Manu Samoa has made the perfect start to their Rugby World Cup campaign this morning. They have done this with a hard fought 25-16 win when they overpowered the United States of America at the Brighton Community Stadium.
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Tries from Tim Nanai-Williams and captain Ofisa Treviranus helped Samoa get their tournament to a fabulous start.
They join Japan, who upset South Africa yesterday, at the top of Pool B with four points.
“It was a good game and it was a very tough game but we are very happy with the win,” captain Ofisa Treviranus said.
“Our preparations were good coming into this game. I thought our discipline was good. The most important thing for us was to win and we’ve done that so we’re very happy.”
Coach Stephen Betham echoed the thoughts of his captain.
Conceding that it was a tough game, he said they expected U.S.A to throw everything at them.
“We’ve still got a lot to work on but we’ll take the win and build from here,” he said.
And with South Africa up next, Betham knows they will have to lift another notch, especially after the Springboks lost their opening game to Japan.
“We expect the backlash from the Boks but we will be ready for it,” he said. “This game today has given us plenty to work on but I’m just happy with the win.”
Samoa had to overcome a fiery start from the U.S.A, with Rey Lee Lo being helped off the field for a concussion test after the first minute.
First five eighth, Tusi Pisi, settled the nerves with penalty for a 3-0 lead.
Nanai-Williams then showed his sevens athleticism as he dived over to score in the 20th minute for Samoa’s opening try.
Another Pisi penalty in the 27th minute extended Samoa’s lead to 11-0.
Three minutes later, the U.S.A opened their account with a penalty kick, 11-3. Chris Wyles followed with a try to reduce the gap, 11-8.
A third Pisi penalty took the teams to the break at 14-8 with Samoa in front.
In the second spell, Samoa got off to a flying start when Treviranus was in the right place to collect a loose ball in the 46th minute for a try, 19-8. Another Pisi penalty on 50th minute extended the lead, 22-8.
But U.S.A was not done.
They responded with a penalty and through Chris Baumann who burrowed over in the 74th minute.
Replacement halfback Mike Stanley rounded off the scoring with a penalty, 25-16. Nanai-Williams was awarded the man of the match.
U.S.A struggled to deal with the raw power of the Samoans, who were too much for their opponents.
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