18 Mar 2015

Sport: Fiji Warriors expect tough encounter v Samoa

12:50 pm on 18 March 2015

The Fiji Warriors are looking forward to a good old-fashioned arm-wrestle in their decisive pool match against Samoa A in the World Rugby Pacific Challenge.

The Samoans are unbeaten after two rounds in Suva while Fiji bounced back from an opening defeat to Argentina by thrashing Junior Japan 83-0.

Needing a win to top their pool and advance to the final, Fiji Warriors assistant coach Apakuki Vacala says they're expecting another classic encounter against their Pacific neighbours.

"There's always a rivalry between the two islands. Their set pieces are good and we will be working on our set pieces - our lineout and our key core [roles]. We will match them in all departments and we're just going to go play for play, and see who comes out the best, and hope that Fiji's going to make it. We just [need to be] very aggressive at the ruck and very aggressive at the ball".

Samoa must win against Fiji and hope Argentina slip up against Canada A if they're to finish top of Pool A.

Meanwhile Tonga A and Junior Japan complete the fixture list on Wednesday, with both teams searching for their first win.