Samoa 4 Fiji 22: Fiji ensure reprise of 2008 last-four line-up

Fiji's Vitale Junior Roqica celebrates his try against Samoa

The Fijiians’ victory at Warrington yesterday is also expected to earn them a place in the 2014 Four Nations Series Down Under.

Yesterday’s result sets up a repeat of the 2008 semi-finals, in which New Zealand beat England 32-22 in Brisbane and the Kangaroos demolished Fiji 52-0 in Sydney.

The Fijiians lost 34-2 to the Australians in St Helens earlier this month and are unlikely to improve enough to topple the tournament favourites, but Wembley will at least provide a fitting venue for popular captain Petero Civoniceva to bow out of rugby league.

The 37-year-old former Brisbane Broncos prop, who is still Australia’s most-capped forward, delayed his retirement in order to lead his country in the World Cup and once more led from the front.

Samoa, who looked a rabble when thrashed by England Knights a month earlier, had improved immensely throughout their earlier gamies in the tournament, but they were disappointing from the start against Fiji.

So full of fight in their win over France, the Samoans were subdued and disorganised for the most part and impressive full-back Anthony Milford was never able to get into the game.

Fiji, on the other hand were superbly marshalled by man of the match Aaron Groom and had a host of match-winners in a star-studded threequarter line.

Winger Akuila Uate, who began the tournament with a hat-trick of tries against Ireland, showed a willingness for work and created the game’s first try with a trademark surge.

Groom was in support to finish off Uate’s break, but Fiji had to wait until eight minutes before half-time for their second try. Centre Wes Naiqama timed his run to perfection to gather Groom’s grubber kick on the last tackle.

Naiqama converted both tries and also kicked a penalty as the Fijiians led 14-0 at the break.

Uate and his fellow winger Marika Koroibete continued to cause a threat in the second half, but Samoa hung on and gave themselves hope with a 58th-minute try from Antonio Winterstein.

Milford failed with the conversion, though, and Naiqama extended his side’s lead with a 70th-minute penalty after Tim Lafai’s high tackle on Jayson Bukuya sparked a bust-up.

The Fijiians topped off their win with a third try just before the end when hooker Apisai Koroisau offloaded to fellow substitute Vitale Roqica for him to touch down and Naiqama kicked his fifth goal from as many attempts.

Samoa: Milford, Winterstein, Lafai, Leilua, Vidot, Manumeasili, Roberts, Fa’alogo, Sio, Matagi, Soliola, Puletua, Sue. Substitutes: Godinet, Moors, Taufua, Masoe.

Fiji: K Naiqama, Koroibete, Waqa, W Naiqama, Uate, D. Millard, Groom, A. Sims, Storer, Civoniceva, T. Sims, Bukuya, Vunakece. Substitutes: Koroisau, Roqica, Evans, Waqavatu.

Referee: R Silverwood (England).