KINGS OF SOUTH PACIFIC RUGBY

Fiji will be on blue alert on Saturday afternoon as the Flying Fijians brace themselves for a Samoan blitz during round 4 of the ANZ Pacific Nations Cup. At stake the bragging rights to the title - kings of South Pacific rugby.

On recent form it’s a mantle that’s been worn ever so tenuously by hosts Fiji after their magnificent showing at the 2007 Rugby World Cup, followed up by a resounding 34-17 thumping of their South Pacific Island neighbours at Churchill Park last year.

Had Fiji not gone on to inexplicably lose to Tonga in Nukualofa later in the year the mantle of kings of the South Pacific would have fit a good deal better than it currently does.

I wouldn’t think of ourselves as kings all we’re trying to do is take one game at a time and to beat Samoa regardless of where we’re playing is always going to be a tough call, said Ilivasi Tabua, the Flying Fijians coach.

The statistics will tell you that Fiji has the upper hand by 26 to 15 in games won (with 3 drawn) in all contests played between the two sides dating back to Fiji’s 6-nil triumph at Apia Park on 17 August, 1924. However, the fact is Samoa never really took the game seriously until after the first World Cup in 1987. Since then its Samoa who has had the upper hand against Fiji, winning 13 with 10 losses and one match drawn.

But despite the statistics Tabua remains focused on the job in hand:

We can’t get carried away with stats all we can do is focus on the game in hand, there’s no doubt the Samoans will fancy their chances on Saturday particularly after their magnificent performance against that JABs (Junior All Blacks) so we’ve got to knuckle down and get down to business.

And business is what the Samoans are all about, led superbly by sensational number eight George Stowers.

It’s going to be tough, but we’re here to win and we have a talented side and I have every confidence in them to do the job on Saturday, said the no nonsense Samoan skipper.

So will Fiji claim the title of kings of South Pacific rugby or will Samoa show that their island neighbors were just mere pretenders to the throne they claim as being rightfully theirs? All will be revealed on Saturday afternoon, once the Churchill Park dust has settled.

The starting teams are:

Fiji: 1 Graham Dewes, 2 Sunia Koto, 3 Viliame Seuseu, 4 Josefa Domolailai, 5 Kele Leawere (c), 6 Semisi Naevo, 7 Malakai Volau, 8 Netani Talei, 9 Jone Daunivucu, 10 Waisea Luveniyali (v/c), 11 Iliesa Keresoni, 12 Seremaia Bai, 13 Ilikena Bolakoro, 14 Ropate Ratu, 15 Dan Rawaqa. Reserves: Sireli Ledua, Alefoso Yalayalatabua, Leone Nakarawa, Anthony Wise, Nemia Kenatale, Ravai Fatiaki, Vereniki Goneva.

Samoa: 1. Fosi Palaamo 2. Mahonri Schwalger 3. Census Johnston 4. Filipo Levi 5. Joe Tekori 6. Daniel Leo 7. William Brame 8. George Stowers (C) 9. Junior Poluleuligaga 10. Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu 11. Sailosi Tagicakibau 12. Seilala Maposua 13. Gavin Williams 14. Henry Fa’afili 15. Lolo Lui 16. Andrew Williams 17. Justin Va’a 18. Jonathon Fa’amatuainu 19. Ofisa Treviranus 20. Notise Tauafao 21. Uale Mai 22. Esera Lauina.