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Samoa produced a clinical presentation of defeat Zimbabwe 43-7 and open them Nations Rugby World Cup campaign in style, making it seven tries in the sides’ first-ever Test meeting at Wakefield’s DIY Kitchens Stadium.
Tusi Pisi’s side were in control from the start and never looked back after winger Latrell Ah Kiong scored the first of his three tries in the seventh minute.
Ah Kiong’s powerful corner finish gave Samoa an early foothold and the winger doubled his tally 12 minutes later as Zimbabwe struggled to contain the Pacific Islanders out wide.
The pressure continued to mount and Samoa found a third try through Peter Umaga-Jensen after a cross was sparked by Lalomilo Lalomilo. The winger showed sharp reactions to collect Zimbabwe’s pass before sending his midfield partner through to score to give Samoa a commanding 19-0 lead.
Despite losing tight end Richie Asiata to suspension, Samoa comfortably held on to that lead until the break, with Zimbabwe unable to find a way through a well-organised defence.
Any hope of a comeback in the second half was extinguished almost immediately after the break.
Ah Kiong completed an impressive hat-trick just five minutes after the restart before Ben Nee-Nee crashed over two minutes earlier on the stroke of half-time to extend the deficit further. Miracle Faiilagi then added another in the 54th minute as Samoa’s power forward and superior execution began to tell.
Zimbabwe’s resistance was finally rewarded in the 68th minute when Dale Lemon crossed for their only try of the contest and Houston added the conversion to give the Sables something to cheer about.
But Samoa will have the last word.
Debutant AJ Lam marked his first Test appearance with a try two minutes from time to cap off an impressive outing for a side that also debuted former All black people Josh Ioane and Shaun Stevenson, along with Chris Gabriel.
The win was Samoa’s second success at the Rugby World Cup following a 66-19 victory Hong Kong China earlier this year. It’s an encouraging start to their November window after defeat by Georgia and Romania in previous outings.