Back To Articles
Print This Article
Discuss This Article
Ireland smash sleepy Samoa
Written by: Andrew CookNov 5, 2008 8:33pm
Ireland have emerged at the top of Pool C with a dominant 34-16 win over a lacklustre Samoan side at Parramatta Stadium tonight.
Samoa started the match full of running and dominated field position for the first ten minutes but were denied an opening try on two occasions by correct video referee rulings. Ireland gained plenty of confidence from their early defensive efforts and quickly turned the screws on their more fancied opponents with three quick tries in a seven minute passage to open up a surprise 14-0 lead. The second try was a beauty, started by a nice Bob Beswick break out of dummy half and finished off by lock forward Simon Finnigan, who played strongly throughout. Tries to Samoan captain Nigel Vagana and replacement Misi Taulapapa closed the margin to just 2 points before Pat Richards added a penalty goal for a 16-12 halftime scoreline.
Ireland began the second half in the best way possible with a second try to winger Pat Richards, who eventually finished with a 22-point haul that sees him join other illustrious names in World Cup scoring history. Samoa had their comeback attempts cruelled by injuries to Lagi Setu and, more crucially, Nigel Vagana – leaving their stuttering attack to the mercy of the strong Irish defence.
Irish halfback Liam Finn sealed the victory with a 71st minute try, and while Samoa were able to peg back a consolation try shortly afterwards it was a case of too little too late from the pre-game favourites. Pat Richards provided a fitting conclusion by bringing up his third try inside the final minute of the match.
Ireland will now go on to play the winner of Pool B for a semi-final spot, and providing they can get their discipline into order there’s no reason why they couldn’t survive at least another week in this tournament. Gareth Haggerty, Simon Finnigan and Ryan Tandy powered through a mountain of work in the forwards for their side tonight, while the boot of Pat Richards proved to be a very handy weapon as well.
Without wanting to state the obvious, Samoa were very disappointing. They looked like they’d begun to believe their own press and ended up playing like a team who had only met each other five minutes before kick-off. Nigel Vagana was a stand-out performer before suffering an injury, while Wayne McDade can also hold his head high after a strong effort on debut.
Ireland 34 vs Samoa 16
World Cup Week 3 – Wednesday November 5th, 2008 5:55pm
Venue: Parramatta Stadium
Referee: Thierry Albert
Video Referee: Steve Ganson
Halftime: Ireland 16 Samoa 12
Ireland 34
Tries: Pat Richards (3), Simon Finnigan, Sean Gleeson, Liam Finn
Goals: Pat Richards (5/10)
Samoa 16
Tries: Nigel Vagana, Misi Taulapapa, Dave Solomona
Goals: Ben Roberts (2/3)
LeagueUnlimited.com Player of the Match
3 Points: Simon Finnigan (Ireland)
2 Points: Ryan Tandy (Ireland)
1 Point: Pat Richards (Ireland)
LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary
Welcome to Parramatta Stadium for this clash to decide the winners of Pool C - Samoa will be starting as red-hot favourites but the luck of the Irish could well produce a surprise.
There's one late change to the Samoan team with Ali Lauitiiti starting in place of David Solomona who drops to the bench. Here are the confirmed line-ups:
IRELAND WOLFHOUNDS:
1. Michael Platt, 2. Damien Blanch, 3. Sean Gleeson, 4. Stuart Littler, 5. Pat Richards, 6. Scott Grix (c) , 7. Liam Finn , 8. Eamon O’Carroll , 9. Bob Beswick, 10. Gareth Haggerty, 11. Ben Harrison, 12. Lee Doran, 13. Simon Finnigan
14. Michael McIlorum, 15. Karl Fitzpatrick, 16. Wayne Kerr, 17. Ryan Tandy
Coach: Andy Kelly
TOA SAMOA:
1. Smith Samau, 2. Matt Utai, 3. George Carmont, 4. Willie Talau, 5. Frances Meli, 6. Nigel Vagana (c), 7. Ben Roberts, 8. Wayne McDade, 9. Terence Seuseu, 10. Tony Puletua, 11. Lagi Setu, 15. Ali Lauitiiti, 13. Harrison Hansen
12. David Solomona, 14. Frank Puletua, 16. Joseph Paulo, 17. Misi Taulapapa
Coach: John Ackland
KICKOFF - We're underway! Samoa will have first use of the ball.
