Easy Pisi for Samoa

Samoa celebrate Kahn Fotuali'i's try

Samoa kept alive their quarter-final hopes as they overcame Fiji 27-7 at Eden Park.

Samoa will now need to beat South Africa in their final pool match - or hope Fiji can do them a favour against Wales - if they are to reach the last eight.

And Samoa have the boot of Tusi Pisi to thank as they finally overcame their South Sea rivals after a bruising encounter.

Pisi landed four penalties and a drop goal to put Samoa into a comfortable 15-0 lead before late tries from Kahn Fotuali'i and George Stowers made the game safe. Paul Williams also added a late penalty.

Fiji were made to pay for a lacklustre opening half-hour to the match as they struggled to get going. They finally scored a consolation try through Netani Talei, converted by Waisea Luveniyali, but it was too little too late.

A bright start from Samoa was rewarded with three points from Pisi, while Sailosi Tagicakibau was denied by a try-saving tackle from Napolioni Nalaga - with the TMO ruling the London Irish winger had been held up over the line.

Pisi, though, extended the lead to 6-0 with a simple kick from in front of the sticks on nine minutes, while the fly-half added a coolly taken drop goal.

Samoa were denied again by the TMO when Alesana Tuilagi almost made Nemia Kenatale pay for being slow in grounding the ball from the Leicester man's chip ahead.

Enterprising

Despite dominating the possession and territory, Samoa had to settle for another penalty from Pisi to extend their advantage on 26 minutes.

Fiji had their first chance at points on the half-hour but Seremaia Bai was off-target with his penalty attempt.

Having almost appeared to have punched themselves out as the first half came to a close, Samoa came out revived after the break and moved 15-0 clear through the boot of Pisi.

But some good enterprising play saw Fiji enjoy their best spell of the match as they hammered away at the Samoa line.

And having been the star for Samoa with the boot, Pisi then produced a superb cover tackle after Nalaga had broken free down the blindside.

Pisi, though, was off target with a penalty and a drop goal as he attempted to kick the life out of Fiji.

However Samoa finally breached the Fijian defence when Fotuali'i showed superb determination to squeeze over. Samoa turned over a scrum in the Fiji 22 and although the first wave of attack was stopped, Fotuali'i scooped up the ball and rolled off a couple of tackles to stretch over.

With both sides tiring, Fiji were finally able to respond as Talei was rewarded for his work-rate with a try after a 10-phase spell.

There was no hope of a Fiji comeback, though, as a brilliant break from Williams was finished off with a swallow dive from Stowers in the corner. Williams converted.

Fiji had chances at the death - with Rupeni Nasiga denied by the TMO in injury time for a double movement.