Samoa wasted no time getting going, taking the kickoff and blasting forward with Ofisa Treviranus leading the charge early. After multiple phases of sustained attack Paul Perez burst through a tackle and offloaded to George Pisi who was stopped just short, but a Canadian penalty gave Samoa an attacking scrum. Canada conceded a free kick and Taiasina Tu’ifua took the quick tap to power over for an early try. James So’oialo had no problems converting the try.
The North Americans held their composure and managed to gather the restart, winning a penalty and giving James Pritchard a chance to respond. The uprights appeared to widen mid-flight however and the ball rung off the iron. Bad luck and Samoa cleared.
Already the power of the Samoan ball carriers were taking their toll on the Canadian defense and the Manu marched worked their way straight down the pitch first for a So’oialo penalty and then a Tusi Pisi cross-kick found new cap Robert Lilomaiava for the second time on the left flank and the young flyer crossed for his first international try. Not five minutes later quick hands put him over for his second and Canada were well and truly being battered into submission. So’oialo added the touchline conversion to add insult to injury.
The Canucks seemed to find their rhythm a bit and finally got their hands on the ball, with some nice touches from Connor Braid, but captain Aaron Carpenter was smashed backwards by Census Johnston and then key centre Phil Mackenzie was forced off after catching a stray So’oialo boot in a tackle. Nick Blevins came on and straight away made a good tackle on Setaimata Sa to win a turnover. Canada cleared and managed to hold out until the much-needed break.
The second half began much the same as the first. Within two minutes a Jeremy Su’a took a quick tap from a scrum penalty and fed an unmarked Lilomaiava who crossed for a hat trick on debut. Another brilliant conversion from So’oialo stretched the lead to 29 unanswered points. Replacement John Moonlight and Connor Braid managed to score consolation tries and avoid the shutout but not before So’oialo added two penalties and a conversion to go with Lilomaiava’s fourth try.
The result was never in doubt but Samoa probably showed a bit more class and discipline than were expected. The strength and power of the Manu attack was too much for Canada, who spent the bulk of the match on the back foot. Wales will be concerned about a very dangerous looking Samoan side marching into Cardiff with loads of confidence. Kieran Crowley’s Canadian side will be relieved to have the Russian game to work on things before facing the might of the Maori in a fortnight’s time.
SCORING
05 mins – Taiasina Tu’ifua try 5-0
05 mins – James So’oialo con 7-0
14 mins – James So’oialo pen 10-0
16 mins – Robert Lilomaiava try 15-0
20 mins – Robert Lilomaiava try 20-0
21 mins – James So’oialo con 22-0
42 mins – Robert Lilomaiava try 27-0
42 mins – James So’oialo con 29-0
50 mins – James So’oialo pen 32-0
54 mins – James So’oialo pen 35-0
66 mins – Robert Lilomaiava try 40-0
66 mins – James So’oialo con 42-0
70 mins – John Moonlight try 42-5
75 mins – Connor Braid try 42-10
76 mins – James Pritchard con 42-12
CARDS
54 mins – Nick Blevins yellow (professional foul)
SAMOA
James So’oialo; Paul Perez, George Pisi (Fa’atoina Autagavaia 72), Setaimata Sa (Johnny Leota 50), Robert Lilomaiava; Tusi Pisi, Jeremy Su’a (Kahn Fotuali’i 64); Sakaria Taulafo (capt.) (Viliamu Afatia 66), Ole Avei, Census Johnston (James Johnston 58); Fa’atiga Lemalu, Filo Paulo; Ofisa Treviranus (Joe Tekori 61), Tivani Foma’i, Taiasina Tu’ifua (Alafoti Fa’osiliva 50 {Ropeti Lafo 72}).
CANADA
James Pritchard; Matt Evans (Jeff Hassler 65), Ciaran Hearn, Phil Mackenzie (Nick Blevins 31), Taylor Paris; Connor Braid, Sean White (Eric Wilson 66); Hubert Buydens (Andrew Tiedemann 59), Ray Barkwill (Ryan Hamilton 50), Doug Wooldridge (Jason Marshall 50); Jon Phelan (Brett Beukeboom 65), Tyler Hotson; Tyler Ardron (John Moonlight 65), Chauncey O’Toole, Aaron Carpenter (capt.).