2 min: VIDEO REF - possible Samoan try ...
2 min: NO TRY - Pat Richards cleans up a Samoan grubber kick inside his own in-goal but loses the ball in a solid tackle. Nigel Vagana tries to claim the try only inches away from the dead ball line but didn't have control of the ball.
3 min: Scott Grix attempts a 40/20 and gets the distance, but the ball sails out on the full.
6 min: VIDEO REF - another possible Samoan try ...
6 min: NO TRY - Tony Puletua crashes through a couple of Irish tacklers and forces the ball, but the Video Referee correctly rules that Harrison Hansen had obstructed an Irish defender with a decoy run. Ireland will now get the ball for only their second set of the match.
9 min: Possession is currently running 70/30 in favour of Samoa, aided by a 5-1 penalty count against the Irish.
12 min: Damien Blanch darts from dummy-half after a quick play-the-ball but is smashed by Terrence Seuseu and is suddenly a bit wobbly on his feet.
12 min: TRY Ireland
Somehow Ireland manage to open the scoring tonight! Liam Finn hoists a high bomb out to Matt Utai's wing, and Pat Richards easily outjumps him before twisting around and forcing the ball for a try. Richards misses the conversion attempt.
Ireland 4-0
14 min: TRY Ireland
Bob Beswick dummies his way through the Samoan defensive line before linking up with Simon Finnigan for a great Irish try. Pat Richards has an easier conversion attempt this time - but it cannons away off the posts.
Ireland 8-0
19 min: VIDEO REF - possible Ireland try ...
19 min: TRY Ireland
Scott Grix puts up a bomb towards Francis Meli, but he can't claim it and Samoa can't cover the scraps - so Sean Gleeson claims a try instead. Pat Richards nails the conversion attempt.
Ireland 14-0
23 min: Ireland survive the first Samoan try-scoring chance for quite a while, with Pat Richards calmly claiming a grubber kick on his own goal-line before flicking an offload to Michael Platt to get out of danger. Meanwhile Wayne Kerr has put his hand up from the bench, ready for action.
25 min: VIDEO REF - possible Samoan try ...
25 min: TRY Samoa
Michael Platt fumbles a huge Samoan bomb back into his own in-goal and Pat Richards has an air swing trying to clear the ball away, so Nigel Vagana just has to fall on the ball to claim a try. Ben Roberts adds the extras.
Ireland 14-6
27 min: TIGHTHEAD! Ireland are awarded a scrum after a lost ball by Misi Taulapapa, despite Irish interference in the tackle. Justice is served when Samoa come up with the ball from the Irish scrum feed.
30 min: Michael McIlorum throws a forward pass from dummy half on his own 30 metre line, giving the Samoans a scrum feed and excellent field position.
32 min: Strong Irish defence forces an error from Francis Meli, and Samoa make it worse by conceding a penalty shortly afterwards.
34 min: Wayne Kerr concedes a penalty for holding on a little too long, and Samoa will have another try-scoring chance deep in Irish territory.
35 min: VIDEO REF - possible Samoan try ...
35 min: TRY Samoa
Nigel Vagana is stopped in a try-saving tackle just short of the line, but on the next play Misi Taulapapa darts over from dummy half to score. Ben Roberts converts.
Ireland 14-12
37 min: David Solomona produces a nice offload for George Carmont, who instantly tries to link up with his winger - but throws the ball straight into touch.
39 min: PENALTY GOAL Ireland
Consecutive penalties against Samoa give Ireland a chance to extend their lead, and Pat Richards knocks over another two points.
