billy Jean Tuavale-Ale all dangerous finding space out wide.

By the first water break Samoa led 22-7, and showed no sign of slowing down despite the 34 degree heat.

Tonga got very little ball and made attacking look hard when they did get it, while the Manu Sina were able to peel off metres at will.

At halftime the score was 27-7, Tonga having defended their line well by committing so few players to the ruck. 

The floodgates opened again in the second half though, and by the second water break the score was 56-7.

As substitutes entered the game, Manu Sina lost a lot of their attacking continuity. 

This meant they’d score only twelve more points in the final period, taking the win 68-7.

Samoa will play competition hosts Fiji in their final game of the tournament on Saturday.

Both teams will enter the game on two wins from two, so the winner will also win the whole competition.

By Thomas Airey 21 November 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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