Samoa are the winners of the PacificAus Sports 2022 Oceania Rugby U20 Trophy after a two-match competition with Pacific brothers Tonga.
The Galumalemana Rudolph Moors coached side clinched the Championship after beating Tonga Under 20s by 8 points to 5 in the second test match at Teufaiva Stadium, Nuku’alofa.
Last week a second half comeback by Tonga saw them clinch the win by 20-19 after a 19-3 lead to Samoa at half time.
The Junior Manu put up a valiant performance to defeat Tonga 8-5 this weekend infront of their home crowd.
Samoa have been declared Oceania Under 20s champs on an aggregate countback of 27-25 over both games.
In a post-match interview Prop Calvin Fepuleai said they definitely won the battle in the scrum and around the rucks and mauls in this match.
Fepuleai said the win means so much to the Junior Manu squad and they were glad to secure the win for Samoa. He added the Toa Samoa have inspired all national teams and the Under 20s Rugby side are elated to be bringing the Trophy home.
Coach Galumalemana made several changes to his side for the second match. Two changes were made to the front row by bringing in Osadawson Ah Kuoi in for No1 while Pesaleli Faiga was promoted to starting hooker.
Junior Seuteni was moved from tighhead to the lock position in the No4 jersey. Pesaleli Faiga was also promoted off the bench to starting hooker.
The midfield combination changed by bringing Visesio Amituanai off the bench and moving Bitner Tafili to centre.
Asomaliu Nemaia was promoted off the bench to play at left wing while Under 18s rep Malaesaili Elato who wasn’t on the 23-named squad the week before started on the other wing.
Another Under 18s star Eletise Ese was promoted from the bench to start at scrumhalf.
Ese and Malaesaili are both eligible to also play Under 18s, and will be looking to join the Samoa Under 18s squad currently training for the upcoming Oceania competition.
Moevasa Faatoafe moved to lock from open side flanker, making room for Sio Vili to play No7, while Fatu Aunese got to start on the blind side.
Captain Benjamin Faavave, loosehead prop Calvin Fepuleai, first five Tauvaga Kolena and fullback Wally Tau are the only four who retained the same jersey number from the week before.
Junior Manu Samoa travelling party in Tonga.
Names, Villages
1 Junior SEUTENI, Saoluafata, Lalomauga, Falefa
2 Lelini AFATIA, Vaiala, Saoluafata
3 Calvin FEPULEAI, Alamagoto, Lotopa
4 Brennon ELISARA, Moamoa, Fagafau, Fogatuli
5 Henrychiu LEMAUAI, Laulii, Afega
6 Sam ASOTASI, Letogo, Safotu
7 Moevasa FAATOAFE, Moataa, Leauvaa, Ulutogia
8 Benjamin FAAVAE, Ulutogia, Paia
9 Joseph WENDT, Vaiala, Safaatoa, Vaisala
10 Tauvaga KOLENA, Siumu, Saleaumua, Lefaga
11 Reupena POLOAI, Saoluafata, Lufilufi, Vaiala
12 Troy ONOSAI, Vaiala, Falelima
13 Christopher AFAMASAGA, Fasitoo Tai, Vailuutai
14 Bitner TAFILI, Magiagi, Fagaloa, Sagone
15 Wally TAU, Palisi
16 Pesaleli FAIGA, Saipipi
17 Rudolph PAULO, Faleasiu, Vaitele Uta
18 Osadawson AH KUOI, Salelavalu, Vaimoso
19 Sio VILI Fusi, Safotulafai, Lalomalava
20 Tagilima TUIOTI, Nuufou, Safotu, Sasina
21 Eletise ESE, Lotopue, Lalomauga
22 Visesio AMITUANAI, Palisi, Faga, Saleaula
23 Asomaliu NEMAIA, Paia, Lefagaoalii
24 Visesio PENITITO, Aleipata, Saleaumua
25 Fatu Harmony AUNESE, Tapueleele, Letogo
26 Alex LUI TAFILI, Nofoalii
27 Faalava TOETU, Fagamalo, Malie
28 Malaesaili ELATO, Sataoa
Management
1 Galumalemana Rudolph MOORS Head Coach
2 Vaimasenuu Chris FAAOFO Assistant Coach
3 Muliagatele James AH WAI Team Manager
4 Elvera LAM Physiotherapist
5 Orion KEIL Strength & Conditioning Coach
6 Namulauulu Fale SIAOSI Video Analyst
