PRC - Samoa A 35–12 Junior Waratahs

The Samoan tribal drums were beating loud and clear in Western Sydney tonight as Samoa A out muscled and outpointed the Junior Waratahs, to run out winners in their final match of the Australian leg of the 2011 Pacific Rugby Cup.

A subdued start by both teams with a penalty goal to Samoa A captain Roger Warren the only thing to show for the efforts of the opening 15 minutes.  However, with a yellow card to Samoa A flanker Misioka Timoteo soon after, the tempo quickly changed with the Junior Waratahs keen to capitalise on Samoa having a man down, and in the 20^th minute they scored from a well worked rolling maul.  The conversion unsuccessful, the Junior Waratahs were up 5 – 3, but they were not finished.  Directly following the ensuing kick off , Josh Holmes seeing no one home at the back for Samoa A, kicked into the Samoan’s quarter and winger Ryan Shortland won the foot race to dive on the ball and score in the corner.  With the conversion successful, the Junior Waratahs pushed out to a 12 – 3 lead. 

Nothing seemed to be working for the Samoan’s who, despite some powerful darting runs, and countless raids into the Junior Waratahs half, ended with up with the critical pass always going to ground.   However, in the 33^rd minute the passes did stick and after some tight work off the ruck, Pelesiusa Faulau dived over close out from the line to score and get them back in the game.  Roger Warren added the extra’s, and Samoa A went to the break trailing 12 – 10.

The match would prove to be a game of two halves with Samoa A returning from the sheds with a spring in their step and keen to get back on terms with the Junior Waratahs.  It wouldn’t be long before the tide started to turn, and aided by a yellow card to Junior Waratahs Lapeti Timanai,  Samoa A’s Misioka Timoteo crashed over in the corner and Roger Warren added the extra’s.  18 – 12 to Samoa A.  With their tales in the air Samoa A were in again following a slick mid-field break and slicing run from Fautua Otto.  Conversion successful, and Samoa A were out to a 25 – 12 lead just fifteen minutes into the half.  Another penalty goal from Roger Warren in the 17^th minute pushed it out to 28 – 12.

Not to be bustled out of the match, the Junior Waratahs came back at the Samoans and pushed their way into the visitors half, throwing the ball wide in an attempt to gather momentum from which to cut through the Samoa A line.  However, the scrambling defence, and keenness of Samoa A to protect their lead, halted the efforts of the Junior Waratahs, and in the 37^th minute following a Junior Waratahs turnover, Titi Esau kicked through for Morgan Salesa to grab the ball and score in the corner.   Samoa A ran out 35 – 12 winners.

Following the win Samoa A coach Selefuti Patu said that he was “very happy with the continued improvement of the team. We have only been together as a team for 3 games and things are starting to come off, and our game management was very good today.  We are now looking forward to the games in New Zealand.”