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Pacific Championships 2023: New Zealand Kiwis win 50-0 over Toa Samoa, Joey Manu loses jersey

Samoa got in the Kiwis faces before kick-off, but it turns out that was the closest they’d get to New Zealand, who ran away with a record breaking win.

New Zealand and Samoan players came nose to nose before kick-off. In the end it was as close as Samoa would get to the Kiwis who ran away 50-0 winners.

The two nations were involved in a highly emotive pre-game ceremony where they took part in their respective siva tau and haka war dances. The likes of Nelson Asofa-Solmona and Spencer Leinu came together which threatened to ignite the match.

Unfortunately for Samoa, who rose to prominence to make last year’s World Cup final, the threat of New Zealand’s supremacy never eventuated with the Samoan side never threatening the Kiwis in the nine try romp.

NRL Pacific Championship New Zealand vs Samoa. Picture: NRL Imagery
NRL Pacific Championship New Zealand vs Samoa. Picture: NRL Imagery

The Kiwis big men including new skipper James Fisher-Harris, Moses Leota and Joseph Tapine out-gunned a weakened Samoan side in what was the first time the two nations have met since 2017.

Kieran Foran also impressed in his first appearance for the Kiwis at dummy half.

The NRL’s leading point-scorer Jamayne Isaako finished with a 22-point haul including two tries. While fellow winger Ronaldo Mulitalo scored twice with Kiwi teammates Fisher-Harris, Asofa-Solomona, Briton Nikora Jahrome Hughes, Isaiah Papali’i, also crossing.

It was a record breaking win for the Kiwis having beaten Samoa by 44 points in 2010.

NRL Pacific Championship New Zealand vs Samoa. Picture: NRL Imagery
NRL Pacific Championship New Zealand vs Samoa. Picture: NRL Imagery

New Zealand’s win has set up back to back matches against the Kangaroos with the nation’s now certain qualifiers for the inaugural Pacific Championships final on November 4 in Hamilton. But first they will square off on Saturday night in Melbourne after Australia beat Samoa 38-12 in the tournament opener.

CHARNZE RED HOT

Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad enjoyed a career revival with the Warriors this year. He continued that good form with the Kiwis as he played his first Test match since 2019. After withstanding a strong start Samoa, the Kiwis scored the opening points of the game after Nicoll-Klokstad laid on a floating cut-out pass for Isaako to cross after minutes.

New Zealand led 18-0 at half-time.

Joey Manu stole the show, after his jersey was torn late in the first half. Picture: NRL Imagery
Joey Manu stole the show, after his jersey was torn late in the first half. Picture: NRL Imagery
Manu took multiple hit ups without a jersey before eventually getting a replacement. Picture: Getty Images
Manu took multiple hit ups without a jersey before eventually getting a replacement. Picture: Getty Images

UNHAPPY NIGHT

Everything Stephen Crichton seemingly touches on the field has turned to gold in recent years. But not on Saturday night. The Bulldogs bound superstar struggled in the no.6 jersey – kicking twice out on the full in general plus another from a line drop out. It was hard for either of Samoan’s playmakers to get into the game with their forwards on the back foot, but Crichton will look far more comfortable next season in the No.1 jersey or back at centre for his new club.

The Kiwis bungled their rotation early, with a pre-match swap for Kieran Foran at hooker costing them interchange before the game even started. Picture: Getty Images
The Kiwis bungled their rotation early, with a pre-match swap for Kieran Foran at hooker costing them interchange before the game even started. Picture: Getty Images

INTERCHANGE BUNGLE

Foran played an unbroken 58 minutes in his first Test at hooker. But it came with controversy – not of his own doing.

The Kiwis had named Fa’amanu Brown to start at hooker but ran out with Foran at dummy half. The error with the team sheet cost the Kiwis an interchange.

Regardless, Foran was outstanding in his new position.

The hooking role was probably the most contentious for the Kiwis given a host of players were unavailable however, Foran, at 33, showed he would be more than capable as a fill-in throughout the tournament, making 17 tackles.

