Samoa survive late surge from Canada

An incredible 20 points from the boot of 19-year-old D’Angelo Leuila propelled Samoa to another precarious win over Canada with the final score 25-23 at the Stade des Alpes in Grenoble on Friday. Making his first international start, the left-footed Samoan flyhalf kicked four penalty goals and two drop goals along with one conversion that suggests a very bright future in the international game. Despite outscoring Manu Samoa three tries to one, Canada never really looked likely of winning after a slow start.

The first half was spent almost entirely in Canadian territory with the pace and power of the Samoan attack causing mayhem particularly in the wide channels. A line break by Ken Pisi up the middle was spun wide where a three-man overlap was finished by Paul Perez in the corner. Leuila’s sideline conversion was a sign of things to come. Just a minute later a picture-perfect drop goal went over to make it 10 points in 10 minutes for the Manu.

Connor Braid tried to keep Canada in the game with two well-struck penalties that cancelled out Leuila’s efforts. Too often on attack, however, Braid was left looking bewildered with no few teammates putting their hand up to take the ball on. An exception was Brett Beukeboom, who repeatedly hurled himself at the Samoan defense to give Canada some much-needed go forward. Nothing would come from their efforts, however, until well into the second half.

Leuila sent over his third penalty as things started to get feisty. Tai Tuifu’a was binned for a shoulder charge on Matt Evans, which allowed Canada the opportunity to kick for the corner. After securing the lineout the maul came to within inches of the line and Evan Olmstead shot a sneaky arm out to touch the ball down on the line.

A scuffle off the ball broke out between Jamie Cudmore and Seilala Lam, but with no TMO available to review the play only the Canadian who was sent to the sidelines with the Samoan hooker let off the hook. Fortune finally favored the men in red with a long kick downfield took a wild bounce and DTH van der Merwe was there to pounce on it, dodging his way to the line to give his country some hope heading in to the final quarter.

The momentum was temporarily suspended by a second drop goal from Leuila, who then added a fourth penalty from the tee to seemingly put Canada out of reach. Cue Braid and van der Merwe once more, this time the flyhalf kick-passing direct to his captain who raced away for the score. Braid was good on the conversion and the fans were in for a grandstand finish.

With Canada on the attack and Samoa seemingly out on their feet it looked like the game could yet be won, but the attack ventured too close to the sideline and the ball was knocked loose into touch. Samoa were awarded the scrum and it was their skipper David Lemi who took the final punt into the stands to end a fierce and captivating match.

Samoa are now left wondering when their next congregation will be after a slow year and only a June match against Wales currently on the cards in 2017. Canada meanwhile have the Americas Rugby Championship to look forward to in February and only a few months until the all-important World Cup qualifiers against the US Eagles in August.

 

SCORING

SAMOA 25
Tries – P. Perez (8’)
Cons – D. Leuila (9’)
Pens – D. Leuila 4 (13’, 24’, 50’, 70’)
Drop goals – D. Leuila 2 (10’, 65’)
Yellow cards – T. Tuifu’a (55’)

CANADA 23
Tries – E. Olmstead (57’), D. van der Merwe 2 (61’, 77’)
Cons – C. Braid (78’)
Pens – C. Braid 2 (16’, 26’)
Yellow cards – J. Cudmore (60′)

 

TEAMS

SAMOA
1 Sakaria Taulafo (17 Nephi Leatigaga 71’), 2 Elia Elia (16 Seilala Lam 58’), 3 Logovi’i Mulipola (18 Census Johnston 51’), 4 Taiasina Tuifu’a, 5 Jeff Lepa, 6 Alafoti Fa’osiliva, 7 Greg Foe, 8 Genesis Mamea (20 Oneone Fa’afou 71’), 9 Kahn Fotuali’i, 10 D’Angelo Leuila (21 Danny Tusitala 73’), 11 David Lemi (capt.), 12 Winston Stanley (22 Ope Peleseuma 68’), 13 Paul Perez, 14 Ken Pisi, 15 Albert Nikoro (23 Ahsee Tuala 71’)

Not used: 19 Talaga Alofipo

CANADA
1 Rob Brouwer (17 Djustice Sears-Duru 51’), 2 Ray Barkwill, 3 Jake Ilnicki, 4 Jamie Cudmore, 5 Brett Beukeboom, 6 Evan Olmstead, 7 Matt Heaton, 8 Admir Cejvanovic, 9 Phil Mack, 10 Connor Braid, 11 Conor Trainor, 12 Nick Blevins, 13 Ciaran Hearn, 14 DTH van der Merwe (capt.), 15 Matt Evans

Not used: 16 Eric Howard, 18 Matt Tierney, 19 Conor Keys, 20 Clay Panga, 21 Andrew Ferguson, 22 Pat Parfrey, 23 Ben LeSage

 

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Luke Pearce (RFU)
Assistants: David Wilkinson (IRFU) & Gary Conway (IRFU)
TMO: n/a