Good morning rugby fans! Welcome to Sports Mole's full text commentary of
Samoa vs. USA from Pool B of the
Rugby World Cup. We have all the action from the Brighton Community Stadium, where our very own Pascal Lemesre is checking out the action.
There are around 25 minutes to go until kickoff, so let's have a look at the teams that will start today.
SAMOA STARTING XV: 1. Taulafo, 2. Avei, 3. Perenise, 4. Paulo, 5. Tekori, 6. Faasavalu, 7. Lam, 8. Treviranus; 9. Fotauali'i, 10. T Pisi, 11. Tuilagi, 12. Lee-Lo, 13. Perez, 14. K Pisi, 15. Nanai-Awilliams
USA STARTING XV: 1. Fry, 2. Fenoglio, 3. Lamositele, 4. Smith, 5. Peterson, 6. McFarland, 7. Durutalo, 8. Manoa; 9. Petri, 10. MacGinty, 11. Wyles, 12. Palamo, 13. Kelly, 14. Ngwenya, 15. Scully
Samoa were the first side to name their World Cup squad on August 12. Among the key men in today's side are hooker Ole Avei, who plies his trade in France with Bordeaux, and Toulouse forward Joe Tekori.
British rugby fans will recognise the names of Bristol's
Anthony Perenise and
Jack Lam in the Samoan forward line today, while Northampton's
Kahn Fotuali'i and
Ken Pisi start alongside Cardiff's
Rey Lee-Lo in the backs.
Time to check in with
Sports Mole's man in Brighton, Pascal Lemesre:
"With the sun out again and everyone still talking about Japan's incredible victory over South Africa here yesterday, can Samoa and USA delight another packed house at The Amex? Samoa have won all four of their previous encounters against the Eagles and a bonus-point victory for Le Manu will take them top of Pool B."
As for the USA side, British rugby fans will recognise props
Eric Fry (Newcastle) and
Titi Lamositele (Saracens), locks
Hayden Smith (Cardiff) and
Greg Peterson (Glasgow), and backs
Chris Wyles (Saracens) and
Blaine Scully (Cardiff).
The national anthems have begun and kickoff is just a few minutes away. Samoa are expected to do well in this one, but the USA have more than enough quality players to produce what would be a shock - just not one as big as Japan's yesterday.
Ahead of the match, USA captain Chris Wyles suggested his side must make the fans proud: "We must wear the USA jersey with pride and honour and do our home fans proud. We have a responsibility to them and to the thousands of children who watch us across the world."
The last word before kickoff goes to Pascal:
"Deadly silent inside the stadium for the Siva Tau, Samoa's pre-game war dance. Some USA players walked towards their opponents at the end - can the Eagles cause another upset in Pool B? Here we go!"
And it begins! Samoa kickoff and the USA have the game's opening phases. Palamo carried the ball in high, and Lee-Lo felt the full force of the American's shoulder through his nose. Early injury warning for Samoa at the Amex.
Lee-Lo has had to go off here, and Mike Stanley has replaced the soon-to-be Cardiff player.
Pascal Lemesre with an update from the Amex following the injury:
You could feel that hit by Palamo in the press box! Lee-Lo looked a little shaken up coming past us down the tunnel, but he was walking fine and will hope to return to the match.
Scrappy from the USA early on at the Amex, as two scrums lead to Samoan penalties. From the second, Samoa win the resulting line out, and the ball moves across to the right flank with pace, but the ball escapes at the breakdown and the USA recover through Alan McGinty, who clears his lines.
Penalty advantage to Samoa played by the referee after Lam was brought down illegally. With no advantage played there's a kick to come from Pisi.
PENALTY! Samoa 3-0 USA (Tusi Pisi)
10 minutes gone at the Amex, and Samoa lead 3-0.
First spell of pressure from the USA, as MacGinty plays a useful kick into the corner. Samoa win the lineout, but Pisi can only clear to the 22-metre line.
Tight game so far, Faasavalu leads a counter attack for Samoa before losing the ball. Scrum down, USA ball. The Americans then give away a penalty, and Pisi tries to double his side's lead - rather optimistically - but misses.
Lee-Lo is back on the field by the way, after his period as a blood replacement.
