Canada fall short against Samoa

A dominant scrum and plenty of possession was not enough to get Canada ‘A’ the win in their last match of the Americas Pacific Challenge, as Samoa ‘A’ emerged victorious by a final score of 27-22. Three tries were scored by each side but the left boot of Jack Saena and a last second drop goal by Patrick Fa’apale proved the difference.

The Samoans had the best of the early exchanges with two converted tries in the first quarter against one penalty goal by Andrew Ferguson. Oneone Fa’afou was on the end of a long-range counter strike and then the flanker was involved again soon after, his pass putting Ope Peleseuma into the corner. Saena’s kick from the sideline split the uprights for a 14-3 lead.

Canada replied through their scrum at the half-hour mark. The Samoan scrum disintegrated on their own line and as Admir Cejvanovic fell over the line the referee went under the sticks for the penalty try, with Ferguson adding the easy extras.

Saena impressed with his running skills as well, creating space by attacking the line and then his inside support line was rewarded with a breakaway try. The flyhalf converted his own touchdown to make it an 11 point gap at the break. Ferguson was off target on a penalty chance as Fa’afou was binned for a cynical penalty at the breakdown.

The second half showed promise for Canada with gaps starting to open in a tiring Samoan defense. A nifty give-and-go interchange between Rory McDonell and Kainoa Lloyd broke the line and Ben LeSage came roaring up in support to tear away untouched from 25 metres out. Ferguson’s conversion cut the lead to only four but despite continual pressure, it would be nearly 20 minutes before Canada managed to put points on the board again.

Reserves came on to replace tired legs and Canada won a scrum deep in Samoan territory. This time the Islanders managed to keep their feet but they could not stop Gordon McRorie from scoring after the scrumhalf broke from the back. The try put Canada in the lead for the first time but somehow McRorie missed the routine conversion.

A soft penalty at the breakdown handed Saena his chance to take three and he did not disappoint. Samoa gave Canada no chances in the closing moments with Fa’apale’s drop goal direct from a scrum sealing the victory and drawing the final whistle.

It’s a disappointing end to the tournament for Canada, who finish with no wins from three and must wait on the result of Uruguay’s match against the USA to determine their fate. If the South Americans score even a losing bonus point Canada will be condemned to last place of the six teams. Samoa meanwhile finish with two wins from three with their only defeat to de facto finalists Fiji.

 

SCORING

SAMOA ‘A’ 27
Tries – O. Fa’afou (11), O. Peleseuma (18), J. Saena (35)
Cons – J. Saena 3 (12, 19, 36)
Pens – J. Saena (74)
Drops – P. Fa’apale (80)
Yellow cards – O. Fa’afou (40)

CANADA ‘A’ 22
Try – Penalty try (30), B. LeSage (50), G. McRorie (70)
Cons – A. Ferguson 2 (31, 51)
Pens – A. Ferguson (13)

 

TEAMS

SAMOA ‘A’
1 Nephi Leatigaga 2 Lene Nu’uuli 3 Jake Grey (capt.) 4 Talaga Alofipo 5 Callum Adams 6 Mikaele Tapili 7 Oneone Fa’afou 8 Suamalie Tuiletufuta 9 Danny Tusitala 10 Jack Saena 11 Meki Magele 12 Rhema Sagote 13 Ope Peleseuma 14 La’aloi Leilua 15 Johnny Va’ili

16 Malcolm Tanielu 17 Michael Tuiloma 18 Sylvester Taupau 19 Lester Sefo 20 Joshua Fuimaono 21 Melani Matavao 22 Patrick Fa’apale 23 Malu Falaniko

CANADA ‘A’
1 Rob Brouwer 2 Ray Barkwill (c) 3 Ryan Ackerman 4 Lucas Albornoz 5 Adrian Wadden 6 Lucas Rumball 7 Matt Heaton 8 Admir Cejvanovic 9 Andrew Ferguson 10 Patrick Parfrey 11 Sean Ferguson 12 Guiseppe du Toit 13 Ben LeSage 14 Kainoa Lloyd 15 Rory McDonell

16 Martial Lagain 17 Peter Houlihan 18 Ryan Kotlewski 19 Conor Keys 20 Mike Sheppard 21 Gordon McRorie 22 Robbie Povey 23 Doug Fraser

 

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Tim Baker (HKRFU)
Assistants: Pali De Luca (UAR) & Rodrigo Goyet (URU)
TMO: Alejandro Longres (URU)