Super Sunday: Samoa singing after the rain

Pleasure and Payne: Playing on home turf at Suncorp and wearing the blue of Samoa for the second time, Payne Haas had a day to remember with a try and seven tackle busts. The game's best front-rower lapped up every moment of a memorable afternoon and was mobbed by teammates after crossing in the 66th minute.

Full-time: A sensational win for Samoa to the tune of 34-6 with veteran fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck running for 276 metres and breaking six tackles in a vintage display. Brian To'o, Izack Tago and Simi Sasagi also ran for big metres as Samoa booked their spot in the Pacific Cup final on November 9.

79 min: Tolu Koula grabs a late try that will help Tonga with their task next week when they face the Kiwis to try and earn a spot in the final. 

76 min: The party is in full swing for the Samoan fans as Francis Molo lays on a try for Chanel Harris-Tavita with a superb short ball from close range. Samoa 34-0.

73 min: Sensational footwork by Izack Tago to get outside his man and create a tryscoring opportunity for Murray Taulagi but the last misses the mark.

70 min: Leka Halasima puts the ball down as Junior Paulo and Murray Taulagi muscle up in defence to force the error.

66 min: Samoa's big men combine with Terrell May finding Junior Paulo who delivers a short ball for Payne Haas to plunge over for the try that seals victory for Ben Gardiner's men. Blaize Talagi converts. Samoa 28-0.

62 min: Superb hands from Blaize Talagi with a catch and pass for Murray Taulagi to score in the corner after Junior Paulo and Jarome Luai had played their part in the build-up. Talagi nails the kick from touch. Samoa 22-0.

61 min: A poor pass by Soni Luke flies over the sideline and Samoa take over in possession.

60 min: And we're back! Can Samoa go on with the job after the lengthy delay or will Tonga fight back. We resume with Samoa in possession on tackle four.

Five-minute bell: The players have been told they can start a five-minute warm-up inside the dressing room. They will then have five minutes warming up on the field with the game scheduled to kick off at 7.00pm (AEDT) and 6.00pm local time.

NRL head of football Graham Annesley tells Channel Nine that lightning is coming within 1km of the ground and things are "not looking great at this stage". The lightning is the risk to the players and is too close to the ground at the moment.

60 min: LIGHTNING DELAY. With lightning in the area the players are taken from the field at 4.25pm local time by order of the ground manager.

57 min: Soni Luke makes a clean line break and when he comes to fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck he chips over the top for Isaiah Iongi to chase. Iongi gets to the ball first but can't bring it to ground. Luke looked to be taken out by RTS after he had kicked the ball but the bunker ruled the fullback had held his ground.

55 min: An error early in the count from Daniel Tupou puts Tonga under huge pressure inside the Red Zone but Blaize Talagi's pass goes behind Brian To'o and Samoa come up empty.

50 min: Demitric Vaimauga is placed on report for a cannonball style tackle on Josh Papalii.

48 min: Unbelievable skill from Samoa after a huge run by Brian To'o before Blaize Talagi gets the ball on the last tackle and flicks to Jazz Tevaga who tips on to Simi Sasagi who lobs the ball to Jarome Luai and on to Jeremiah Nanai who grubbers for himself and regathers to score a brilliant try. Blaize Talagi fails to convert. Samoa 16-0.

46 min: Razzle dazzle footy from Samoa before a chip over the top on the last tackle is cleaned up by Isaiah Iongi and a dropout ensues.

42 min: An early opportunity for Tonga to get on the board but a flick pass from Addin Fonua-Blake is too hard for Demitric Vaimauga and hits him in the head and the ball is turned over.

Herculean effort: Junior Paulo plays the entire half without a break and comes up with seven powerful runs and 18 tackles, including one of the hits of the year on Soni Luke.

Half-time: Samoa complete 17 of 21 sets at 80 per cent while Tonga complete at 77 per cent in a tight opening 40. Only six penalties in the first half but 13 errors as the humidity takes a toll. 

38 min: Tonga run the ball on the last and the ball finishes up with Eli Katoa who puts in a kick. Isaiya Katoa chases and makes a tackle but is ruled in front of the kicker and Samoa get a penalty.

35 min: Simi Sasagi makes a strong run for Samoa but is dragged down from behind and loses the ball as he gets up to play it.

33 min: Blaize Talagi looks to chip over the top for his outside chasers but the ball comes off the side of his boot and goes out on the full.

29 min: A freakish try from kick-chase expert Jeremiah Nanai as he chases a Jarome Luai bomb, catches it with one hand, does superbly to control the ball and pulls through Addin Fonua-Blake's tackle and scrambles over to score. Blaize Talagi converts. Samoa 12-0.

