Samoan teams have dominated the IRB Pacific Rugby Cup since it burst onto the scene two years ago with Savai’i Samoa winning the inaugural competition in 2006 and Upolu Samoa lifting the title last year.

The 2008 competition has been no different with Upolu Samoa undefeated and heading the standings after three rounds, while Savai’i remain in touch in third place in the standings after suffering their first defeat at the hands of Tautahi Gold last weekend.

This weekend the two sides will clash in Apia in a match that will go a long way to determining who will qualify for the 2008 Grand Final. Yet whatever the result, Samoa Rugby Union Tournaments Manager Wayne Schuster believes that the performance of the Samoan sides highlight the massive strides that the Union has made in recent years.

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“Samoan sides have won the first two competitions, and we have been heading in the right direction this year,” Schuster told Total Rugby. “We are certainly making the most of the opportunity given to us by the IRB in providing the Pacific Rugby Cup and we have put in place high performance strategies and development pathways that dovetail with the tournament to ensure success and it is something that the Samoa Rugby Union have got right.

“It has also been a tournament that has drawn a large amount of enthusiasm from both the players and the supporters and importantly it has proven successful for the Union in terms of unearthing the next generation of international players.” 

The big match of round four at Apia Park is likely to draw a big crowd as Savai’i and Upolu need to win for very different reasons. With two rounds remaining a win for Upolu would virtually guarantee a place in the Grand Final, while Savai’i need to win to keep their own hopes of a second final alive.

“We are still improving, but then so are the other teams,” admitted Upolu Samoa coach Fepuleai Selefuti Patu. “The match will be very tough. Savai’i know us well and we know them so it will be extremely competitive, I am sure of that. The pressure is on and neither side wants to lose and the match will take on added significance as it will also double as a trial for the national side.”

Upolu Samoa v Savai’i Samoa
Kick off 15:00 local time on Saturday 10 May at Apia Park, Apia.

Upolu Samoa: To be announced.

Savai’i Samoa : To be announced.

Fiji Warriors v Tau’uta Reds
Kick off 19:00 local time on Friday 9 May at Churchill Park, Lautoka

Another side needing victory to keep alive their hopes of reaching a second final are Fiji Warriors when they face Tau’uta Reds in Lautoka on Friday in an encounter which brings together two sides who have suffered final heartbreak at the hands of Samoan sides.

Iliesa Tanivula’s charges kicked off their campaign on a high with a win over the other Tongan side Tautahi Gold, but have since lost both of their matches in Samoa at the death and need to win their two remaining games to stand a chance of reaching the final.

Tanivula has retained the core of the line-up that lost to Upolu Samoa last weekend, making only one change in the second row with Sikeli Donu making way for Aca Ratuva.

“We lost to Upolu yes, but I thought the team really did a good job and looked promising,” Tanivula said. “I have made some changes here and there this week, it’s all to try and improve on the weaknesses we had against the Upolu Samoa.”

Tau’uta Reds, so impressive in reaching the final last year, have surprisingly failed to win a match so far in 2008 and injuries to fliers Sailesi Havili and Ualosi Kailea will make the quest for that elusive first victory even tougher, although coach Sione Fetuani is adamant they can achieve it.

“We want to go home this weekend with at least something in the bag,” insisted Fetuani. “It will be tough considering that the Warriors will be eager to win too but our management and the players have arrived at a consensus that we must win this weekend.”

Fetuani has called upon the young but talented Petelo Tupou for his debut in the competition on the left wing in place of Havili. In other changes to the backline, Lataimu’u Anitoni starts at fly half ahead of Vaea Poteki, who moves to full back, and Tupou Palu starts on the right wing at the expense of Kailea. In the only change in the forwards, Makonni Mafi starts at blindside flanker ahead of Kelepi Halafihi.

Fiji Warriors: 1. Isireli Temo 2. Viliame Veikoso 3. Viliame Seuseu 4. Mosese Vasuitoga 5. Rupeni Nasiga 6. Wate Vocevoce 7. Aca Ratuva 8. Deryck Thomas 9. Aporosa Vata (Captain) 10. Waisea Luveniyali 11. Patrick Osborne 12. Vuniyani Ratu 13. Saula Radidi 14. Malakai Bakaniceva 15. Taniela Rawaqa.

Replacements: 16. Alefoso Yalayalatabua 17. Vereniki Sauturaga 18. Samuela Anise 19. Apisalome Ratuniyarawa 20. Waisale Vatuvoka 21. Jonetani Ralulu 22. Epeli Vuicuvu.

Tau’uta Reds: 1. Otulea Fifita 2. Atelelea Huakau 3. Seteki Matau 4. Isileli Fine 5. Sione Tamani 6. Makoni Mafi 7. Afale Tongia 8. Lotu Filipine (Captain) 9. Emele Taufa 10. Lataimu’u Anitoni 11. Petelo Tupou 12. Sione Masima 13. Ofa Takai 14. Tupou Palu 15. Vaea Poteki.

Replacements: 16. Taniela Te’ekafa 17. Sosicia Halanukonuka 18. Kelepi Halafihi 19. Tavalea Takai 20. Siope Kapali 21. Sikaele Ahoafi 22. Sione Tuipolotu.

Tautahi Gold v Fiji Barbarians
Kick off 15:00 local time on Friday 9 May at Teufaiva Stadium, Nuku’alofa

Tautahi Gold enhanced their reputation as an outside bet for a place in the Grand Final with a convincing victory over 2006 champions Savai’i Samoa last weekend, picking up a bonus point for the 27-17 win at the Teufaiva Stadium.

The Tongans moved up to second place in the round robin standings and will be looking to build on that result when they face a Fiji Barbarians side with only one victory to their name in 2008, a narrow 25-24 defeat of Tau’uta Reds at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka last weekend.

Fiji Barbarians meanwhile have suffered two blows with the news that number 8 Josefa Nagatalevu and utility back Ravai Fatiaki sustained injuries during their defeat of Tau'uta Reds and will not be available for selection.

Tautahi Gold: 1. Makoni Finau 2. Feki Moala 3. Soane Ledger 4. Taukolo Tu’akoi 5. Samiu Ika 6. Sione Niu Tonga 7. Nili Latu 8. Siope Poutele 9. Soane Havea 10. Fangatapu ‘Apikotoa 11. Tevita Halaifonua 12. Semisi Motu’apuaka 13. Heimuli Pangai 14. Samisoni Pone 15. Sitaleki Lu’au.

Replacements: 16. Sione Maama 17. Rodney Mahe 18. ‘Atunaisa Faka’osi 19. ‘Aleki Taka 20. Leakona Tovi 21. Sione Katoa 22. Sione Lavaka.

Fiji Barbarians: To be announced.