Monday, December 23, 2024

England 34-18 Samoa: Hosts claim hard-fought win in series opener

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While Wane seemed to enjoy the late fracas, he will have taken greater joy at seeing his side look so accomplished at times with ball in hand.

More importantly, though, he will now demand his squad improve and wrap up the series next weekend against one of the sport’s top-tier nations.

Samoa, who only arrived in the UK just over a week ago, appeared to struggle in the opening stages of this encounter and were already 16-0 behind before they began to find their feet.

Aside from two interception tries, the first from a loose pass from Daryl Clark and the second a mistake from Kai Pearce-Paul, England were both ruthless and opportunistic in their execution and always had Harry Smith’s dependable left boot to rely upon for field position.

One booming first half-kick caught out former New Zealand dual-code international Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.

However, stand-off Williams stole the show with his evasive running setting the tone for England’s attacks.

Farnworth, on his first appearance for his country since their dramatic golden-point loss to Samoa two years ago, also excelled with his pass to Radley, arriving at a key time during proceedings.

England: Welsby, Young, Newman, Farnworth, Ashton, Williams, Smith, Havard, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Radley.

Interchanges: Lewis, Knowles, McMeeken, Burgess.

Samoa: Tuivasa-Sheck, Skelton, Tago, Pauga, Mariner, Milford, Luai, Molo, Tevaga, May, Blore Anae Ulisese, Nanai, Asiata.

Interchanges: Seuala-Talagi, Leilua, Vaalepu, Chan Kum Tong.

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