Samoa send out warning to Wales in the second of last night's IRB internationals at Parc Eirias, home of RGC
Samoa started the game with real intent with some quick runs from winger Robert Lilomaiava and centre Setaimata Sa who both came close to scoring the opening try. A quick tap penalty did lead to the Samoan try with number 8 Taiasina Tuifua powering over the line which was converted by James Sooialo. The second try looked to have come minutes later after a grubber kick under the posts by scrum half Jeremy Sua was pounced upon by Tusiata Pisi but the TMO didn’t give the decision. A penalty from Sooialo extended the lead to 10 points.
The next Samoa try did arrive from a kick with Pisi kicking to the wing and after collecting the ball on the bounce winger Robert Lilomaiava touchdown for the 5 points. Lilomaiava got his second try of the game with some quick hands from the Samoa backline and crossed over in the corner after a well worked move. The conversion from the touchline was well taken by Sooialo for a 22-nil score.
As expected Samoa were proving to be very physical with some big tackles going in to prevent any Canadian attacks but it was the backline that was impressing the north Wales crowd as they looked dangerous with ball in hand.
Both teams were looking to run the ball and Conner Braid the Canadian Fly half tried to break the line on a few occasions, only to find the Samoan defence waiting for him.
The second half started with some big tackles from the Samoans which even took some of the crowds’ breath away, and opening try of the half went to the Pacific Islanders as Faatiga Lemalu run over in the corner. Fullback Sooialo was looking impressive with the boot as he converted another difficult kick.
Canada were trying to get back into the game and scrum half Sean White was unlucky after being chased down from a kick ahead. Samoa fullback Sooialo was given a chance to show his kicking from distance as he fired a huge penalty over from the halfway line. As the half went on the Oggie,Oggie, Oggie chants rang around the stands which had to be a first at a Samoa v Canada match.
Another mammoth penalty from Sooialo went over the posts to make the score 35-nil and it will certainly be something Wales have to be aware of next week.
Canada were looking to through the ball around and go for the try but the Samoan defence was not giving an inch, and the whole crowd could practically feel the crunching tackle from Perez on Chauncey O’Toole.
In a repeat of the 1st half a grubber kick was used by Pisi and it was scored in the corner with Sooialo kicking another impressive conversion.
The biggest cheer of the night went to John Moonlight who took a quick tap penalty for Canada in the 70th minute and broke through the Samoan line to score a try. Canada grew in confidence with the try and took the game to Samoa in the final 10 minutes as they looked for another try, and they got it in the 80th minute after some good work from the centres combined for Braid to dive over for the converted try. The whistle blew soon after for a 42-12 win for Samoa
Samoa will have benefited from the game as they head south to play Wales next week which will clearly be a physical encounter but the boot of Sooialo could also be a factor.
IRB International Series next Saturday, 17th November from 6pm Canada v Russia, USA v Tonga, Eirias which follows RGC v Penallta. 2.30ko
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