Samoa defeats Cherry Blossoms

From staff reporters
June 16, 2007

SAMOA has rallied to defeat Japan 13-3 in a Pacific Nations Cup rugby championship match in Sendai, Japan, with Hurricanes Super 14 wing Lome Fa'atau scoring the only try of the game.

Japan led 3-0 at half-time through a penalty goal from five-eighth Eiji Ando, but the visitors took control in the second half.

Samoa full back Loki Crichton levelled the ledger with a penalty goal seven minutes after the interval, and Fa'atau, on as a replacement, put the visitors in front with his try midway through the second half.

Crichton converted before adding a late penalty goal to complete the scoring.

Japan was left to lament three missed penalty goals by Ando.

Samoa ends its championship campaign with a match against Tonga in Apia on June 23, while Japan hosts the title-winning Junior All Blacks at Prince Chichibu stadium in Tokyo on June 24.

Report Card

Japan 3 (Eiji Ando penalty goal)
Samoa 13 (Lome Fa'atau try; Loki Crichton conversion; 2 penalty goals).
In Sendai, Japan

Standings

P W D L F A BP Pts
Junior All Blacks 4 4 0 0 177 31 4 20
Australia A 4 3 0 1 158 90 2 14
Samoa 4 2 0 2 46 64 B0 8
Fiji 4 1 0 3 56 101 3 7
Tonga 4 1 0 3 66 134 1 5
Japan 4 1 0 3 48 131 0 4