The referee has stopped the clock as MacGinley receives treatment following a heavy challenge. The American is back on his feet, and looks to be okay to continue.
Pascal Lemesre reports from the Amex:
The States are more than matching Le Manu here, but they've got to be careful of making mistakes and giving away easy penalties. Samoa will want to open up a decent half-time lead as the US have dominated them in second halves in recent meetings.
TRY! Samoa 8-0 USA (Tim Nanai-Williams)
Samoa score the game's first try in the corner through Nanai-Williams. From a scrum in front of the posts, Pisi collects the ball and produces a grubber into the corner that glides past the USA defence, Nanai-Williams pounces onto the ball for the try. The conversion is missed, and Samoa lead 8-0.
From the kickoff, Samoa look threatening and break through Tekori, but the lock throws a forward pass towards Faasavalu and the move breaks down. USA look shaken after the try, but there's plenty of time for the side to compose themselves.
The referee has stopped time as Samoa captain Treviranus receives treatment for an injury, but he looks okay to continue.
From a lineout, Samoa put pressure on the USA defence, before
Tusi Pisi attempts to place a kick in the corner. Pisi gets it wrong though, but Samoa win the ball back after the resulting lineout.
Brilliant run from
Jack Lam, who bursts through the first line of American defence before being brought down 20 yards later. The USA win the ball back from the ruck, but are penalised in front of the sticks for not releasing the ball. Pisi has a good opportunity now to extend the lead.
PENALTY! Samoa 11-0 USA (Tusi Pisi)
Which he does with ease! Samoa have an 11-point lead over the USA now, who need to get it together. From the kickoff, Nanai-Williams uses his pace to burst past the American defence, but loses the ball - potentially some points saved there.
Penalty given to the USA as Samoa are offside at the breakdown. A good opportunity for the Americans now, who had just put together their best spell of the match, keeping the pressure on the 22. MacGintey to kick.
PENALTY! Samoa 11-3 USA (AJ MacGinty)
TRY! Samoa 11-8 USA (Chris Wyles)
What a brilliant try by the USA! Lineout for Samoa in the USA half after MacGinty gets a kick wrong, but the Americans win it, and make a quick break down the pitch. The backs exchange some swift passes, and the ball finds the captain Wyles, who scores his side's first try of the tournament. We have a game on now.
Conversion missed by MacGinty, so Samoa lead by three. That was sheer brilliance from the USA, can they do it again?
Penalty for Samoa, after Petri comes into the ruck offside. This is kickable...
PENALTY! Samoa 14-8 USA (Tusi Pisi)
USA trying to find another try before half time here, moving the ball quickly down the line and trying to find a way past Samoa.
HALF TIME! Samoa 14-8 USA
Half time at the Amex and Samoa lead 14-8. The USA have looked dangerous on the break, scoring a majestic try, but have suffered from moments of ill-discipline. The game is very much wide open for the second half though.
You can read all about the first half from our man at the Amex, Pascal Lemesre,
here.
A quick look at the stats - Samoa have had 61% of the territory and 58% of the possession, but the USA have won more tackles (50 to 44). Penalties have been influential in the game so far, and the USA have conceded seven to Samoa's two in the first half. The Americans need to tighten up that part of the game if they are to complete a comeback in the second half.
Of course, the stats don't tell you how good that USA break was for the try, and that moment will give the side immense confidence going into the second 40 minutes.
Last word of half time goes to Pascal:
"Samoa have never lost to the States, but that could change today. The underdogs have looked dangerous when in Manu territory and that try showcased the speed at which the Eagles' backline can operate. Newcastle Falcons winger Alesana Tuilagi looks to be Samoa's biggest danger, but he's been thwarted by the US's stubborn defence so far."
KICK OFF! Samoa 14-8 USA
From the kickoff, the USA make a great start as Palamo breaks a tackle and continues to run for 20 metres, before finding McFarland, who is brought down and loses the ball. Samoa win a scrum inside their own half.
Well-worked lineout from the USA after a poor kick by Tusi Pisi. The Americans work the ball to the left, and run in a number of phases just inside the Samoan half, before giving away a penalty from a ruck at the 11th phase.
