13 Jun 2018

Sport: 'no excuses' from Manu Samoa for loss

10:47 am on 13 June 2018

Poor execution led to Manu Samoa's two point loss to Fiji in the opening game of the Pacific Nations Cup, the assistant coach says.

Manu Samoa sing the anthem before their test against Scotland at the weekend.

Manu Samoa sing the anthem before their test against Scotland at the weekend. Photo: AFP

The Manu came back from a 17-3 half time deficit lose 24-22 in Suva

Zane Hilton said with rugby World Cup qualification coming up for Samoa the time for excuses was over.

"We really understand that the country, like the team itself, we want to start to get that winning culture back," Hilton said.

"So the reality is we were extremely disappointed around our execution and the fact we let ourselves down in some key areas."

"Whilst we've only been together for four days there's no excuses within this group. If we want to qualify for the World Cup in the next month and go through to have a successful World Cup we can't really let short preparations get in our way."

Fiji were reduced to 14 men for almost half of the match, losing three players to the sinbin. But still the Manu were unable to fully capitalise.

Zane Hilton

Zane Hilton Photo: Manu Samoa / Facebook

"Whilst you've got an advantage sometimes the opposition get up emotionally. That can actually galvanise a team," Hilton said.

"For us its about the awareness of what it is we need to do when we do have a numerical advantage," he said.

"Credit to Fiji they were outstanding with 14 men for that period of time and we just couldn't capitalise unfortunately for our own mistakes."

In a statement, Manu head coach Fuimaono Titimaea Tafua thanked Samoan supporters in Suva.

He said despite the loss to a very physical Fijian side, the team had identified areas that they needed to work on for the game against Tonga.

"We are obviously disappointed with the result but happy with the performance by our team especially moving forward towards the two Rugby World Cup Qualifying games," Fuimaono said.

The coach noted that Logovii Mulipola had a hamstring tear and would rest for one to two weeks. Rey Lee-Lo and Rodney Iona suffered headknocks a and were awaiting further testings for clearance, he said.

Manu Samoa face Tonga in the second round of the tournament on Saturday in Suva before Fiji take on Georgia.

Georgia pipped Tonga 16-15 in the other first round match making Saturday's clash between the Lelos and the Flying Fijians a winner-takes all decider.