SAMOA A have made it two wins out two as they brushed off a gutsy Canada A side 19-17 in the World Rugby Pacific Challenge.
While the Pacific nation is content with the win, the Canadian coaching panel were not happy with the outcome and raised eyebrows on the penalties given against them.
It was Canada A who broke the deadlock with Pat Kay giving the side the lead with the boot. Samoa replied soon enough with a converted try and then a penalty from the boots of Titi Esau which saw them extend their lead to 10-3.
It was a tight game with neither sides giving in. Canadian hooker Benot Pifferro with the aid of his teammates crashed over to score near the posts in the 37thminute. Canada levelling the score.
Then a mistake by Samoa wing Henry Sauu on the stroke of halftime as he tapped a Canada clearance for touch inwards, giving possession to Ciaran Hearn who scored and Canada led 17-10 at halftime.
Samoa sevens player and flyhalf Patrick Fa’apale kicked three penalties in the second spell to give the Samoans a win.
Canada had their captain Hubert Buydens sin-binned in the first-half and then sent off with about eight minutes remaining with Thyssen De Goede sin-binned.
Samoan vice-captain Andrew Williams said the results would sure please fans back home.
“It was very good game for us. It just lifted the spirit of the boys and would sure delight the fans back home,” he said,
“Canada were a very tough opponent. Full credit to them as they kept fighting until the end. Ours boys too they fought back as well. It was a team effort.”
Canada vice-captain John Moonlight said they would watch the videos to see why their captain was shown the yellow card twice.
“We will have to watch the video to see what happened. But he was out there leading by example with his physicality,” Moonlight said.
“We had silly knock ons and silly passes and also some very bad kicks. We will have to work on that.”
Samoa face Fiji Warriors while Canada A will meet Argentina Pampas.
