9 Jul 2011

Sport: Samoa expecting Fiji to bounce back at Pacific Nations rugby Cup

7:27 am on 9 July 2011

Despite a heavy defeat last week Samoa are refusing to write off Fiji ahead of this afternoons Pacific Nations Cup clash in Suva.

The Flying Fijians were humbled 45-21 by Tonga in Lautoka while Manu Samoa comfortably beat Japan in Tokyo.

Fiji coach Samu Domoni has made eight changes to his starting fifteen while his Samoan counterpart Fuimaono Tafua has kept just three players who started against Japan.

Fuimaono Tafua says it's important to give his full squad an opportunity to impress before he names his rugby world cup squad, and he's sure Fiji's players will be equally determined to put in an improved showing.

"We know Fijians is one of the good teams, you know, and because Tonga they're doing alright and the Fijians they had a lot of mistakes from last weeks game so maybe they've been fixing it, so Fijians is still a good team."

Fuimaono Tafua says while the world cup is in the back of their minds the team is determined to defend their PNC title.