Belated match report from the Samoan Test.
Whilst a little on the late side, the pigeon finally fought his way home, so thought that the following match report might add a bit to that posted earlier.
The Australian Schoolboys convincingly defeated the Samoan Schoolboys in Hamilton last Tuesday.
With heavy rain just before the match, one of the Samoan officials did a traditional “sun dance” – and lo & behold – the sun appeared for the first time in the day. Unfortunately, that was proabably the last time that things went the Samoans way !
The starting XV – Robertson, Wilson, Sandell, Staniifirth, Phillip, Dempsey, Gunn, Fakaosiliea, Pulver,McIntyre, Robinson, Tuttle (c), Stewart, Porch & Placid.
Reserves: Pleash, Postal, Kavapalu, Cornelson, Wilkin, Ferris, Moerea, Valetini.
The Australians seemed a lot more focused after their heavy defeat by the NZ Barbarians, and this was evident throughout the match. Their ball control at the kickoff, and at lineout time, was excellent, and they controlled the scrums admirably.
The match started very willingly, and after just 4 minutes or so, Stewart made a strong break down the right hand side breaking a couple of tackles to put winger Robinson in for the first of his 3 tries. Converted by Wilson. Followed shortly thereafter by a successful penalty goal from Wilson
After a bit of “settling down”, and despite the sometimes awkward & slippery pitch, the Austrralians then started to gain the upper hand with some physical work at the breakdown, and following a raid into the Samoans half, and following a sensational double cut out pass from McIntyre, Porch scooted over in the corner. Wilson converted – 17-0.
The Australians gained in confidence, with some senstaional clashes at the tackle, and at the 25 minute mark, following a barging runs by Tuttle & Stewart, Fakaosiliea was on hand to finish off some good forward work to pick up the dregs and barge over for a great team try. Converted by Wilson. 24-0
The Samoans indiscretions and poor tackling technique was starting to show, and the final minutes of the first half were a flurry of activity – with one of the Samoans Yellow carded – and Aus crossing for 2 more tries through Porch & Gunn; both converted by Wilson . Aus up 38 – 0 at the break.
The second half commenced the same way as the first ended – with the Australians pressuring the Samoans into turning over the ball from the kick off. Dempsey sniped down the left hand flank, before putting Placid away to scorein in the corner. Again, converted by Wilson. 45- 0
The Australian reserves then started to appear, with Moeroa on for McIntyre, followed shortly thereafter by all of the other reserves.
5 minutes in, and Dempsey makes a break down the middle, toeing the ball from the half way mark, and in a sprint to the ball, Moeroa beats the opposition to score next to the posts. Again converted by Wilson. 52-0. This then followed almost immediately by another try to Robinson & conversion by Wilson – 59-0
The Samoans then pounced on some uncharacteristically sloppy play by the Australians to let Talapusi cross for the Samoans – and he converted his own try.
20 minutes in to the second half, with most of the reserves now on – following a good line out win, a terrific rolling maul that progressed about 30 metres down the field, and Tom Wilson dives over next to the posts. He converts and the score is now 66-7.
The Samoans were now well and truly beaten, with Robinson crossing again (converted by Porch), and then with about 3 minutes to go, Moeroa crossing following a devastating barging run from close in. Again converted by Porch . The skies then opened with torrential rain lashing the ground for the last few minutes of the match
Final score 80 – 7
The scrums were well controlled by the Australians, who also had the better of the penalty count due to the Samoans inability to tackle below the arm pits, and their constant disruptive play. In what was at times a very physical and bruising encounter, the forwards remained composed and kept up the pressure on their opposition.
The Australians dominated in the air at the kick off & at line out time – and showed great attacking ability when their backs got hold of the ball.
All in all, a very satisfactory victory – and one which the boys and coaching staff should be well pleased with.
Now to Auckland, and the match against the New Zealand Schoolboys on Saturday.
Cheers
The Hound