Samoa A

Tonga A had opened the scoring with winger Fetuli Paea's third-minute try, before Samoa A edged ahead when D'Angelo Leiulia converted Ricky Ene's try 10 minutes later. The Tongans responded quickly with another try by their other winger Tuhakavalu Ika to lead 10-7 after 17 minutes but that would be the last points they would score.

Winger Fa'asauvale Lucky and captain Henry Stowers both crossed to give Samoa A a 19-10 lead at half-time and they grabbed control of the match with two tries in six second-half minutes through Ene and hooker Gafa Sua.

The two teams met on Friday in the opening round of the World Rugby Pacific Challenge in Suva.

Down 21-9 at half time, Samoa A fought back to 21-21 with two second half tries to halfback Melani Matavao and Joe Sililoto.

But with three minutes remaining Fiji scored two quick tries to Turagavola Veramu Dikidikilati and the captain Mosese Voka.

These followed three first half tries by Warriors to Inia Turagacoko Tamanikaitaroi Tawalo, Waisale Sova Urabuta and Apisalome Vota.

After the match, Stowers took the blame.

The Tongans went into the opening match of the day with an outside chance of lifting the Americas Pacific Challenge trophy but later victories for the USA Selects and Argentina XV meant they had to settle for third place overall.

They started impressively and had the first points on the board when Jaime Faiva took the ball at pace and powered over for a try which half-back partner, Samiu Muna, converted for a 7-0 lead.

Samoa A were quickly back on level terms though when Melani Matavao was able to capitalise on Paulo Scanlan’s hack downfield.

Tonga's dominance in the line-out contributed to their win.

Fiji Times reports Tonga A led 18-7 against Samoa A at half-time.

The opening try by Samoa came from Danny Tusitala which was converted by captain Patrick Faapale. Tonga started off with a penalty from James Faiva and a try from Feofaaki Kaumavae which was unconverted. Minutes later Faiva slotted a penalty to put Tonga ahead 11-7 before a converted try to Topui Sekona for 18-7.

The Samoans were stunned 34-31 by Junior Japan in the tournament opener on Friday.

Head coach Potu Leavasa said they only had one week to prepare their squad because they had been focusing on the Brisbane Global Tens.

He said new trial laws around the scrum, where the 'set' call has been removed, the halfback no longer required a signal to throw in the ball and one player from the team who put the ball in must strike for the ball, were not communicated to them until the day before their first match.

The competition involves Fiji Warriors, Samoa A, Tonga A and Junior Japan.

The key investment tournament will feature closed law trials around the scrum and ruck areas.

It follows the implementation of World Rugby's global law trials which began on 1 January, 2017 in the southern hemisphere and will do so in the north on 1st August.

Fiji Village reports these trials focused on front‑row replacements, advantage, touch, penalty tries and time‑keeping.

A new-look Fijian side, with only a handful of players backing up from the Pacific Rugby Cup earlier this year, thumped USA Selects 62-12 at the weekend in Montevideo, while the Samoans slotted a last minute penalty to topple hosts Uruguay A 44-42.

Fiji coach Senirusi Serevakula said they want to improve their set pieces in what is "the important game of this tour".

Argentina XV and Fiji Warriors kicked off their in impressive fashion with big wins over Rugby Americas North duo, Canada A and USA Selects.

Americas Rugby Championship 2016 winners Argentina XV ran in seven tries to overpower the slow-starting Canadians 56-29, while Fiji Warriors look in good shape to follow up their victory at the World Rugby Pacific Challenge back in April after brushing aside the USA Select XV, 62-12.