Wellington Under 19’s edge out Wellington Samoans 31-26

by Geoffrey Fepuleai

The Wellington Samoa Men’s Senior team was inflicted with their second loss of the festival season going down 26-31 against a talented Wellington Under 19’s team, who look to build on this performance with the upcoming National under 19’s tournament.

 

In an entertaining performance from both teams, the Samoans were the first to draw blood after 15 minutes with fullback Ryan Setefano finishing a beautiful interchange between props Steve Fa’atau and Nu’u Lene inside their opponents 22.

A  40 meter intercept by Wellington Samoa Number 8 Lise Soloa compounded further misery against the Under-19 side who were unlucky not to be on the scoresheet themselves earlier in the match. However,  the young side were left to rue costly errors as well as deal with the bone crunching defence of the Samoans led by centre Ope Peleseuma, which meant the Samoans raced away with 14-0 lead.

A scrum deep in their own territory, U19’s wing Losi Filipo was rewarded with a brilliant solo effort beating 3 defenders running 90 meters to score 19’s first try of the game before the stroke of halftime. (14-7)

A number of fresh substitutions made at halftime benefitted the U19 side, who responded with three quick fire tries after the break extending their lead 24-14. Halfback Kemara Hauiti-Parapara capitalising off a scrum to score near the post, followed by tries to outside backs Levi Harmon and Willie Fine which added more pressure to the Samoans.

The second half  proved to be a frustrating half for the Samoans with a number of calls going against them. Having spent majority of the time without the ball the U19’s capitalised with extra ball in hand, with their replacements providing impact off the bench. In a tireless display of tackling, the loose forward trio of Ahtun Masun, Lucky Tuiatua and Lise Soloa racked up the tackle numbers against a U19 side who were becoming confident as the game wore on.

With the U19’s fitness being a major factor in the second half. A midfield break from replacement prop Ivan Fepulea’i for the U19’s setup another try for Willie Fine who still was made to work for his try, beating 2 defenders to score his second of the day extending their lead to 31-14.

A late flurry marshalled by halfback Ken Kapeli, meant the Samoans quickly shifted back into gear with quick play and nifty footwork by back replacement Josh Robertson-Weepu who raced 40 meters to put the scores at 31-19 with 10 minutes to go. After great pressure from a scrum the Samoans were rewarded in the 77th minute with prop Jacob Taituave busting through from close range to put the Samoan outfit within a converted try to win. However, it proved too late with the U19’s hanging on to win 31-26.

 

 

The Wellington Samoan’s will take many positives from this game and look to next week’s game against familiar opponents- Wellington Maori’s at the same venue, Saturday 27th August 1pm at Petone Rec