Samoa were hugely impressive as they pounded past an outclassed Namibia with giant winger Alesani Tuilagi grabbing a hat-trick of tries in a 49-12 hammering in Rotorua. The physical Samoans clocked up six tries to two and the fastest first try of the tournament against the outgunned Africans.
Meanwhile, Canada stunned old World Cup rivals Tonga 25-20 in Whangarei after coming from behind with two late tries. The Canadians trailed by seven points with 13 minutes to go but scores from Aaron Carpenter and Phil MacKenzie broke Tongan hearts 25-20.
Scotland’s 15-6 win over gutsy Georgia in Invercargill came just four days after two late tries saved their blushes in a 34-24 win over Romania and it means they have collected nine points from their two opening games to top Pool B. Georgian fly-half Merab Kvirikashvili handed his side an unlikely lead against the run of play before Dan Parks levelled the scores. From there the men in the number 10 shirts traded blows with the boot and with Scotland’s pack on top there was only one winner in difficult conditions.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 15th, 2011.
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