Toa Samoa pushed New Zealand all the way but were overrun in the dying stages in an epic Four Nations encounter.
Both teams scored three tries apiece and Shaun Johnson’s conversion, the only one of the afternoon from either side in the swirling Whangarei conditions, proving the difference as the Kiwis scraped home 14-12.
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Leading 12-10 in the final 10 minutes the Samoans were clinging grimly to their lead with some bone-jarring defence.
Having just narrowed the gap through a Jason Nightingale try, it was another piece of magic from the same player that gave the Kiwis a winning lead.
Seemingly wrapped up by the Samoan defence, Nightingale got a miracle offload away to Issac Luke with the ball then going through the hands for Shaun Kenny-Dowall to score.
It was a devastating blow to the men in blue who had led for most of the afternoon.
Leading 8-6 at the break after tries to Tautau Moga and Daniel Vidot in the first half, the Samoans extended that following a brilliant solo try to Joey Leilua, the best player on the field.
It was another thrilling result with the Samoa proving again that they are more than just making up numbers.
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