By Richard Cowley, Updated: 3/5/14
Pacific powers are set to collide when Fiji and Samoa face off in the 2014 Pacific Rugby League International. The two Pacific Nations will be looking to secure their place in the 2014 Rugby League Four Nations. The match is locked in for Saturday the 3rd of May at Penrith Stadium, Australia.
During the 2013 Rugby League World Cup Fiji and Samoa met in the Quarter Finals of the tournament in what was a bone crunching international. Fiji ruled the Pacific that day getting over Samoa 22 – 4. It’s now 2014 and both Samoa and Fiji will be looking to book their maiden Four Nations birth.
The Fiji Bati will be out to prove they made it through to their 2nd Rugby League World Cup Semi Final (2008, 2013) for a reason. With confusion early on over how the 4th Nation would qualify, Fiji thought they had already secured a place in the Four Nations. But after clarification from the Rugby League International Federation Fiji will have to get home against Samoa one more time before they earn another shot at England and Australia.
Toa Samoa were outclassed by Tonga in last years Pacific International. Samoa made it to the Quarter Finals of the 2013 RLWC but ran into a red hot Bati on the day. Samoa have the talent to win this match and could easliy shock the Bati with their big forwards.
With a crowd of over 10,000 present for the Pacific International between Samoa and Tonga in April last year, the 2014 event is set to be the biggest to date at Centrebet Stadium.
So if you can’t make it to the State of Origin this year, this match is the next best thing. Make sure you prepare yourself for loads of Pacific Passion and a match that is sure to take rugby league entertainment to new levels.
Fox Sports in Australia will show the test live on TV on Saturday night at 7.30pm AEST. In New Zealand the game will be shown on Sky Sports 3 at 9.30pm.
Tickets to the 2014 Pacific International between Fiji and Samoa are on sale and available here
Game Day Schedule Saturday 3rd May, 2014 Centrebet Stadium, Penrith:
Gates Open: 12:30pm
Panthers v Warriors: 1:00pm
NSW Cup: Bulldogs v Norths: 3:15pm
U20s Origin: NSW v QLD: 5:30pm
Fiji v Samoa – 7.35pm AEST
2013 Pacific International – Fiji v Samoa teams
Fiji Bati Squad
1. Kevin Naiqama (Penrith Panthers)
2. Marika Koroibete (Wests Tigers)
3. Semi Radradra (Parramatta Eels)
4. Lote Tuqiri (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
5. Eto Nabuli (Penrith Panthers)
6. Alipate Tani (Cutters)
7 Aaron Groom (Asquith)
8. Ashton Sims (c) (North Queensland Cowboys)
9. James Storer (Illawarra)
10. Kane Evans (Sydney Roosters)
11. Vitale Jr Roqica (Cronulla Sharks)
12. Peni Botiki (Cutters)
13. Korbin Sims (Newcastle Knights)
Interchange
14. Waqa Blake (Penrith Panthers)
15. Reagan Campbell-Gillard (Penrith Panthers)
16. Osea Sadrau (Fiji)
17. Atunaisa Turagaiviu (Fiji)
Toa Samoa Squad
1. Peter Mata’utia (St George Illawarra)
2. Daniel Vidot (Brisbane)
3. Ricky Leutele (Cronulla)
4. Krisnan Inu (Canterbury)
5. Young Tonumaipea (Melbourne Storm)
6. Reni Maitua (Canterbury)
7. Penani Manumaleali’i (Cronulla)
8. Sam Tagataese (Cronulla)
9. Michael Sio (Warriors)
10. David Fa’alogo (Newcastle)
11. Leeson Ah Mau (St George Illawarra)
12. Dominique Peyroux (Warriors)
13. Isaac Liu (Sydney Roosters)
Interchange
14. Junior Paulo (Parramatta)
15. Dunamis Lui (Manly)
16. Jesse Sene-Lefao (Manly)
17. Suaia Matagi (Warriors)
