Samoa have held off a valiant comeback by the USA to take a 21-16 win in their Pacific Nations Cup clash today.
In front of over 10,000 fans in San Jose, Samoa put on a first-half clinic, crossing twice in remarkable fashion to post a comprehensive 21-3 half-time advantage.
Counties Manakau fullback Ashee Tuala and big-hitting winger Alesana Tuilagi were a duo the United States found hard to stop, with the two well-regarded players combining to score Samoa's only two tries in the encounter.
After the teams slotted early penalties, Tuilagi was the first to cross after Tuala brilliantly returned an aimless clearing kick, stepping and juking past several players before offloading from the ground to Tuilagi who stormed under the posts to give Samoa an 11-3 advantage.
Tuilagi then turned provider, showing a side to his game not often seen with a crossfield chip kick finding Tuala who crossed for Samoa's second.
