A three-game Rugby World Cup Sunday smorgasbord kicks off at lunchtime with a Pacific Islands showdown between Fiji and Samoa in what is guaranteed to be a hard-hitting affair. Join us for live scores from the commencement at 12.30pm AEST.
Both sides come into this afternoon’s clash off a loss last weekend, with Fiji hammered 49-3 by the Springboks, while Samoa weren’t able to break open a stiff Welsh resistance in their 17-10 loss.
Barring the Springboks, Group D remains an open group with Wales, Fiji and Samoa all vying for second spot and a likely quarter-final matchup with Ireland.
The winner of this afternoon’s match will keep their quarter-finals hopes alive, while the loser will have theirs extinguished.
Fiji coach Sam Domoni has recalled veteran flyhalf Nicky Little, who will be playing his 70th test international in his fourth Rugby World Cup, although the lose vital flanker Dominiko Waqaniburotu for the match.
Samoa have the luxury of being able to recall flyhalf Tusi Pisi after he missed the Wales match with a hamstring injury, while Taiasina Tuifu’a and giant prop Census Johnston also return to a strengthened Samoan lineup.
The two teams have met 47 times in their history, with Fiji winning 28 of those matches compared to Samoa’s 17, but interestingly, this will be their first Rugby World Cup encounter.
Since 2007, Fiji lead the head-to-head 3-1 and won comfortably in their most recent matchup, 36-18 at the IRB Pacific Nations Cup in Suva earlier in the year.
Despite this, Samoa are expected to edge their rivals this afternoon, with a physically superior forward pack and some skilled outside runners.
Both sides have it all to play for, and with a healthy Pacific Island community living in Auckland, Eden Park is expected to be close to capacity.
With a quarter-final berth at stake, it’s do or die this afternoon and a bruising encounter is a give. Join us from 12.30pm AEST for live scores of all of the action as it unfolds!
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