All Blacks given an almighty scare
New Zealand were given an almighty scare by Samoa in Apia on Wednesday, before recording a hard-earned 25-16 win in their historic one-off Test.
It was a rusty All Blacks side, battered by bone-crunching tackles, that received a pre-World Cup fright.
The teams scored one try each in what was a physical and entertaining clash – in which the All Blacks held a 12-3 lead at the half-time break.
With 15 minutes to go Samoa had closed the gap from 3-19 to 16-22 and looked to be in with a big chance of an first-ever win over their Kiwi cousins.
However, a late Dan Carter penalty – to go with a conversion and five other penalties he kicked – sealed the victory for the visitors.
The steady boot of Carter saved New Zealand as the first match between the rugby-obsessed nations in Samoa produced the closest result of all their six meetings.
The Test was the first of a five-match build-up by the All Blacks before they name a 31-man squad for their World Cup defence starting in England in September.
Close-marking by the powerful Samoans and multiple handling errors by both sides meant the clash never reached the free-flowing heights expected.
T
he only tries in the match, scored by All Blacks debutant George Moala and rugged Samoan flank Alafoti Fa'osiliva, both came in the second half.
Passions were ignited before kick-off with the All Blacks laying down the challenge with their traditional haka, or native war dance, and Samoa responding with their fearsome siva tau.
But after kick-off the fever rapidly ebbed. New Zealand's set piece appeared to click effortlessly into place with a scrum too powerful for Samoa and several stolen line-outs.
But attempts to run Samoa off the rock-hard ground in the 30° Celsius heat sank beneath a constant wave of close-marking Samoans.
Attempts to change tack with forward drives and a Carter cross-kick to wing Moala failed to breach the Samoans defence.
But as Johnny Leota and Alesana Tuilagi led a hard-charging Samoan defence the penalties flowed when the off-side line was breached.
Carter was able to land four penalties while Tusi Pisi replied with one for Samoa in the only scoring before half-time.
The Carter-Moala routine eventually paid off early in the second spell when the right wing scooped up a cross-kick and ran 30 metres to the line.
Fa'osiliva's try, 15 minutes from time, was the result of two powerful runs in one move through the flagging All Blacks defence by the Bath loose forward.
Tim Nanai Williams's conversion pulled Samoa within six points of the All Blacks and in sight of a shock result before Carter kicked his sixth penalty late in the game to put the outcome beyond doubt.
Man of the match: The Samoan halfback pairing of flyhalf Tusi Pisi and scrumhalf Kahn Fotuali'i were a constant threat, while outside centre Paul Perez were forced to make a mountain of tackles – as they ran at his channel all day. He did slip a few though. The loose trio of Alafoti Fa'osiliva, Jack Lam and Ofisa Treviranus also got through a mountain of work. As was to be expected Richie McCaw and Kieran Read were the team's most productive forwards. Ryan Crotty was rock solid on defence and had some decent runs. However, our award goes to All Black flyhalf Dan Carter, who seems to have regained the creative spark that seemed to be lacking earlier this year. His goal-kicking was not too shabby either, with seven successful shots from eight attempts.
Moment of the match: You have to consider George Moala's try, if only for the genius of Dan Carter – who launched at sublime cross-field kick, before Moala beat two defenders. However, our best moment was when Alafoti Fa'osiliva crossed for the hosts, following two powerful individual runs. The back row forward got the hosts on the front foot and then got back to his feet to take another run moments later to rumble over the top of Israel Dagg.
Villain of the match: It was physical and at times brutal, with some massive hit. But overall it was an enjoyable game.
The scorers:
For Samoa:
Try: Fa'osiliva
Con: Nanai-Williams
Pens: Pisi 3
For New Zealand:
Try: Moala
Con: Carter
Pens: Carter 6
Teams:
Samoa: 15 Tim Nanai Williams, 14 Alofa Alofa, 13 Paul Perez, 12 Johnny Leota, 11 Alesana Tuilagi, 10 Tusi Pisi, 9 Kahn Fotuali'i, 8 Ofisa Treviranus (captain), 7 Jack Lam, 6 Alafoti Fa'osiliva, 5 Kane Thompson, 4 Teofilo Paulo, 3 Census Johnston, 2 Wayne ole Avei, 1 Sakaria Taulafo.
Replacements: 16 Ma'atulimanu Leiataua, 17 Viliamu Afatia, 18 Anthony Perenise, 19 Iosefa Tekori, 20 Maurie Fa'asavalu, 21 Pele Cowley, 22 Faialaga Afamasaga, 23 Ken Pisi.
New Zealand: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 George Moala, 13 Ryan Crotty, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Charles Piutau, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Hikawera Elliot, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Brodie Retallick, 20 Matt Todd, 21 Brad Weber, 22 Colin Slade, 23 Charlie Ngatai.
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Angus Gardner (Australia), Rohan Hoffmann (Australia)
TMO: George Ayoub (Australia
