Wales overcame Seti Tafua and Samoa 33-20 at Shaw's Bridge
Photo: Stephen Scullion
9 APRIL 2007
By Ryan Jennings
Wales beat Samoa 33-20 in a free flowing match in Division A at the IRB Under 19 World Championship 2007 to record their first win of the tournament.
Leigh Halfpenny opened the scoring after 10 minutes with a penalty. Samoan scrum half Alatasi Tupou was penalised for joining a ruck from the side following strong Welsh pressure.
Samoa hit back immediately with a breakaway try from flanker Afa Aiono, who had charged down David Langdon’s attempt at a drop goal. Titi Jnr Esau added two points from the conversion.
It didn’t take Wales long to retake the lead following slick handling in the backs. Centre Luke Ford cut inside to set up a ruck from which flanker Jevon Groves crossed for Wales’ opening try.
Not long before the break there was a five minute burst of scoring. Esau kicked two penalties either side of Halfpenny’s second try and conversion to put Wales 15-13 ahead at half time.
Extended lead
In the opening minutes of the second period Halfpenny stretched Wales’ lead further with two penalties, whilst second row Seti Tafua was yellow carded for killing the ball.
Wales took advantage of being a man up when Gareth Williams put in a cross field kick which Halfpenny caught to score his second try of the match.
As the match continued the tension grew when Samoa sought in vain to get back into the game. The tension then boiled over when Atenai Aii was sent off for stamping.
Rhys Williams added a further try for Wales in the closing minutes, which Halfpenny converted to finish with a personal tally of 17 points.
Before the end Samoa grabbed a second try when Aiono took a short pass and offloaded to replacement Faialaga Afamasaga, who scored under the posts, which Alatasi Tupou converted.
Wales now face a tough match against South American Under 19 champions Argentina on Friday, whilst Samoa meets Japan who have also lost both their matches.
QUOTES
Samoa coach Mauia Vaapuu Vitale: “Discipline can be a problem but we will look to see the video tape to make sure the red card was actually a red card decision. There was a bit of trouble from both sides I thought.”
“I’m not sure how Esua is but I think it could be an ankle strain.”
Wales assistant coach Patrick Horgan: “Our defence improved a great deal from our last game against New Zealand and I think that contributed a whole lot to our win today.”
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