Steyn scores as Scotland bounce back against Samoa
MATCH REPORT: An improved Scotland finished their season-ending Pacific tour on a high note, scoring seven tries to outclass Samoa 41-12 in a fast-paced Test in Auckland on Friday.
The tourists responded to a pre-match call from coach Gregor Townsend to produce a “strong performance” after going down 14-29 to Fiji in Suva last week.
Two tries in the first 15 minutes gave Scotland early control and the result was in hand when they led 22-0 at half-time against the 13th-ranked Samoans, who were fielding a weakened side in their first match of the year.
Samoa never looked like achieving their second win over Scotland in 13 meetings, out-muscled in the set pieces and only coming to life on attack in the second half.
The Scots were missing a host of first-choice players on duty with the British and Irish Lions, while key two figures – midfielder Tom Jordan and loose forward Jamie Ritchie – were ruled out after suffering injuries against Fiji.
Scotland’s opening try went to hooker Ewan Ashman, who was to leave for Melbourne on Sunday with teammate Rory Sutherland to join the Lions tour squad.
The pair will provide player cover for the Lions’ match against a First Nations and Pasifika XV on Tuesday.
Rory Hutchinson crossed after chasing a deft kick from fellow-midfielder Stafford McDowall, while wings Arron Reed and Kyle Steyn both scored slick tries before the interval.
Lock Grant Gilchrist, fullback Kyle Rowe and reserve hooker George Turner added Scottish tries in the second half.
Samoa’s two tries were scored by lock Benjamin Petaia Nee-Nee and centre Duncan Paia’aua.
A Samoan highlight was the debut of loose forward Niko Jones, the son of All Blacks great Michael Jones, who impressed when he came off the bench in the second half.
Scotland finished the tour with two wins from three matches, having opened with a 29-26 defeat of the Maori All Blacks in Whangarei.
The scorers:
For Samoa:
Tries: Nee-Nee, Paia’aua
Con: Umaga
For Scotland:
Tries: Ashman, Hutchinson, Reed, Steyn, Gilchrist, Rowe, Turner
Cons: Burke, Horne 2
Teams:
Samoa: 15 Latrell Smiler Ah-Kiong, 14 Tuna Tuitama, 13 Duncan Paia’aua, 12 Henry Taefu, 11 Tomasi Alosio, 10 Jacob Umaga, 9 Melani Matavao, 8 Taleni Seu, 7 Jonah Mau’u, 5 Samuel Slade, 4 Benjamin Nee-Nee, 3 Michael Alaalatoa, 2 Pita Anae Ah-Sue, 1 Aki Seiuli.
Replacements: 16 Luteru Tolai, 17 Kaynan Siteine-Tua, 18 Marco Fepulea’i, 19 Michael Curry, 20 Niko Jones, 21 Iakopo Petelo-Mapu, 22 Connor Tupai, 23 Rodney Iona.
Scotland: 15 Kyle Rowe, 14 Kyle Steyn, 13 Rory Hutchinson, 12 Stafford McDowall, 11 Arron Reed, 10 Fergus Burke, 9 Jamie Dobie, 8 Matt Fagerson, 7 Rory Darge (captain), 6 Andy Onyeama-Christie, 5 Grant Gilchrist, 4 Gregor Brown, 3 Elliot Millar Mills, 2 Ewan Ashman, 1 Rory Sutherland.
Replacements: 16 George Turner, 17 Nathan McBeth, 18 Fin Richardson, 19 Cameron Henderson, 20 Marshall Sykes, 21 Ben Muncaster, 22 George Horne, 23 Adam Hastings.
Referee: Jordan Way (Australia)
Assistant referees: Nic Berry (Australia), Tevita Rokovereni (Fiji)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
