Improved Manu Samoa denied

It was close. Excruciatingly close for the Manu Samoa.

A much-improved performance from the men in blue ended their Rugby World Cup campaign with Scotland escaping with a, 36-33 victory at St. James Park, in Newcastle.

The win secured Scotland’s place in the quarterfinals, finishing as runners-up in Pool B.

In doing so, they broke Japanese hearts. Japan, who needed Samoa to win in order to stand any chance of progressing to the playoffs, now face a 'dead' rubber against the USA at Kingsholm.

For Samoa though, the team can hold their heads high. They came out of the blocks all guns blazing. The senior players stood up and led the way.

Captain Kahn Fotuali’i, Tusi Pisi, Maurie Fa’asavalu, Alafoti Faosiliva and Rey Lee Lo had outstanding games.

Scottish hearts were in dry mouths and Samoa were on the charge. For 80 breathless minutes, Scotland’s future participation in the World Cup was blowing in the chill northern air.

It was riveting to behold. Samoa had nothing to lose and nothing to gain in official terms – they were destined for Pool B oblivion kick-off – and used their freedom to express themselves.

How emphatically they played, making Scotland sweat on their fate.

Samoa dominated early possession. They scored their first try through fly-half Tusi Pisi out wide. Nine minutes gone.

Then, in a bonkers aberration, the Samoans chucked the ball merrily around behind their own try line. It was suicidal stuff.

Wing Paul Perez fumbled it and Tommy Seymour collected the gift to score for Scotland.

But if this should have betokened a new wave Scottish dominance, it did not. We looked from one end of the pitch to the other like a Wimbledon tennis umpire. And with Scotland rattled from the restart, Samoa again retook the lead through Manu Leiataua, who ran charged over with no defender within touching distance.

Scotland were being out-thought and outplayed now. Reynold Lee-Lo extended Samoa’s lead, barging past Stuart Hogg and into the corner. Every one of Samoa’s crazy deeds was working for them.

Misery piled on for Scotland when forward Ryan Wilson was sent to the sin-bin for stamping. He did not know where his foot was landing, but luckily for him it connected with a Samoan arm rather than a face. He was spared a red card.

Scotland got back into the game with a driving maul that was rounded off by John Hardie burrowing through. The conversion made it all square. Samoa had a try disallowed but their penalty kick left them 26-23 up at the end of the first half.