Samoa topple Force Gold
Manu Samoa has lived up to their world number 10 ranking, defeating the Western Force Gold 28-24 in a
thrilling and undisciplined encounter at Members Equity Stadium in Perth on Saturday night.
The Samoans, despite only scoring one try compared to their hosts four, won the game on the back of seven
penalties goals from fullback Loki Crichton, who plays for the New Zealand based Super 14 team the Waikato
Chiefs.
Samoa posted the first points from a third minute penalty goal, while Force Gold crossed the line two
minutes later through loose-head prop Gareth Hardy. Cameron Shepherd, returning to state duties after playing
for the Wallabies recently, converted the Hardy try.
Poor discipline however saw another penalty goal kicked by Crichton in the 10th minute, and the Samoans
edged to within one point of the lead again.
Force Gold were awarded a penalty try in the 16th minute after the driving maul towards the line, and with
the conversion from fullback Shepherd the hosts moved eight points ahead, 14-6.
|
Rugby Tour Match |
| MANU SAMOA |
28 |
| Tries: | Conversions: |
| Lolo Lui | Loki Crichton 1/1 |
| | Penalties: |
| | Loki Crichton 7/7 |
|
| FORCE GOLD |
24 |
| Tries: | Conversions: |
| Gareth Hardy | C. Shepherd 2/4 |
| Penalty | |
| Digby Ioane | Penalties: |
| Haig Sare | nil |
|
|
@ Members Equity Stadium, Perth |
It was all Samoa from then onwards to half time, Lolo Lui’s try in the 20th minute was followed by a
conversion and three penalty goals from Crichton as Samoa turned an eight-point deficit into a lead by that
margin at the main interval.
Early in the second half, Force Gold flanker Matt Hodgson and lock John Welborn were both shown yellow
cards, while Samoan lock Chad Slade was also shown the sin-bin card.
Crichton put the visitors ahead 25-14 after Hodgson was marched in the 44th minute, and followed with
another penalty goal 20 minutes later.
Force Gold made several changes in the 55th minute, amongst the changes was inside centre Lachlan MacKay,
who missed most of the inaugural Super 14 series with a knee injury.
The hosts rallied late, and with six minutes to play, scoring a third try through winger Digby Ioane.
Unconverted by Shepherd it made the task of overhauling the nine-point margin difficult despite coming
close with their fourth and final try from winger Haig Sare inside the final two minutes.
Next week, the Western Force Gold host Japanese team Toshiba at Tompkins Park, Alfred Cove on Saturday
afternoon. Kick-off at 3:30pm.
• Have a view on this story? Send us your feedback!
| 
