O'Gara takes Ireland to 12th victory of season

APIA - First five-eighth Ronan O'Gara scored 32 points including two tries as Ireland beat Samoa 40-14 yesterday.

It was Ireland's 12th win in 14 internationals this season.

Fears that Ireland might wilt in the heat and high Pacific Island humidity proved unfounded when the tourists overwhelmed Samoa with 31 second-half points after leading 9-7 at halftime.

O'Gara scored two of Ireland's four tries and added two conversions, five penalties and a drop goal in a strong individual performance. His three first-half penalties lifted Ireland to a narrow halftime lead.

Samoa surprised the tourists with a try to wing Ron Fanuatanu in the middle of the first half and, with the conversion by first five-eighth Earl Va'a, briefly led 7-6.

But O'Gara, playing with poise and assurance, added his third penalty from as many attempts to restore Ireland's 9-7 lead at the break.

The win ended a season in which Ireland were beaten only by England and Australia.

* Tonga kicked off their two-match Australian tour with a 24-12 win over Queensland A at Albert Park on the Gold Coast.

The Tongans scored four tries to two in an unconvincing display against the second-string Reds. Captain Inoke Afeaki led the way for the tourists and capped his man-of-the-match effort by scoring the only second-half try.

The Tongans led 19-12 at halftime and looked like blowing away the Queenslanders when Afeaki drove over soon after the break.

Despite enjoying the bulk of possession in the second half, Tonga could not consistently recycle the ball.

Tongan coach Jim Love was disappointed with his side's performance as well as the refereeing of Sydney whistleblower James Dickson.

"I thought the referee allowed them to kill our ball in the rucks and mauls," he said.

"But we gave a lot of young players an opportunity and they stepped up to it. I was particularly pleased with that."

- AGENCIES