Wales prevail over Manu Samoa

23 June 2017, 12:00AM

Manu Samoa has been beaten by Wales at Apia Park, 19-17 tonight. 

Two tries from Alapati Leiua and Manu Leiataua failed to spark the home team in a tough test match in front of a vocal Apia Park crowd.

Instead a brace of tries to wing Welsh wing Steffan Evans helped Wales secure the win. 

It was their sixth win in 10 tests against Samoa.

Wales, weakened by 16 players involved in the British and Irish Lions, never managed to take control the game with the Samoan defence scrambling well.

Samoa were left to rue countless mistakes which opened the door for the Welsh.

Evans' late try came after prolonged pressure on their tryline.

Wales fell behind early in the match when Samoan wing Alapati Leiua crossed inside the first 10 minutes of the match.

A Tusi Pisi penalty put Samoa up to 10-0, but Wales took the momentum for the latter part of the first half.

Wales threatened the tryline a couple of times but were held out by the spirited Samoan defence.

Gareth Anscombe and Sam Davies both found plenty of reward from their short kicking game.

The Welsh were awarded just three penalties in the first half and Davies kicked all of them.

Wales survived a Samoan wave of attack at the end of the first half.

They repelled Samoa for 11 phases before Tusi Pisi launched a lame dropped goal which was a disappointing end to the half.

Wales had the better of the early stages of the second half.

And they cashed in with their first try when flanker Aaron Shingler charged down a Pisi clearance. Wales retained the ball and Evans crossed for the easy try on the left wing.

Samoa replied in the 52nd minute with a try to hooker Maatulimanu Leiataua after a break through the middle of a ruck from halfback Kahn Fotuali'i.

That put the pressure on Wales, who responded with the match-winning try.

 

Wales 19 (Steffan Evans 2 tries; Sam Davies 3 pen, con) Samoa 17 (Alapati Leiua tries; Tusi Pisi 2 con, pen) HT: 10-9 Samoa

23 June 2017, 12:00AM
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