TRY! Samoa 19-8 USA Ofisa Treviranus
Try, with a little help from the TMO. After a lineout by the USA 22, the ball is brought over to the right, where it becomes loose. TMO decides an American touched it, and Treviranus claimed the ball to score over the line. Samoa are pulling away now, although Pisi missed the conversion.
More Samoan pressure from the kickoff, as the side put pressure on the USA from the opposition 22. Samoa are awarded a penalty after Duratelo commits a high tackle, Pisi in front of the posts...
PENALTY! Samoa 22-8 USA (Tusi Pisi)
Well penalties undid the USA in the first half, as we said, and now they've proved highly costly for the Americans in the second. Samoa look likely to run away with this now.
Thiel and Dolan have been brought on for the USA.
Pascal Lemesre from the Amex:
The States are now two converted tries behind and haven't started the second half how they would have liked. Massive London Welsh centre Palamo caused problems when he got the ball in the first half and the Eagles might be wise to fling the ball his way more often.
PENALTY! Samoa 22-11 USA (AJ MacGinty)
The USA move into double figures with a kick from MacGinty, reducing the deficit to 11 points.
Samoa lose the ball in their own half, and the USA backs spin the ball out to the right, as Ngwenya uses his pace to make some yards. The USA give away another penalty from the ruck though, and their hard work is undone.
Pascal Lemesre live from the Amex after Ngwenya's break:
Head in hands for some of the USA players as they concede their 11th penalty of the match. It was a fantastic break down the right wing by Takudzwa Ngwenya - the Eagles have to realise that their best weapon is the speed of their backs.
Greg Peterson is replaced for the USA by Danny Barrett.
Another error by the USA, after a promising move, the ball finds Manoa who loses out. Samoa are awarded a scrum in the USA half.
The USA win it back and are awarded a scrum, but from it Palamo fails to release the ball from a maul, and Samoa recover. Every time that the USA look to have a good opportunity, they make a mistake, and time is running out for them to complete a comeback.
Terrific run from Nguenya, who breaks from the right flank diagonally to make 30 metres before being brought down at the the opposing touchline. Lineout for Samoa in the USA half, and the ball moves across to Tuilagi on the left wing, who tries to play it to his centre but loses the ball. Excitement for the fans at the Amex.
McFarland is penalised for crossing, and Samoa have their 12th penalty of the day, on the left touch but inside the American half...
PENALTY! Samoa 25-11 USA (Michael Stanley)
That penalty might have just killed off the USA. Stanley produced a stunning kick from the wing to extend Samoa's lead to 14 points with 10 minutes to go in regulation time.
Great play by the USA, who keep the ball alive through the backs for a number of phases - great footwork in particular from Palamo. Their reward is a penalty, as Tuilagi produces an illegal hand-off.
Pascal Lemesre from the Amex:
The States have never lost by more than seven points against Samoa, but are in real danger of doing so here. They're in a good position here and have to make it count if they are to have any chance of salvaging something from this match.
TRY! Samoa 25-16 USA (Chris Baumann)
Right on Mr Lemesre's cue, the USA reduce their deficit through the replacement Baumann. Conversion missed by MacGinty though, which could prove to be decisive with less than five minutes of regulation time remaining.
Nguenya is wrestled into touch just inside the Samoan half after some positive play from the USA. Samoa win the lineout, and look to keep hold of the ball, presumably for the remainder of the 80.
Another penalty for Samoa as the American defender is penalised for coming into the ruck offside. Samoa look to be on their way to a nine-point win in Brighton.
FULL TIME! Samoa 25-16 USA
Pascal Lemesre live from the Amex:
A win for Le Manu, then, but Stephen Betham's side will have to play better if they are to overhaul the other three teams, South Africa, Scotland and Japan, in their other pool fixtures. The US might regard this as a missed chance and they will have to improve if they are to bag any points from what is looking like a tough and perhaps the most even group in the tournament.
Read all about Samoa's victory
here.
So a big win for Samoa in an open pool today. That's all we have time for with this one, thanks for keeping up to date with Sports Mole. Stay tuned for more from the Rugby World Cup, as Wales take on Uruguay at 2:30 - our coverage will begin shortly.
