Samoa indicated they could prove awkward opposition for first-round opponents England and South Africa with an easy 60-13 victory over World Cup Pool C whipping boys Uruguay in Perth on Wednesday.
Samoa had the match wrapped up by half-time after forging into a 29-5 lead with the Uruguayans powerless against the islanders’ hard-running play.
Flanker Maurie Fa’asavalu bagged the first of two first-half tries in the 13th minute, bursting through a weak tackle from centre Martin Mendaro near halfway and outpacing Uruguay fullback Juan Menchaca for a spectacular score.
Magical handling from the Samoans created the next try for evergreen centre Brian Lima. Lock Opeta Palepoi showed great pace down the touchline and offloaded inside to Lima who gathered one-handed and dotted down.
Sailosi Tagicakibau helped extend Samoa’s lead to 17-0 when he stooped to gather fly-half Earl Va’a’s punt forward brilliantly before beating the Uruguayan cover. Va’a converted for 17-0.
Fa’asavalu bagged his second try of the half moments later, turning on the gas again to round off a sustained Samoa attack in the corner.
Lima added his second following centre Terry Fanolua’s break and Va’a popped over the conversion for 29-0.
At this point a Uruguayan try looked unlikely. But ”Los Teros” managed a rare break upfield and were rewarded with their first try of the tournament thanks to a determined piece of spoiling from Rodrigo Capo.
Normal service resumed straight after half-time when wing Lome Fa’atau swept clear for a long-range try.
Uruguay consoled themselves with a Diego Aguirre penalty but Samoa were in rampant mood and further tries in quick succession from replacement prop Simon Lemalu and Vili put them 48-8 ahead.
The South Americans refused to throw in the towel and raised one of the biggest cheers of the night from a crowd of 22 000 spectators when Stade Francais’s prop Pablo Lemoine rumbled over from a driving maul.
A scrappy end to the match saw Samoa finish against 14 men after wing Fa’atau was penalised for a late tackle, but replacement Dominic Feaunati and Palepoi added two more tries to complete the scoring.
Samoa now face Georgia on Sunday before meeting England and South Africa. — Sapa-AFP