Fiji Warriors cut lose in the second half to beat Tau’uta Reds 40-15 and book their place in the IRB Pacific Rugby Cup 2009 final against Upolu Samoa next weekend in Apia, giving them the chance to avenge a last gasp loss by the same opponents in round four.

The Warriors, who lost to Savai’i Samoa in the inaugural final in 2006, had led only 14-8 at half time in a match which had come to live with hooker Tone Tukufuka scoring the first try for the home side at the Teufaiva Stadium in Nuku’alofa.

The two sides had traded penalties before then with fly half Alipate Tani having given the Warriors a 6-3 advantage after Vaea Poteki’s early kick for Tau’uta Reds. Number 8 Rupeni Nasiga edged the visitors back in front with Tani kicking his third penalty to keep the fans on the edge of their seats.

Part of the magic of the IRB Pacific Rugby Cup is the crowds and during half time in the Tongan capital there were cheers and dancing in the stands as they awaited the players to return to the field for the second half.

The Warriors scored first after the break through flanker Samu Bora and while Talite Vaioleti crossed for the Reds, it was the visitors who ran away with the match thanks to tries from wing William Saukuru, centre Ropate Ratu and replacement Nemia Kenatale.

With Fiji national coach Ilie Tabua watching from the stands as the Warriors turned on the style, the chance is there for them to avenge a 23-21 loss to Upolu Samoa last weekend when Roger Warren kicked a last gasp penalty in Lautoka.

However while the Fijians will go into the final on a high, Upolu Samoa will do so on the back of their first defeat in the 2009 competition, having come off second best in the all Samoan affair with Savai’i, losing 26-6 at Apia Park.

Savai'i finish on a high

The loss of two players in the opening minutes to injury did not help Upolu, the 2007 champions and beaten finalists last year, although they did take the lead in the 12th minute through replacement Warren’s penalty.

Savai’i had gone into the match knowing that if they could secure a bonus point win and the Warriors lose in Tonga then it would be an all Samoan final, and they signalled their intentions with a 14-point run in just six minutes with wing Falelua Sione and centre David Laban both crossing for tries.

Warren ended the half with a second penalty as Upolu Samoa went in trailing 14-6 at half time, but the fly half went off injured himself within minutes of the restart and crucially Savai’i scored first with a third try from number 8 Nissan Aitui.

With both sides ringing the changes the score remained at 19-6 until four minutes from time when Savai’i capitalised on their man advantage with Suki Fuimaono in the sin-bin to score a bonus point try through wing Meki Magele.

This bonus point means that while Savai’i Samoa miss out on a second Pacific Rugby Cup final appearance, they do leapfrog 2008 champions Tautahi Gold to finish third in the standings with Tau’uta Reds fifth and Fiji Barbarians – their country’s Under 20 side – bottom.