Manu Samoa have kicked off their Rugby World Cup Qualifiers campaign with a 48-10 win over Brazil, proving too dominant in the set piece with the South Americans unable to match Samoa’s power and pace.
The Manu got off to a hot start when Latrell Ah-Kiong sliced through the Brazilian defence to set up Jacob Umaga to score under the post.
Umaga is a former England international and son of the great Mike Umaga. The Samoan fullback converted his own try before slotting a penalty 2 minutes later to extend Samoa’s lead to 10-0.
Tumua Manu would receive a yellow card for a dangerous tackle in the 12th minute and Brazil made Samoa pay immediately.
Off a lineout the Brazilians put some air behind the ball and spun it wide to find acres of space. Once it was in the hands of Theo Bastardie it was all over as he powered his way through two Samoans to score.
The yellow card and the conceded try didn’t do any harm to Samoa’s confidence when they turned down a guaranteed three points for a lineout five meters from their tryline.
The driving maul worked wonders for Samoa and debutant Millenium Sanerivi profited from it to score on debut.
Tumua Manu returned to the field after being expelled to the sin bin and redeemed himself instantly with a try of his own.
Samoa patiently built phases five meters from the tryline before another debutant Va’afauese Apelu Maliko neatly found Tumua Manu trailing on the inside for Samoa’s third try.
Three tries became four very quickly through Maliko who was put into the space by Umaga. Maliko would leave two Brazilian’s in his rear view mirror to score on debut.
Samoa went to halftime leading 29-5 and would come out in the second half firing on all cylinders.
The men in blue put on three straight tries to stretch their lead to 48-5, putting the game out of reach for the Brazilians.
A consolation try to the Brazilians made the score line a more respectable 48-10
Samoa’s next match is against Namibia on Friday 4:30am Samoan Time.
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Public Notices
- John Tafi Wins Samoa’s First Medal of the 2026 Commonwealth Games - July 28, 2026
- Brian To’o Dropped by Laurie Daley for State of Origin Decider - June 29, 2026
- Faatamaalii Jenny Lauano Appointed New CEO of Education and Culture - April 2, 2026