Ireland 16-12
HALFTIME: Ireland 16 Samoa 12
Ireland have survived a very tough start to take a well-deserved lead into the sheds, but they'll need to improve their discipline if they want to hold off Samoa. Nigel Vagana has been sharp for the pre-match favourites with plenty of spark on attack.
The second half is underway!
43 min: TRY Ireland
Pat Richards scores out wide after some long passing catches out a rushing Samoan defensive line. Richards misses the conversion attempt.
Ireland 20-12
46 min: Lagi Setu is in trouble with a shoulder/arm injury and is in the hands of the trainers.
47 min: Ali Lauitiiti chases a grubber kick and nearly scores but the kick beats him over the dead ball line.
49 min: A nice Ben Roberts chip-kick forces a goal line drop-out from Ireland. Samoa are starting to control the game nicely now, but need to convert this possession into points pretty soon.
51 min: Samoa restrict Ireland to only 21 metres while running the ball away from their own line, but the super-charged boot of Pat Richards manages to make plenty of territory with a clearing kick.
53 min: PENALTY GOAL Ireland
Pat Richards takes another shot at goal after Ireland receive a penalty for a stripped ball.
Ireland 22-12
54 min: Ryan Tandy loses the ball on the first tackle after the restart.
54 min: HELD UP - Willie Talau slides across the line but is held up by the Irish defence.
55 min: Samoan captain Nigel Vagana falls awkwardly in a tackle and looks to have damaged a knee. He wants to stay on, but the trainers win the argument and help him from the field.
59 min: VIDEO REF - possible Ireland try ...
59 min: NO TRY - Damien Blanch picks up a loose ball and runs 90 metres to score, but the Video Referee spots a knock-on from Blanch as he first leaped to claim an attacking Ben Roberts bomb.
59 min: Samoa spread the ball wide from the scrum but a mix up between Willie Talau and Misi Taulapapa sees the ball thrown straight into touch.
60 min: A bad fumble from Francis Meli gives Ireland a scrum feed only 25 metres out from the Samoan line.
63 min: ON REPORT - David Solomona is lucky to still be on the field after cocking an elbow while rushing up to tackle Sean Gleeson.
64 min: PENALTY GOAL Ireland
Pat Richards adds another two points following the penalty against David Solomona.
Ireland 24-12
66 min: Ben Roberts jinks his way through about 5 Irish defenders with a good run, but the set finishes with Ali Lauitiiti (!) putting in a grubber kick that comfortably winds up over the dead ball line.
68 min: PENALTY GOAL Ireland
Tony Puletua is penalised for a late shot on Pat Richards after a midfield bomb, so Richards steps up for yet another penalty goal.
Ireland 26-12
70 min: Terrence Seuseu chases a loose ball, kicks ahead and goes close to scoring - but Willie Talau had knocked on earlier in the play, so Ireland end up with a scrum feed.
71 min: VIDEO REF - possible Ireland try ...
71 min: TRY Ireland
Misi Taulapapa fumbles an Ireland kick and shows absolutely no urgency to clean up the scraps, allowing Liam Finn to chase through and put the final nail in the Samoan coffin tonight. Pat Richards misses the conversion attempt while the security guards wrestle a local nimrod from the field.
Ireland 30-12
75 min: TRY Samoa
David Solomona barges over from close range out wide to narrow the gap. Ben Roberts misses the conversion attempt. Conversion attempt by Ben Roberts unsuccessful.
Ireland 30-16
76 min: Samoa produce a moment to sum up their performance by allowing the Irish restart to bounce over the dead ball line.
79 min: VIDEO REF - possible Irish try, Pat Richards is looking for a hat-trick...
79 min: TRY Ireland
Pat Richards scores after dotting down just ahead of the dead ball line following a Liam Finn grubber kick that evades the Samoan defence. Richards misses the conversion attempt.
Ireland 34-16
FULLTIME: Ireland 34 Samoa 16
Ireland finish at the top of Pool C following this dominant win over a very disappointing Samoan side.
Digg This!
del.icio.us
Google
StumbleUpon
