'...I've got the fluffiest hair mate...'
Fiji 34-17 Samoa
NZ Maori 20-9 Tonga
Japan 21-42 Australia A
Fiji 7-11 NZ Maori
Samoa 15-20 Australia A
Japan 35-13 Tonga
New Zeland Maori and Australia A occupy the top two spots in the Pacific Nations Cup, highlighting the strength in depth of the southern hemisphere giants with World Cup veterans, Morgan Turinui, Piri Weepu and Mark Gerrard in their squads.
Australia A kicked off by scoring six tries against a stubborn Japanese side, including a brace for Peter Kimlin while Mark Gerrard claimed a 17 point haul in the win. Captain Morgan Turinui has impressed and made it two tries in two as the strong second string Wallabies held out in wet and sticky conditions against a strong Samoan side in Apia.
Fiji missed out on a first victory over Maori since 1951 after Jason Eaton's second half try sealed an edgy victory over a plucky South Sea Islanders. Sireli Naqelevuki has sensational considering the dire conditions, but the Fijians class showed by trouncing Samoa with debutant Timoci Nagusa scored two tries.
NZ Maori outmuscled a Tongan tank, who are starring down the barrel of a winless tournament. Piri Weepu's late try ended any hopes of an upset, while Tonga were then stunned by Japan, who are clearly making giant strides under John Kirwan.
James Arlidge's boot and four excellent tries, including one each for Hirotoki Onozawa and Takashi Kikutani saw the Cherry Blossoms score their first victory of the tournament.