Alafoti Fa’osiliva and Reupena Levasa scored second half tries as inaugural Pacific Rugby Cup champions Savai’i Samoa overturned a half-time deficit to beat Fiji Barbarians 17-13 at Apia Park on Friday.

Fiji Barbarians had led 6-0 at the interval after two penalties from their fly half Amani Bosenawai, the first in the 18th minute following the sin-binning of Savai’i Samoa centre Junior Leota and the second just past the half hour mark.

The match, played in temperatures of 32 degrees Celsius and beneath clear skies before a crowd of 1,000 in the Samoan capital, remained tight with Fiji Barbarians ending the first half with 14 men after prop Isikeli Gavidi was sent to the sin-bin by referee Eva Mafi.

However it took Savai’i Samoa until the 51st minute to give the home fans some points to cheer when number 8 Alafoti Fa’osiliva, who has caught the eye for Samoa on the IRB Sevens World Series this season, touched down for a try converted by fly half Ki Anufe.

Fiji Barbarians then lost wing Vima Tuidraki to the sin bin with Anufe kicking the resultant penalty to edge Savai’i Samoa out to 10-6, and minutes later he was joined by his team-mate, hooker Aseri Buli on the sidelines following another yellow card.

Savai’i Samoa though couldn’t capitalise on their two-man advantage for a couple of minutes and it was Tuidraki who quickly atoned for his yellow card with a try within minutes of his return to edge the Barbarians back into a 13-10 lead.

There was to be no victory to return to Fijian shores with though as in injury time Reupena Levasa delighted the home crowd by scoring Savai’i Samoa’s winning try, which Anufe converted to give the 2006 champions a narrow 17-13 victory.

Savai’i Samoa: 1. Hiro Tea 2. Loleni Tafunai (16. Lafoga Aoelua) 3. Egelani Fale (17. Poutoa Iosi) 4. Luti Pese (18. Tim Nelson) 5. Keneti Tofilau 6. Ponifasio Vasa (Captain) 7. Solomona Aimaasu (19. Tele Ese) 8. Alafoti Fa’osiliva 9. Alatasi Tupou (21. Karl Siemson) 10. Ki Anufe 11. Tupu Ulufale (20. Gafa Siona) 12. Junior Leota 13. Reupena Levasa 14. Esere Lauina 15. Tauvaga Fa’afou.

Replacements not used: 22. Fanuafou Tofi.

Yellow card: Junior Leota 17

Fiji Barbarians: 1. Sakeo Latianara 2. Aseri Buli (19. Josefa Nagatalevu) 3. Isikeli Gavidi (18. Joeli Lutumailagi) 4. Kolinio Vasuilagi 5. Mosese Fatiaki 6. Mitieli Cama 7. Aminiasi Nava 8. Samuela Bola 9. Kelemedi Bola (Captain) (20. Nemia Kenatale) 10. Amani Bosenawai (21. Jimi Mule) 11. Vima Tuidraki 12. Ravai Fatiaki 13. Tikiko Uluviti 14. Alusio Buto 15. Isemeli Koniferedi.

Replacements not used: 16. Eseroma Cakacaka 17. Setefano Somoca 22. Ropate Ratu.

Yellow cards: Isikeli Gavidi 43, Yima Tuidraki 54, Aseri Buli 61