Rugby: Hard-hitting Samoans nearly count coup again

The ghosts of Samoa almost returned to haunt nervy Wales, who won but came within inches of another embarrassing defeat in Cardiff.

Twice Wales looked set to break clear but failed to take their chances and were pegged back by the gutsy Samoans.

Seilala Mapusua scored an interception try to set up a nerve-jangling last 20 minutes. Had his kick not rolled out of play with Uale Mai hovering to score, they might very well have delivered the most significant defeat in Warren Gatland's two-year tenure as Wales coach.

Gavin Williams also missed a penalty in front of the posts and Henry Tuilagi was stopped yards short as Samoa finished with a flurry as another special victory was within their grasp.

Wales just held on, as two youngsters ensured history did not repeat itself. Leigh Halfpenny's early try and the coolness of 19-year-old fly-half Dan Biggar's boot ultimately proved the difference.

The leadership of Ryan Jones was just as important as Samoa bullied their hosts for much of the second half.

"It was about as tough as it gets in test rugby," said Jones. "The Samoans gave everything and really hit hard. But our boys dug deep for the victory that we wanted and needed. There is a courage, strong work-rate and work ethic with my guys and it was great we kept them out in the last five or six minutes.

"We have offered so much, but are not quite delivering - we haven't had that clinical edge in our game. It has been a case of the last pass or the last phase letting us down."

There were worrying signs for Wales, not for the first time, against opponents whose name still sends a shudder down Welsh spines following World Cup giant-killing acts of 1991 and 1999.

Samoa had just four days to prepare and named seven British-based players including captain George Stowers.

Stowers said: "We can be so proud for pushing a top-tier nation close. It was a case of so near but after only a few days together, we showed again why we deserve to have more games against the big teams."

Huge Samoan hits jarred bones and shuddered around the Millennium Stadium. A late shoulder barge on Dwayne Peel left the scrum-half sprawled and saw Biggar kick the opening points.

Wales were more match-ready after 80 minutes against the All Blacks last weekend and that sharpness told in the opening minutes when Biggar's cross-field kick created the first try. Halfpenny kept his eye on the ball as it floated enticingly over the head of David Lemi and he collected and dived over for his fifth try in eight tests.

Biggar missed the conversion but added a penalty after 17 minutes. Wales looked set to break loose, taking an early 11-3 lead and dominating set pieces.

Fa'atonu Fili and Halfpenny exchanged penalties either side of half time and Biggar added another after Henry Tuilagi was sin-binned.

But as Wales pressed, Mapusua picked off Biggar's pass to set up the dramatic climax.

- INDEPENDENT