25 min: Brian To'o makes a rare mistake under the high ball and Tonga go on the attack but a couple of loose passes cost them big metres and Isaiah Iongi turns it over.

18 min: A dropped ball by Sione Katoa off a bomb hands Samoa possession in close range and a penalty follows for offside at the set scrum. Blaize Talagi takes a shot at goal from adjacent to the posts. Samoa 6-0.

16 min: Tonga go on the attack but Rob Toia's pass to Sione Katoa is ruled forward and Samoa come away.

13 min: Brian To'o gets close to the line and fashions a grubber through the line and the ball evades everyone and goes dead for a 20m tap for Tonga.

9 min: A stunning try from Samoa as Murray Taulagi produces an outrageous flick pass to Blaize Talagi who sends Izack Tago flying into the corner. Talagi misses the conversion. Samoa 4-0.

4 min: A penalty against Tonga for a flop gives Samoa a chance to go on the attack.

2 min: Stefano Utoikamanu takes the ball to the line and is hit high by Francis Molo who is placed on report. Utoikamanu leaves the field for a HIA and is replaced by Moeaki Fotuaika. The Storm prop is ruled a Category 1 and will not return.

Kick-off: Tonga get us underway and Brian To'o takes the first hit-up after the ball bounced awkwardly down to the corner.

Late Mail

Tonga XIII: A switch on game day with Leka Halasima joining the starting side along with Felise Kaufusi who came in on Saturday for Jason Taumalolo (knee). Siua Wong goes back to the bench where he is joined by Soni Luke, Moeaki Fotuaika and Demitric Vaimauga. State of Origin centre Robert Toia will make his Test debut as will Storm prop Stefano Utoikamanu, Warriors edge forward Halasima and Eels young gun Isaiah Iongi, who will join Isaiya Katoa in the halves. Paul Alamoti is 18th man.

Toa Samoa: Hooker Jazz Tevaga will take his place after the NRL cleared him to play despite suffering a head knock last week while prop Terrell May (hamstring) is back after missing the Kiwis game. Tevaga comes from the bench with Benaiah Ioelu starting the game while May also comes off the bench. Francis Molo also starts the game with Josh Papalii going to the bench. Simi Sasagi joins the starting side in place of Jaydn Su'A (concussion). 

Numbers Game

• Tonga have won two of their past three Tests against Samoa.
• Toa Samoa have lost their last six Test matches.
• Co-captain Junior Paulo will play a record 19th Test for Toa Samoa.
• Daniel Tupou and Siliva Havili will equal Tui Lolohea’s record of 22 Tests for Tonga.

 

Women's Pacific Cup: Jillaroos v Fetu Samoa

Full-time: The Jillaroos prove too strong in a 60-0 triumph in front of 30,852 fans already in the house at Suncorp. The 11-try romp has the Jillaroos primed for a huge clash against the Kiwi Ferns in Auckland next week which will decide the Pacific Cup title.

68 min: Jillaroos skipper Kezie Apps puts the icing on the cake in her 20th Test match with a clean line break from 45 metres out and a sprint to the line to score. Jesse Southwell converts. Jillaroos 60-0.

64 min: Tiana Penitani Gray explodes into space and sends the ball back inside for Tamika Upton to complete her double. Upton and Jesse Southwell had helped set up the play before the fullback backed up on the inside to take the pass from Penitani Gray. Jillaroos 54-0.

63 min: Jaydika Tafua is helped from the field nursing her arm as Samoa are down to just 13 fit players on a tough afternoon.

61 min: Jakiya Whitfeld goes over in the right hand corner for the Jillaroos' ninth try. Jillaroos 48-0.

55 min: Sarina Masaga cops an accidental knee to the jaw and is forced from the field to leave Samoa with just 14 fit players. Masaga is assessed as a category 2 head knock.

52 min: A party trick from Julia Robinson as she goes full tilt to chase a Jesse Southwell kick and flies through the air to take the ball out of Mercedez Taulelei-Siala's hands and score a sensational try. Southwell converts. Jillaroos 44-0.

51 min: Jetaya Faifua lands heavily on her shoulder and loses the ball. She undergoes more treatment from the trainer and is taken from the field.

49 min: Samoa also lose their captain's challenge after unsuccessfully challenging a knock-on call against Destiny Brill.

46 min: The Jillaroos lose their captain's challenge after they challenge a Yasmin Clydsdale error but are unsuccessful.

