Samoa thrash PNG – Samoa 115 PNG 7

Samoa took a huge step towards securing the Oceania 1 qualifying spot at Rugby World Cup 2011 with an impressive 115-7 victory over Papua New Guinea (PNG) at Apia Park on Saturday. The overwhelming favourites to secure the Oceania 1 berth and a place in Pool D with defending champions South Africa, Wales, Fiji and the Africa 1 qualifier scored 17 tries in the first leg.

PNG started this match with a try in the first minute, thanks to wing Roland Namo touching down and with Jack Maraha’s conversion giving the visitors a 7-0 advantage it was looking like an upset was possible. However, this was as good as it got as Samoa cut loose and within half an hour had scored 56 points through Semo Sititi’s, Esera Lauina (2), Gavin Williams (2), full back Titi Esau, captain George Stowers and flanker Ofisa Treviranus. Finally Sevens star Uale Mai scored his side’s ninth try to make it 63-7 at he break.

The second half and PNG’s pain continued as futher scores were posted by replacement hooker Andrew Williams, then Lauina getting his hat-trick, Gavin Williams kicking the conversion for the latter to take his personal tally to 30 points in the match. Three other replacements got their names on the scoreboard in Mikaele Pesamino, Reupena Levasa and Ernest Skelton with Andrew Williams claiming his second and Fosi Palaamo touching down before Lauina crossed for his fourth try of the day.

The two sides will meet again for the second leg in Port Moresby next Saturday but even if they can win surely there is no way back from this deficit.

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