FIJI READY TO UNLEASH THE TWO HOTTEST ROOKIES IN THE NRL

Tyson Jackson

One has a wooden spoon and a brand new four-year contract, the other owns a premiership ring and is about to enter the final year of his deal.

But both Jahream Bula and Sunia Turuva will look to lead Fiji when they make their first appearance of the Pacific Bowl against the Cook Islands on Sunday.

Bula and Turuva were two of the hottest rookies to enter the NRL this year, with Turuva just edging out Bula in the race for prestigious rookie of the year crown.

The pair entered this year’s competition as relatively unknowns, now all eyes will be on both when they face off against the Kukis in Port Moresby.

Bula capped off a dream first year for the Wests Tigers, which included taking out the club’s best and fairest award, with a monster deal that ties him down until the end of 2027.

While there has been plenty of unrest among the top brass at Concord, the 21-year-old insists he had no interest at looking to leave the club.

Penrith winger Sunia Turuva and Wests Tigers fullback Jahream Bula. Picture: Roan Paul/NRL Imagery
Penrith winger Sunia Turuva and Wests Tigers fullback Jahream Bula. Picture: Roan Paul/NRL Imagery

“I wasn’t talking to any other clubs,” Bula said.

“I’m not even sure if I got interest from other clubs. I just wanted to stay at the Tigers and hopefully build something special there.”

Now the electric fullback shapes as a key cog as the club embarks on a new era under the club’s favourite son and new coach in Benji Marshall.

The 2005 premiership-winner was pivotal in Bula’s decision.

“Benji and I have had a lot of chats. Me and him gel very well and is probably one of the main reasons I wanted to stay there,” he said.

“The boys especially have made me feel like it’s the right choice.

“We have a great group and a good bond. Even though we didn’t do too well this year, everyone’s spirits were still so high.

“So I’m really excited to be with the boys again next year.”

Bula’s season may have finished prematurely but the young star has kept busy in his off season making his presence felt at the Koori Knockout before his international duties.

Bula completed a lifelong dream when he played alongside his father Peter.

Bula was a rare bright spot for the Tigers this season. Picture: Michael Bradley/Getty Images
Bula was a rare bright spot for the Tigers this season. Picture: Michael Bradley/Getty Images

“Me and my dad have been talking about playing on the field together for a while and it finally happened, it was a very special moment,” he said.

“Everyone was saying he was playing better than me.”

Turuva is also coming off a dream rookie campaign, including a premiership ring as part of Penrith’s remarkable grand final triumph to go with his Dally M gong.

However he joined Fijian camp with just 12 months remaining on his current deal as the Panthers continue to struggle to keep their dynasty intact.

“We haven’t started talks yet but the plan is to definitely stay in Penrith cause that’s home,” he said.

Having spent most of the year on the wing, Turuva will look to display his versatility for Fiji after being forced to the centres by his countryman in Bula.

It’s a move the 21-year-old may also need to make when he returns for his second full year in Penrith, with forgotten winger Taylan May on track to return from injury.

Turuva won the 2023 Rookie of the Year award. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images
Turuva won the 2023 Rookie of the Year award. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

“I’m just doing what’s best for the team,” Turuva said of his positional shift with Fiji.

“I’m just playing my part in the team, and I have learnt from the two best centres in the game out at Penrith with Critta (Stephen Crichton) and Tago (Izack), so I've got a lot of confidence.”

With a massive pre-season only weeks away for the two, the pair have their sights set on making sure Fiji have a successful campaign at the Pacific Cup.

“We want to get the best result for Fiji … for us in this squad, to win this Pacific Championship would be pretty massive,” he said.

Bula makes his international debut despite being eligible for New Zealand and Samoa.

“This camp has made it really hard to play for any other country, especially seeing how well connected the boys are here,” he said.

“I’m really enjoying my time here and would have to think about it. My grandpa is Fijian and he is getting old so I really want to play for Fiji before he passes.”

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/pacific-championships-2023-sunia-turuva-and-jahream-bula-to-play-for-fiji-together-for-the-first-time/news-story/4711c80fcf31378d45a91f975f4fd51e