Injury setback as Ireland survive big Samoan scare
MATCH REPORT: Ireland hung on desperately to edge Samoa 17-13 their final World Cup warm-up match in a rainy Bayonne on Saturday.
However, their 13th consecutive win came at a cost – veteran loosehead prop Cian Healy in doubt for the global showpiece in France next month.
The 35-year-old limped off just 20 minutes into the opening half, aided by the Irish medical staff – a suspected calf problem adding to Ireland’s concerns.
Healy, playing in his 125th international, was hurt in a first-half scrum and was in serious pain.
With coach Andy Farrell set to reveal his squad for the World Cup on Sunday, Healy faces a worrying race for fitness.
Ireland showed 12 changes from the side that thrashed England 29-10 last weekend.
They were ahead after just nine minutes on Saturday when fullback Jimmy O’Brien scored a try, set-up by a smart crossfield kick from flyhalf Jack Crowley and support work from wing Mack Hansen.
Crowley, who added the conversion for 7-0, was playing in place of suspended first-choice flyhalf and captain Johnny Sexton.
Healy’s match ended after 20 minutes and Samoa began to get a foothold in the game.
Fullback Duncan Paia’aua scored Samoa’s only try in the 36th minute, racing away after an attempted pass from Irish centre Stuart McCloskey had hit him in the face.
New Zealand flyhalf Lima Sopoaga succeeded with the conversion for a 7-all scoreline.
Sopoaga made his last All Blacks appearance in 2017 but benefits from a World Rugby rule change to play for the Pacific Islanders through family links.
Sopoaga then kicked a penalty in the closing moments of the first half for a 10-7 interval lead for the Pacific islanders.
The 32-year-old was successful with another penalty five minutes into the second period as Samoa edged to a 13-7 lead.
Ireland cut the deficit to 13-12 moments later when scrumhalf Conor Murray scored off a clever chip ahead from Jacob Stockdale but Crowley missed the conversion.
Irish forward power allowed them to take charge as replacement hooker Rob Herring crashed over off a maul with just over an hour played.
Crowley again went wide with his kick but a 13th successive win for the Irish was secured.
Ireland begin their World Cup campaign against Romania on September 9 with Samoa facing Chile in their opener on September 16.
The scorers
For Ireland
Tries: O’Brien, Murray, Herring
Con: Crowley
For Samoa
Try: Paia’aua
Con: Sopoaga
Pens: Sopoaga 2
Teams
Ireland: 15 Jimmy O’Brien, 14 Mack Hansen, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Keith Earls, 10 Jack Crowley, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Caelan Doris, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Ryan Baird, 5 Tadhg Beirne, 4 Iain Henderson (captain), 3 Finlay Bealham, 2 Tom Stewart, 1 Cian Healy.
Replacements: 16 Rob Herring, 17 Jeremy Loughman, 18 Tom O’Toole, 19 James Ryan, 20 Peter O’Mahony, 21 Craig Casey, 22 Ross Byrne, 23 Garry Ringrose.
Samoa: 15 Duncan Paia’aua, 14 Ed Fidow, 13 UJ Seuteni, 12 Tumua Manu, 11 Nigel Ah Wong, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Jonathan Taumateine, 8 Steven Luatua, 7 Fritz Lee, 6 Taleni Seu, 5 Theo McFarland, 4 Chris Vui (co-captain), 3 Paul Alo-Emile, 2 Seilala Lam, 1 James Lay.
Replacements: 16 Sama Malolo, 17 Jordan Lay, 18 Michael Alaalatoa (co-captain), 19 Miracle Fai’ilagi, 20 Jordan Taufua, 21 Ereatara Enari, 22 Christian Leali’ifano, 23 Neria Foma’i.
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
Assistant referees: Andrea Piardi (Italy), Adam Leal (England)
TMO: Ben Blain (Scotland)
