Auckland hold out Samoans

By CHRIS RATTUE

Auckland clung to a 21-16 win over Samoa last night in an epic struggle full of thrills and spills.

Samoan coach John Boe had signalled that his side would stick to the traditional Samoan approach of free-flowing attack and big-hitting defence.

Their attack, especially in the first half, was severely limited by a lack of ball.

But the committed defence kept coming, the sole reason the Samoans took an 8-3 lead into halftime in front of a 12,000 crowd at Eden Park.

The result was settled only in the 77th minute when Auckland produced some fine hand-to-hand combat up the middle of the field, then quickly spread the ball right to Iliesa Tanivula, who skirted round the cover of fullback Tanner Vili.

Vili was Samoa's most inspiring attacker.

Auckland first five-eighths Orene Ai'i slid in to congratulate Tanivula, as Vili gave the Auckland wing a quick congratulatory tap on the back - an indication of the great spirit the match was played in.

Auckland had looked in command of the game early in the second half when Brent Ward kicked two penalties and wing Tony Koonwaiyou scored a try, with Ward adding the sideline conversion.

But Samoa stayed in the battle, and drew level when former Counties-Manukau prop Jeremy Tomuli, now playing in France, ripped over from a maul.

However, Auckland had the last word.

The exhausted Auckland players looked delighted with the win, but there were some worrying signs for the NPC champions, who like other leading teams are missing their All Blacks.

They were drawn into a loose game by the Samoans and Ai'i had an up-and-down match, throwing some strange forward passes and looking awkward with his tactical kicking.

Samoa scored from their only two attacks in the first half.

Auckland would have despaired at their 3-8 halftime deficit, after dominating the ball and territory from the moment captain Xavier Rush steamrolled over first five-eighths Earl Va'a in the first minute.

They faced committed defence on the Samoan goal-line, but Auckland should have taken better advantage of their opportunities.

Auckland lost prop Nick White with a leg injury in the first few minutes. With NPC squad prop John Afoa injured, it meant University's Chris Heard came on for his debut match.

The home side led 3-0 through a Ward penalty for the first half-hour, but former Auckland wing Brian Lima scored for Samoa after a long-range attack.

And on halftime, Va'a kicked a penalty from another breakout inspired by Vili.

Samoa could have made more of the chance but moved the ball to the short side and benefited only when Paul Honiss dished out his 15th and final penalty of the half.

The Samoan team now disperse, with coach Boe naming his World Cup squad in a fortnight.

Auckland 21 (T. Koonwaiyou, I. Tanivula tries; B. Ward 3 pen, con) Samoa 16 (B. Lima, J. Tomuli tries; E. Va'a, T. Vili pens). HT: Samoa 8-3.

* Flanker Josh Blackie continued his outstanding form yesterday with three tries in Otago's 40-13 win over Southland in Dunedin. Otago led 19-0 at halftime.