2013 Polynesian Cup Explained

Year:2013
Pacific Rugby League test
Home:Samoa
Away:Tonga
Home Abbr:SAM
Away Abbr:TON
Home Half1:4
Home Half2:0
Home Total:4
Away Half1:10
Away Half2:26
Away Total:36
Date:20 April 2013
Stadium:Centrebet Stadium
Location:Penrith, New South Wales, Australia
Mom Title:Man of the Match
Mom: Samisoni Langi
Referee: Matt Cecchin
Attendance:10,143
Network:Fox Sports Australia
Commentators:Matt Russell
Greg Alexander
Mark Gasnier

The 2013 Polynesian Cup was played between Samoa and Tonga. Tonga won the test match 36–4. Tonga's Samisoni Langi won the player of the match award, scoring 16 points from two attempts and four conversions.

Controversy occurred late in the match, as the game was ended before Langi had the chance to convert the final try because fans invaded the pitch.[1] [2]

Both teams selected new players, with the most experienced players appearing between 3-8 times. The most experienced players in the test match were Tonga's Richard Fa'aoso and Etu Uaisele who both made 8 previous appearances. Samoa's most experienced player was Ben Roberts who made 3 previous appearances. All players were contracted to NRL clubs (though some were still playing in the NYC, except for Tongan winger Etu Uaisele who played for the Wyong Roos in the New South Wales Cup.

FB 1 Matthew Wright
WG 2 Kalifa Faifai Loa
CE 3 Antonio Winterstein
CE 4 Junior Sa'u
WG 5 Daniel Vidot
FE 6 Carlos Tuimavave
HB 7 Ben Roberts
PR 8 Jeff Lima
HK 9 Masada Iosefa
PR 10 Roy Asotasi (c)
SR 11
SR 12 Sam Tagataese
LK 13 Lama Tasi
Substitutions:
BE 14 Leeson Ah Mau
BE 15 Martin Taupau
BE 16 Mark Taufua
BE 17 Alex Elisala
Coach:
Steve Price
FB 1 Glen Fisiiahi
WG 2 Mahe Fonua
CE 3 Michael Oldfield
CE 4 Siuatonga Likiliki
WG 5 Etu Uaisele
FE 6 Samisoni Langi
HB 7 Daniel Foster
PR 8 Brent Kite (c)
HK 14 Siliva Havili
PR 18 Fuifui Moimoi
SR 11 Sika Manu
SR 12 Jason Taumalolo
LK 13 Anthony Tupou
Substitutions:
BE 9 Nafe Seluini
BE 10 Sam Moa
BE 16 Richard Faʻaoso
BE 17 Ben Murdoch-Masila
Coach:
Charlie Tonga

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Tonga smashes Samoa in a chaotic league Test shutout at Penrith's Centrebet Stadium. foxsports.com.au. 20 April 2013.
  2. Web site: Warren. Adrian. 20 April 2013. Tonga smash Samoa 36-4. Daily Telegraph. 25 September 2017.