Junior ABs prove too much for Samoa

Another comprehensive for mature Juniors

Manu Samoa flunked their inaugural Pacific Five Nations exam, going down 56-12 to the Junior All Blacks in North Harbour on Friday evening.

Despite seven changes to the XV that defeated Fiji last week, the JABs once again belied their slightly absurd moniker with a performance of consummate professionalism and maturity.

The match featured the unusual instance of brothers, directly marking each other, scoring tries for opposing teams in an international.

Auckland halfback John Senio scored the first try of the match for Samoa after only two minutes while Canterbury No.9 Kevin Senio scored for the Junior All Blacks two minutes before half-time.

And the family business didn't stop there – New Zealand prop John Schwalger, whose cousin Mahonri Schwalger played at hooker for Samoa, also scored a try.

John Senio's early score seemed to promise a plucky performance from a Samoan team drawn from players based in New Zealand, Japan, Scotland, England, Italy and France – but their defiance quickly faded.

Nick Williams's pair of tries in the middle of the first half turned the tide in favour of the JABs and Jimmy Gopperth's three first-half penalties took the game beyond Samoa's reach.

Indeed, the New Zealanders were able to establish control in almost every facet of the game. They imposed huge pressure on the Samoan scrum, tested their line-out and played at a pace which stretched Samoan fitness.

"We said before the game we must start well, we must score first and we did that – but we didn't go on with it," said Samoa captain Semo Sititi.

Samoa have just over a week to prepare themselves for their next encounter, against Japan in New Plymouth.

The JABs face Tonga in part two of the double header on June 17, and captain Corey Flynn is confident that his side can build on their win over Samoa.

"We really went out there to take it physically to their big guys and we did that but we also did it in a smart way, which was very pleasing," he said.

The scorers:

For Junior All Blacks:
Tries: Williams 2, Senio, Schwalger, Atiga, Gopperth, Waqaseduadua
Cons: Gopperth 6
Pens: Gopperth 3

For Manu Samoa:
Tries: Senio, Feaunati
Con: Sanft