RWC2011 Pool Match Report: Manu Samoa -v- Namibia

ROTORUA, 14 Sept. - Samoa made a powerful statement of intent in their opening match of Rugby World Cup 2011 by making all the running in a 49-12 victory over Namibia on Wednesday.

Wing Alesana Tuilagi grabbed a hat-trick and scrum half Kahn Fotuali'i recorded the fastest touchdown of the tournament so far as the islanders showcased their attacking capabilities at Rotorua International Stadium.

But for a 10-minute lull early in the second half after they were reduced to 14 men by Paul Williams’ sin-binning, they were all muscle and menace as their forwards linked deftly with their free-running backs.

When Williams returned along with a raft of replacements, they picked up the pace again and stretched the 25-0 half-time lead well beyond the Welwitschias’ reach.

Tuilagi sprinted over for his third in the 53rd minute before Williams got in on the act five minutes later by stepping through the flailing Namibians to make it 40-0.

Only a growing injury toll could dampen their spirits and six of their seven replacements had taken the field with a quarter of the game still remaining.

Namibia grabbed a consolation score when Danie van Wyk ran in for a try from halfway after a neat kick-and-gather by Llewellyn Winkler.

But after flanker Rohan Kitshoff was sin-binned, they came under increased pressure and referee Romain Poite awarded a penalty try when they illegally stepped in to stifle a pushover by the Samoans.

Namibia fly half Theuns Kotze wrapped up proceedings when he scored and converted a try with two minutes remaining.

Fotuali'i had got his side’s RWC 2011 campaign off to the brightest of starts when he fielded a poor clearance kick and bullocked his way along the right touchline to dot down in the corner after 49 seconds. Fly half Tusi Pisi converted a difficult kick.

Namibia,who lost 49-25 to Fiji on Saturday, found it hard to cope with the early onslaught by the powerful islanders and went 10-0 down after a Pisi penalty in the 10th minute.

The Welwitschias tried to muscle their way back into the contest, with skipper Jacques Burger leading from the front, but Samoa's backline was always a threat and left wing Tuilagi sprinted over for Samoa's second try after a pass from number 8 George Stowers in the 17th minute.

Pisi converted and was again on target with a penalty before limping off 10 minutes later with a hamstring injury.

Five minutes before half-time, Tuilagi got his second after a quick tapped penalty by Maurie Fa'asavalu found Stowers again combining well with the three-quarters.

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