Junior All Blacks, Samoa win in Pac Nations Cup

The Junior All Blacks remained unbeaten in rugby's Pacific Nations Cup when they scored seven tries to trounce hosts Fiji 45-17 in Lautoka on Thursday.
After scraping to a 17-16 win over Samoa on Saturday, the New Zealanders found improved pattern and combination to overrun Fiji, who were regarded as their strongest challenger for the Pacific Nations title.
Former All Blacks winger Hosea Gear scored three tries _ two in the second half _ as New Zealand's second-string squad seized control of the match, building on a 24-7 halftime lead.
Earlier, Samoa shrugged off its home loss to the New Zealand side to beat Japan 34-15 for its first win in this year's tournament. Samoa rallied after trailing 15-12 midway through the second half to score four late tries.
The Junior All Blacks verified their championship favoritism with a performance which mixed power and flair. An outstanding forward performance laid the platform for the win and created opportunities for the Juniors' talented backline.
Gear, fellow All Black Anthony Tuitavaki and Super 14 stars Tamati Ellison and Rene Ranger scored tries as the New Zealand backs took full advantage of a steady supply of possession. The Juniors' pace, combination and handling skills were too much for Fiji, which fought hard throughout the match and were rewarded with three tries.
Scrumhalf Iliesa Kerasoni scored Fiji's only first-half try but Nemia Kenatale and Sakiusa Matadigo crossed in the second half to reward a steady effort by the home team.
Gear, Ellison, lock Tom Donnelly and Tuitavake scored in the first half for the New Zealanderes while Gear's second and third tries and others to Ellison and Ranger inflated the margin.
Samoa relied on forward power to build a 12-3 halftime lead over Japan. A try to prop Justin Va'a and a penalty try when Japan illegally disrupted a drive toward the tryline gave the Samoans a first-half lead, almost against the run of play.
Japan took the lead with second half tries to Jack Tarrant and Hirotoki Onozawa before the Samoans rallied.
Winger Sailosi Tagicakibau first reclaimed the lead for Samoa, then tries to hooker Mahonri Schwalger and replacements Esera Lauina and Semo Sititi made for a comprehensive win.
Samoa plays Tonga and the Junior All Blacks play Japan in the next round on Tuesday.
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Scores:
Junior All Blacks 45 (Hosea Gear 3, Tom Donnelly, Tamati Ellison, Anthony Tuitavake, Rene Ranger tries; Stephen Brett 4 conversions; Colin Slade conversion), Fiji 17 (Nemia Kenatale, Sakiusa Matadigo, Iliesa Kerasoni tries; Alipate Tani conversion). HT: 24-7.
Samoa 34 (Justin Va'a, Sailosi Tagicakibau, Mahonri Schwalger, Esera Lauina, Semo Sititi tries, penalty try; Gavin Williams 2 conversions), Japan 15 (Jack Tarrant, Hirotoki Onozawa tries; Ryan Nicholas conversion, penalty).

source: http://www.etaiwannews.com