Fili penalty seals 36-33 victory over Wellington Maoris

 

by Geoffrey Fepuleai

 

A 80th minute Fa’atonu Fili penalty sealed a well deserved 36-33 victory over the Wellington Maori’s. In what was an exciting display of running rugby from both sides, the victory avenges a loss in last years Festival final to the Wellington Maoris losing in a similar fashion to a last minute conversion.

The Wellington Samoans’ who were staring at a third straight loss of less than 7 points for a third week in a row, rallied back from a 11 point deficit to claim their first victory in the final round of festival rugby.

Having seen their lead overturned in previous weeks in the dying minutes. The Wellington Samoans held their nerve despite Maori’s Number 8 Tuakana Metuarau crossing over in the corner to level the scores at 33-33 a piece.

With Maori’s first five Greg Mullany unable to convert from the sidelines both teams seemed to be heading for a draw, until the Maori’s conceded a late penalty proving to be decisive with Fili converting from a tough angle to seal a win for the Samoans.

The Samoans capitalised from the get go, with halfback Phillip Finau scoring in the 5th minute, after receiving a fantastic offload from hooker Junior Makapelu, who had made a break inside the Maori’s 22 metre line.

The Wellington Maori’s responded with a pair of penalties from Mullany, with infringements around the ruck area and offside costing the Samoans 6 points.

The Samoans responded with a penalty of their own,  converted by winger Joyner Key, who had started the match with the kicking duties, kept the scores at 10-6 to the Samoans.

The midfield combination of Isaia Petelo and Paulo Aukuso caused headaches for the Maori’s as they terrorised their midfield counterparts with hard running and tackling throughout the first half.

A midfield break from Aukuso was a catalyst for the Samoans in scoring their second try, after a break from midfield offloaded to Fili who cross-kicked to lock Lucky Tuia who offloaded to winger Joyner Key to score in the corner, who duly converted his own try to extend their lead 17-6.

A dominant scrum performance from the Wellington Maori’s began to pay dividends, with winger Andy Ellis scoring off a powerful scrum from the Samoan’s 5 meter line. With the try converted by Mullany, the Samoans 11 point lead evaporated with the Maori’s scoring yet another quick try in the corner from close range to take the lead into halftime (21-17).

The second half saw the Samoans start strongly, however errors proved costly as handling errors and scrum infringements within the Maori’s half undoing most of the great running from the backs.

The Samoans were left to rue these early mistakes as the Maori’s were awarded a penalty try, with the Samoans  collapsing a maul close to the tryline saw their opponents race to a 28-17 lead.

However, two quickfire tries from Paulo Aukuso and replacement wing Aukuso Tuitama turned the game on its head as the Samoans reclaim their lead (30-28) with 15 minutes to go. Tuitama capitalising on a break from flanker Pago Haini, who beat his defender with ease to run 30 meters to score under the post.

Inspired substitutions by Wellington Samoa proved to be a difference as centre Ope Peleseuma, halfback Ken Kapeli and Aukuso Tuitama all playing a role in both tries. Introduction of forwards James Tuia, Jacob Taituave and back Josh Robertson-Weepu contributed significantly in the momentum shift midway in the second half.

Ball runners Pago Haini, Matt Peni and Lucky Tuia provided forward momentum throughout the match, earning a penalty against the Maori’s for not releasing. A penalty Fili successfully converts extending the lead 33-28.

Despite the Maori’s responding with a late try to even the scores 33-33, it proved to be all in vain as Fili calmly slots the winning penalty in the dying moments.

 

 

Wellington Samoa’s starting Lineup

1. Anthony Mameawit
2. Junior Makapelu
3. Rei Manaia
4. Fala Tuala-Milo
5. Lucky Tuia
6. Pago Haini
7. Tasi Masoe
8. Matt Peni
9. Phillip Finau
10. Faatonu Fili
11. Fereti Soloa
12. Isaia Petelo
13. Paulo Aukuso
14. Joyner Key
15. Ryan Setefano

Reserves:
Jacob Taituave
James Tuia
Ken Kapeli
Josh Robertson-Weepu
Ope Peleseuma
Aukuso Tuitama