A try by the visiting Wales Dragons team six minutes before full time was enough to secure a hard fought 19 – 17 win over Manu Samoa in Apia last night.
Samoa had started like they did against the All Blacks last week end and soon secured the first try just three minutes into the game.
After winning the kick off, Manu Samoa attacked down the left side and then spun it back to the right where a long cut out pass from scrum half Kahn Fotuali’i found Alapati Leiua for a try in the corner. And things were looking rosy with the conversion from out wide by Tusi Pisi.
A penalty to Manu Samoa just five minutes later saw Pisi extend the Manu Samoa lead to 10 nil.
Both sides struggled to find their rhythm but Wales hung in there and forced Manu Samoa errors to secure three penalties which Sam Davies converted to bring the first half to an end with a 1 point lead to Manu Samoa, 10 – 9.
Just 2 minutes into the second half and Wales charged down a Tusi Pisi clearing kick which resulted in try out wide which Sam Davies could not convert to give Wales the lead 10 – 14.
Wales controlled tempo of the game in the second half but the continuous rain damped spirits but certainly not the spectators who braved the elements to the last whistle.
Thirteen minutes into the second half and Kahn Fotuali’i charges straight forward catching the Welsh off guard as he passed to hooker Leiataua who scored in the corner and with the Pisi conversation took Manu Samoa ahead 17 points to 14.
The game became a game of chess as possession was lost and secured several times.
But in the 73rd minute Wales steals a line out and drive forward to secure a try in the corner which Davies could not convert but still gave them the lead 19 – 17
In the end the team who held on to possession also hung on to the win in very wet conditions.
Final score Wales 19 Manu Samoa 17
