Manu Samoa’s match against Belgium next week will decide who will qualify for the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Both sides have come away with two wins each after Samoa defeated Namibia 26-8 and Belgium defeated Brazil 30-27 early this morning.
Samoa opened their account against Namibia through Jonathan Taumateine but all credit is due to Jacob Umaga and Lalomilo Lalomilo.
Umaga manipulated the defence to put Lalomilo barging through a gaping hole before finding Taumateine supporting on the inside for Samoa’s first try.
It didn’t take Samoa long to dive in for their second try and this time it came via Latrell Ah Kiong.
A beautifully executed set piece lineout set up Samoa to air the ball wide where Namibia were short on players.Umaga sent it wide to Ah Kiong who would run through two defenders to score in the corner.
With only 25 minutes into the match Samoa were already up 19-0 after Va’afauese Apelu Maliko’s scored Samoa’s third.
A strong scrum set the perfect platform for the Samoan backline to launch an attack on Namibia.
In one play Samoa went 50 meters and with Namibia scrambling in defence. Taumateine would find Apelu Maliko all alone on the right edge for an easy dive over the white line.
Samoa would go into the second half with a 19-0 lead but just couldn’t replicate the scoring prowess they had done in the first half.
Samoa’s only try in the second half came through a driving maul in the 53rd minute.Namibia didn’t leave empty handed as they managed to score a consolation try for a respectable 26-8 full time scoreline.
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Samoa will be happy to have gotten the job done against Namibia but would be disappointed with the amount of points left out there on the field this morning. Samoa’s handling errors let them down when converting their possession onto the scoreboard.
Samoa are now one win away from securing a RWC spot and now turn all their attention to Belgium.
Captain Theo McFarland and Miracle Fai’ilagi have called on the nation for prayers and continued support as Manu Samoa go into the crucial match against Belgium.
Daniel is a part time editor and reporter who has recently graduated from Waikato University with a Bachelor of Health, Sport and Human Performance (BHSHP). He has recently been bestowed the Lemalu title from Safaatoa Lefaga and the Sulamanaia title from Letogo.
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