Oceania Sevens - Samoa belt Tonga to claim title
Too big and too strong today. photo Zoomfiji
Uale Mai leads the Siva Tau in victory. photo Zoomfiji
Samoa were ruthless in disposing of Tonga 52-0 in the final of the 2008 Oceania Sevens this afternoon in Apia. For the past 2 days they have been in a serious manner and have swiftly dealt with anyone that has come across their path.
Ruling supreme in the air so many times the Samoan's snared their own kick offs back, they ran with purpose and astounded the home crowd with the pure power of their game. This power is so evident that they can even accelerate into the tackle, they reek confidence with the ball in hand and back this up with ferocious hunting in any ruck and maul to be had.
The took just 30 seconds to score the opening try of the final through Ofisa Treviranus giving the hosts an early 7-0 lead.
Alatasi Tupou scored the next two tries with some deft running and Samoa were in control at 21-0. Alafoti Faosiliva crossed on half time to give the Samoans a commanding 26-0 lead.
Samoa started the second half in the same manner they finished the first, with Ofisa Treviranus touching down early to give Samoa a 31-0 lead.
Alafoti Faosiliva joined the try-scoring feast along with Afa Aiono and finally David Lemi to give Samoa a 52-0 victory and the 2008 Oceania Cup Sevens Title.
The play-off for 3rd place between Cook Islands and Niue was a thriller and despite conceding the first try of the match, Niue stunned their more fancied opponents to score the next two to take a 10-7 lead into the break.
A try to William Marsters early in the second half gave the lead back to the Cook Islands which was backed up quickly by Nathan Robinson for his second to give Cook Islands a 28-10 lead.
Niue scored a late try through Matthew Faleuka but the Cooks responded with a try to Ione Ione to give them a 33 to 15 victory and third spot in the 2008 Oceania Sevens.
In the end the title belongs to Samoa, they have made a statement here with precision and brute strength blended with a calmness and correct decision making. They are on top of Oceania and have their sights firmly set on toppling the world next year in Dubai.