The Wallabies rounded off their World Cup preparations with a 34-15 win over Samoa in Sydney on Saturday.
The Wallabies may have mixed feelings about their final hit-out before the World Cup. While they made a number of handling errors and missed four kicks at goal, they created a number of scoring chances.
The hosts may have scored more than four tries in the first half if not for their own mistakes. Bernard Foley pushed three conversion attempts wide, and so the Wallabies went into the break with a relatively modest 22-3 lead.
Samoa did well to keep the Wallabies in check after half time. The visitors’ scrum fired to set up a try for Dwayne Polataivao in the 52nd minute. At 22-8 the Pacific Islanders were still in the contest.
Samoa took advantage of some poor Wallabies defending to set Polataivao up for a second try. Tusi Pisi’s conversion reduced the deficit to seven points.
Dayne Haylett-Petty and Matt Toomua crossed the line shortly before full time, though, to secure the result for the hosts.
The Wallabies will face Fiji in their first World Cup pool match in Sapporo in two weeks’ time. Samoa will tackle Russia in Kumagaya on 24 September.
Wallabies – Tries: Adam Coleman, Marika Koroibete, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Lukhan Salakaia-
Samoa – Try: Dwayne Polataivao (2). Conversion: Tusi Pisi. Penalty: Pisi.
Wallabies – 15 Tom Banks, 14 Dane Haylett-Petty, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Matt Toomua, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Will Genia, 8 Jack Dempsey, 7 David Pocock (c), 6 Lukhan Salakaia-
Subs: 16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 Scott Sio, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Lukes Jones, 20 Liam Wright, 21 Rob Valetini, 22 Nick Phipps, 23 James O’Connor.
Samoa – 15 Tim Nanai-Williams, 14 Belgium Tuatagaloa, 13 Alapati Leiua, 12 Reynold Lee-Lo, 11 Ed Fidow, 10 Tusi Pisi, 9 Scott Malolua, 8 Afaesetiti Amosa, 7 Jack Lam (c), 6 TJ Ioane, 5 Kane Leaupepe, 4 Teofilo Paulo, 3 Michael Alaalatoa, 2 Ray Niuia, 1 Jordan Lay.
Subs: 16 Motu Matu’u, 17 Paul Alo-Emile, 18 Logovi’i Mulipola, 19 Josh Tyrell, 20 Seilala Lam, 21 Dwayne Polataivao, 22 AJ Alatimu, 23 Ah See Tuala.
Photo: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images