42 min: More quality ball-playing from Jesse Southwell and Tamika Upton tees up a try for Yasmin Clydsdale who sprints 30 metres to score. Southwell converts. Jillaroos 38-0.

39 min: Quincy Dodd gets in on the tryscoring action after starting and finishing a movement that also featured Tamika Upton and Isabelle Kelly. Jillaroos 32-0.

37 min: A blow for Samoa as halfback Jetaya Faifua leaves the field after copping a knock to the head trying to make a tackle. She is taken for a HIA which she passes.

36 min: An early line break from Tamika Upton but the final pass goes astray.

Sausao stands tall: The Dally M rookie of the year again showed her class after being promoted to the starting side. The 19-year-old made 106 metres from eight runs, had six tackle breaks and made 13 tackles in another powerful display.

Half-time: With 55 per cent of possession the Jillaroos capitalised to run in five tries to nil, including a double to Jess Sergis who ran for 109 metres and broke four tackles. Fellow winger Julia Robinson racked up 112 run metres and also grabbed a four-pointer.

34 min: A mistake by Ali Brigginshaw from the kick-off hands Samoa a late chance at points but the Jillaroos hold firm to take a 26-point lead to the sheds.

32 min: Jesse Southwell goes to the left and picks up Isabelle Kelly who draws the winger and puts Julia Robinson away for her 19th try in 11 Test matches. Southwell drags the conversion to the left. Jillaroos 26-0.

29 min: Taliah Fuimaono grubbers into the in goal and Tiana Penitani Gray cleans up. The Jillaroos go with a short dropout and get the ball back.

28 min: Jesse Southwell chips for the corner for Jess Sergis to chase, the winger gets the first touch and is unable to regrip the ball before it hits the deck.

23 min: Quincy Dodd puts a perfectly weighted grubber for Olivia Kernick to chase and collect and score despite having two defenders trying to deny her. Jesse Southwell adds the extras. Jillaroos 22-0.

20 min: Jesse Southwell's kick is charged down, the ball bounces to Ali Brigginshaw who picks up Tamika Upton and the fullback races 40 metres to dot down for her 10th try in her past five Tests. Jesse Southwell converts. Jillaroos 16-0.

18 min: Keeley Davis tries to go fast out of dummy half but fails to pick the  ball up properly and knocks it on.

16 min: Samoa winger Jessica Patea leaves the field with a shoulder injury.

16 min: Some good ball movement from Samoa to the left edge but the Jillaroos slide well to shut down Lindsay Tui and the ball is turned over.

14 min: Destiny Mino-Sinapati is sent to the sin bin for a professional foul to leave Samoa down a player for the next 10 minutes.

12 min: More ball in attacking position for the Jillaroos but Tamika Upton spills a tough pass and Samoa come away.

9 min: An early double for Jess Sergis after Jesse Southwell puts Kezie Apps into a gap and the skipper sends a perfectly timed pass to Sergis who races 40 metres to touch down. Southwell converts. Jillaroos 10-0.

7 min: Tamika Upton goes in to first receiver and throws a pinpoint cutout pass for Jess Sergis to cross for the opening try. Jesse Southwell misses her first conversion attempt on Test debut. Jillaroos 4-0.

6 min: Jessica Patea comes in off the wing to take first run off the ruck but the pass from Taliah Fuimaono is high and the ball is lost.

Late Mail

Jillaroos: The Jillaroos will line up 1-17 as named. Halfback Jesse Southwell and props Rima Butler and Ellie Johnston make their Test debuts. Co-captain Kezie Apps moves to her more favoured second-row position, while Olivia Kernick takes over at lock with Simaima Taufa out of the squad with injury. Sarah Togatuki is 18th player.

Fetu Samoa: Powerhouse back-rower Shalom Sauaso has been added to the starting side and hour before kick-off with Pihuka Berryman-Duff reverting to the bench. A new-look backline with Jetaya Faifua moving from fullback to halfback to take over from Pauline Piliae-Rasabale, who is out injured. Titans young gun Destiny Mino-Sinapati slides to fullback and Mercedez Taulelei-Siala comes in on the wing for her fourth Test appearance. Simone Karpani is again the 18th player.

Numbers Game

• Jillaroos co-captain Kezie Apps will make her 20th Test appearance.
• Fetu Samoa’s team has an average age of just 21.
• The Jillaroos have won 18 of their last 19 Test matches.
• Fetu Samoa winger Jessica Patea has scored four tries in four Test appearances.
• The Jillaroos have won both Tests against Fetu Samoa (40-12 in 2003 and 42-14 in 2011.