Internationals Weekly Wrap: Week II

Kiwis hand Toa Sāmoa 50-point drubbing in Auckland

New Zealand have booked their spot in the Pacific Championships Final after making light work of Toa Sāmoa 50-0 at Eden Park on Saturday.

Jamayne Isaako snagged a first half double to kickstart a successful return to the international arena to boost the hosts to an 18-point half-time edge before the floodgates opened.

Nelson Asofa-Solomona and Isaiah Papali’i grabbed tries early in the second stanza before Ronaldo Mulitalo notched a double of his own and James Fisher-Harris crossed late to cap off his Test captaincy debut.

Isaako scored a double and ran for 213 metres with eight tackle breaks whilst debutant Matt Timoko assisted on two tries and ran for 125 metres with 11 tackle breaks.

Kiwi Ferns finish atop brave Tongans

An Abigail Roache hat-trick pushed the Kiwi Ferns over a courageous Tongan side 28-10 in Auckland on Saturday.

Roache managed a pair of tries in just 10 minutes before Tiana Penitani crossed to answer for the visitors; however, an Amelia Pasikala try saw the New Zealanders jump out to a 16-6 lead on the other side of the break.

Roache grabbed her third and Annessa Biddle joined the party before Penitani grabbed a second only for the Kiwi Ferns to cap it off with a late Mele Hufanga try.

Ilaisaane Taufa was sent from the field for a nasty hip drop that broke Pasikala’s leg early in the second half.

Raecene McGregor assisted on two tries and ran for 176 metres for the Kiwi Ferns whilst Roache scored three, assisted on another, and ran for 176 metres with six tackle breaks.

Penitani scored a double and ran for 115 metres for Tonga whilst Cassey Tohi-Hiku assisted on a try and ran for 144 metres.

Kukis fall short of stunning Fiji Bati upset

The Cook Islands went close to pulling off a stunning upset against Fiji only for a late try to seal it for the Bati on Sunday afternoon in Port Moresby.

Esan Marsters crossed first for the Kukis before Maika Sivo powered his way over to cut the lead to two heading into the sheds.

The Kukis were unable to capitalise on a Kitione Kautoga sin bin but managed to cross via Esom Ioka soon after to extend their lead only for a Jahream Bula try to cut back into it.

Waqa Blake scored to give Fiji their first lead of the night with Kukis 18th man Isaiah Cooper-Tetevano crashing over for what looked to be the match-winner only for a late Sunia Turuva try to seal it for the Fijians.

Bula scored a try and ran for 253 metres whilst Taane Milne ran for 182 metres and made 21 tackles.

Esan Marsters scored a try, assisted on two others, and ran for 147 metres with eight tackle breaks whilst Pride Petterson-Robati ran for 156 metres and made 36 tackles.

PNG Orchids take care of Cook Islands Moana in Port Moresby

The PNG Orchids were successful in their first outing since the World Cup defeating the Cook Islands Moana 28-20 at Port Moresby on Sunday.

Tries to Roswita Kapo, Essay Banu, Lyiannah Allan and Leila Kerowa saw the hosts take a 10-point advantage into the break before Latoniya Norris scored and Allan grabbed a second early in the second half to earn them a handy buffer.

Late tries to Kiana Takairangi and Chantelle Holloway-Samuels dragged the Cook Islands back into it but it proved in vain as the Orchids ran away eight-point winners without skipper Elsie Albert.

Norris scored a try and ran for 172 metres for the hosts whilst Ua Ravu assisted on two tries and ran for 114 metres.

Takairangi scored a try, assisted on another, and ran for 136 metres for the Moana whilst Anneka Stephens ran for 90 metres and made 39 tackles.

England takes 1-0 lead over Mate Ma’a Tonga after tight St Helens affair

England managed to hold off Mate Ma’a Tonga 22-18 overnight thanks to a Tom Johnstone double in St Helens in the first clash of their three-Test series.

Toby King crossed just seven minutes in for the hosts before back-to-back tries to debutants Starford To’a and Tyson Frizell opened up a Tongan lead only for a Mikey Lewis try to tie it heading into the break.

Johnstone scored to earn the lead back for the hosts before streaking away with a drop ball soon after to extend their lead which survived a late Toluta’u Koula try.

Johnston scored a double and ran for 227 metres with five tackle breaks whilst Lewis scored a try and ran for 118 metres with eight tackle breaks.

Addin Fonua-Blake ran for 186 metres and made 28 tackles for the visitors whilst Koula scored a try and ran for 153 metres.

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