Samoa see red after Thomson punch
The lock forward was sent off in the Pacific Islanders' 24-27 defeat in a warm-up match afainst the Barbarians at London's Olympic Stadium.
Samoa had to play most the match a man down after Thompson was shown a red card for punching Australia hooker Saia Fainga'a in the 16th minute.
The Barbarians scored tries through Adam Thomson (two), Liam Gill, and Ben Tapuai (two) – with Samoa responding through Anthony Perenise, Ken Pisi and Jack Lam.
All Black flank Thomson powered over for an early try as the Barbarians, Rugby Union's most celebrated invitational side, made a strong start.
Christian Leali'ifano, who was left out of the Wallabies' World Cup squad, missed the conversion.
But Samoa were soon back on level terms through prop Perenise, who plays for English side Bristol, going over for a try converted by Tusi Pisi.
Thompson then saw red for his punch on Fainga'a, with the Wallaby prop being shown a yellow card for his part in the incident.
Tusi Pisi's penalty extended Samoa's lead to five points before Queensland flank Gill capped a driving maul with a well-worked try to bring the Barbarians back into the match.
An embarrassing break in the match followed when water sprinklers at the ground came on for no apparent reason, drenching several Samoa players.
This was the Olympic Stadium's debut as a rugby ground and officials will be desperate to avoid a repeat of such incidences during the World Cup.
When play resumed, the Barbarians scored their third try in the 29th minute when centre Tapuai went over, after a break from scrumhalf and fellow Wallaby Luke Burgess.
Samoa tied the game up at 17-all when wing Ken Pisi was first to Northampton teammate Kahn Fotuali'i's grubber kick as he scooped up the ball for a try in the corner, again converted by Tusi Pisi.
Soon after the break, Thomson went over from a ruck to score his second try, before the impressive Lam again levelled the scores with a try under the posts following his own quicky-taken tap penalty.
Tapuai then grabbed his second try of the match in the 63rd minute, with the 14-strong Samoans unable to fashion a winning score.
Man of the Match: Barbarian flank Adam Thomson had a huge impact on the match and scored two tries.
Moment of the Match: Kane Thompson's punch on Australian hooker Saia Fainga'a put the Samoans on the back foot for most of the match and ultimately gave the Barbarians the upper hand.
Villain of the Match: This has to go to Kane Thompson for his red card in the 16th minute.
The scorers:
For Barbarians:
Tries: Thompson 2, Gill, Tapuai 2
Cons: Lealiifano
For Samoa:
Tries: Perenise, K Pisi, Lam
Con: T Pisi 2, Williams
Pen: T Pisi
Yellow cards: Saia Fainga'a (Barbarians, 16 – foul play, punching), Patrick Fa'apale (Samoa, 71 – professional foul, slapping the ball down)
Red card: Kane Thompson (Samoa, 16 – foul play, punching)
Teams:
Barbarians: 15 Paul Williams, 14 Taqele Naiyaravoro, 13 Ben Tapuai, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Dwayne Sweeney, 10 Christian Lealiifano, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Liam Gill, 6 Adam Thomson, 5 Luke Jones, 4 Bakkies Botha (captain), 3 Carl Hayman, 2 Saia Fainga'a, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements: 16 Tolu Latu, 17 Josh Hohneck, 18 Nicolaas van Dyk, 19 Ali Williams, 20 Jacques Potgieter, 21 Nic Groom, 22 Mike Harris, 23 Tom English.
Samoa: 15 Tim Nanai-Williams, 14 Fa'atoina Autagavaia, 13 Paul Perez, 12 Rey Lee-Lo, 11 Ken Pisi, 10 Tusi Pisi, 9 Kahn Fotuali'i, 8 Ofisa Treviranus, 7 Jack Lam, 6 Maurie Fa'asavalu, 5 Kane Thompson, 4 Filo Paulo, 3 Anthony Perenise, 2 Ole Avei, 1 Sakaria Taulafo.
Replacements: 16 Manu Leiataua, 17 Viliamu Afatia, 18 Jake Grey, 19 Faifili Levave, 20 Vavae Tuilagi, 21 Vavao Afemai, 22 Patrick Faapale, 23 Johnny Leota.
Referee: Johnny Lacey (Ireland)
Assistant Referees: Greg Garner (England), Paul Dix (England)
TMO: Sean Davey (England)
Source: Agence France-Presse
