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Watch: Super Rugby duo score twice as Manu Samoa put 66 on Hong Kong China
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Super Rugby Pacific duo Miracle Faiilagi and Tuna Tuitama have helped Manu Samoa smash Hong Kong China in the World Rugby Nations Cup.
The second game of the Nations Cup in 2026 was hosted at Estadio Nacional in Santiago, where Lemalu Tusi Pisi’s side secured a convincing 66-19 victory over Hong Kong China.
Hong Kong China, coached by Logan Asplin, will play at their first Rugby World Cup in 2027, where they are in Pool A with New Zealand, host nation Australia, and Chile.
Samoa’s squad was boosted by Faiilagi in the loose-forwards, and one-Test All Black and former Hurricanes midfielder Peter Umaga- Jensen, who started alongside Duncan Paia’aua.
Despite Failagi and Tuitama being part of a Moana Pasifika squad that has dispersed after being put into liquidation last month, it hasn’t stopped them from competing on the World stage.
Tuitama’s first and only try of the contest was a scintillating move by Tusi Pisi’s side, after a superb line break in midfield by Iakopo Mapu.
The barnstorming No.8 broke a number of tackles before Samoa launched the attack to the right-hand side. AJ Alatimu, who had 21 points in the game, summed up the situation brilliantly, finding an arm free to send Tuitama in under the posts.
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Arguably the pick of the bunch was an individual masterpiece by Warren Solomona in the 19th minute, launching a counter-attack from inside his own half.
The Samoan SVNS star weighed up his options, backed himself, beating four or five Hong Kong China defenders in midfield. With only one to beat, Solomona stepped off his left foot and danced his way under the posts to give Samoa a bonus point within 20 minutes of the game kicking off.
New Zealand-born Gloucester hooker Manaaki Boyle-Tiatia also dotted down for a five-pointer in the first 40 minutes in Santiago, on the back of a lineout drive.
It was a well worked move in the 31st minute, and showed Samoa’s utter dominance at set-piece time during the contest.
In round two of the round-robin format, Samoa will take on Georgia at the Estadio Sausalito, Vina del Mar, next Sunday, July 12, at 7am NZT. Georgia will take confidence into the matchup against Samoa, having beaten Uruguay, 41-34, earlier in round one.
Hong Kong China will face Chile at the same stadium in Vina del Mar, directly after the Samoa v Georgia Nations Cup fixture.
Watch Hemispheres collide as North faces South in the brand new Nations Championship. Live matches, replays and highlights free on RugbyPass TV here
