The Manu Samoa put their off-field concerns aside yesterday to defeat Canada, 23-13, on its second match of the its Northern Hemisphere tour.
Played in Vannes, France, the men in blue who had been under the spotlight during the past few days had to really rally to avoid a second consecutive defeat on tour.
Replacements Anthony Perenise and Winston Stanley scored second-half tries for Samoa, with Michael Stanley converting both and adding three penalties.
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The Manu Samoa players had threatened to boycott next week's Test against England unless their concerns about the management of the Samoa Rugby Union were addressed.
The strike was averted thanks to action by the International Rugby Board (I.R.B) and the International Rugby Players' Association (I.R.P.A).
But Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi, heavily criticised the players, saying their threat to boycott showed that they have placed money above country.
Yesterday, captain David Lemi and his responded the best possible way.
Mike Stanley, in his first start for Samoa, kicked 13 points and the Pacific Islanders never trailed on a wet pitch at Stade de la Rabine.
The 17th-ranked Canadians, who had a much better second half, closed the gap to 16-13 with less than 10 minutes remaining but gifted the Samoans a try on the ensuing restart and never recovered.
Stanley made five of eight kicks — three penalties and two conversions.
The New Zealand-born England-raised fly half, who qualifies for Samoa through his father, made his Samoa debut last week in the loss to No. 14 Italy that dropped the Samoans two places in the world rankings.
Replacement prop Anthony Perenise and back Winston Stanley — no relation to Mike or the former Canadian star winger of the same name — scored tries for Samoa.
Outside centre Conor Trainor scored Canada's lone try, which was converted by James Pritchard. Gordon McRorie added two penalties, including a long-range effort.
Samoa beat Canada 42-12 the last time the two met, two years ago in Wales.
Samoa heads to London next for its date with No. 4 England at Twickenham.
Canada started poorly, conceding four penalties in the first 12 minutes. Stanley put Samoa up 9-0 on three penalties before McRorie hit back with a kick from the halfway line.
Trainor was sent to the sin-bin in the 28th minute as referee Gordon Clancy produced the yellow card for persistent infringement by Canada. Samoa led 9-3 at the half.
A different Canadian side came out in the second half and attacked the Samoans, narrowing the gap to 9-6 with an early McRorie penalty kick.
Winger DTH van der Merwe made a fine run down the sideline, only to lose his balance on the wet turf. Canada missed another chance when McRorie dropped the ball near the goal-line after a slashing run by Trainor.
Perenise scored the first try of the game in the 60th minute, rumbling over the line. Trainor's converted try in the 71st minute drew Canada within three at 16-13 and it seemed game on.
But on the ensuing restart, Nanyak Dala's pass to Patrick Parfrey deflected back and Samoa recovered, with Winston Stanley going over for the try.
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