www.samoaobserver.ws/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5430&Itemid=54Toa Samoa romp Kumuls
Written by Filo Taituuga
Sunday, 08 March 2009 15:09
Kumuls centre Larson Marabi attempts to break the defence. Photo: Tofilau Uelese Tofilau
Toa Samoa romped over a PNG Kumuls Resident side 26-18 to cap a historic win at Apia Park yesterday, and earmark a new era for Toa Samoa.
The Kumuls were their own worst enemy, delivering an error ridden performance from the outset.
Toa Samoa capitalized on all their opportunities to secure an impressive win and kick start its international season in fine form.
Toa Samoa got off to a dream start after the Kumuls overcooked the kick restart at the first whistle giving Toa Samoa possession.
Bustling prop Maugaloto Palu broke the Kumuls defence in the opening minute of play to put Samoa in a good attacking position. Two tackles later live wire hooker Lepupa Taualagi took advantage of some disorganised defence from dummy half to put the Kumuls on the backburner early. Taualagi was unable to add the extra’s.
The Kumuls replied with some punishing tackles before suffering a major setback with centre Anton Tui yellow carded for a pole driving tackle on Taualagi leaving his team mates down to 12 players.
Samoa took advantage of their extra numbers using Palu and front row partner Tile Poutoa to cart the ball up and commit the Kumuls defence before using its width and overlap outside.
Standoff Afa Lesa cashed in after stepping inside his marker to score Samoa’s second try down the right touch. The conversion going astray.
The Kumuls were their own worst enemy, spilling ball and often turning over possession. Kumuls rake Benjamin John kept face after darting from the ruck to slip past some feeble Samoa tacklers to score the Kumuls first try. John added the conversion to close the gap by two points.
The Kumuls refused to take a penalty shot in front of the sticks and their confidence was rewarded with a good try to hard working lock George Moni. John slotted the conversion to give the visitors the lead for the first time.
Theylooked dangerous with ball in hand when they settled but often pushed too many passes or poor hands let them down.
Toa Samoa captain Paul Chan Tung, ends a scorching run with a try yesterday, the Kumuls unable to stop him. Toa Samoa won 26-18.
Samoa squandered two try scoring opportunities to end the first spell, one after right wing Tanielu Pasene was bundled to the left corner flag and the second after Taualagi marginally knocked forward the pill on the try line.
At the half time whistle the crowd broke into a thundering applause to acknowledge an entertaining first half.
Pace man Meki Magele got the crowd on its feet at the start of the second half after sneaking down the left touch to nail the equalizer and finish off a move that started from a scrum on the opposite flank.
Replacement pivot Ki Anufe slotted the sideline conversion to give Samoa back the lead.
Kumuls big back rower Sigfried Gande made his presence felt dishing some big tackles and giving the crowd plenty to cheer about.
Samoa captain Paul Chan Tung opened the floodgates midway through the second half after scooping a loose Kumuls pass to run 60m to beat a fledging cover to the try line, sending the crowd into pandemonium.
Ki Anufe converted the two extra points to increase Samoa lead by eight.
Kumuls fullback Joshua Poria ignited a late resurgence and closed the margin after finding the Samoa defence wanting out wide. John closed the score with a successful conversion.
An uncharacteristic error by Kumuls prop Nixon Kolo at the kick restart gave Samoa its first real opportunity to snatch the game five metres out.
Taualagi scoring the match winner and bagging his second try near the death to seal the game for Toa Samoa. Ki Anufe added the extras to put the nail in the coffin and give Samoa an impressive historic win at home.
“All credit to Toa Samoa, they capitalized on all their opportunities to win this game,” said a disappointed Kumuls Resident coach Michael Marum.
“We made too many mistakes and dropped balls, and put pressure on ourselves in especially in the last twenty minutes,” he said.
At the sound of the final hooter an ecstatic Lauaki Fred Tuilagi raised his arms in triumph and applauded the home crowd.
“PNG are a very good side. As I said last week and this week, our goal was not to come second best but to win.”
Lauaki acknowledged the win was satisfying but the making of this team was even special.
