Connacht squeeze past Samoa

CONNACHT’S young guns denied Manu Samoa a first win on their Northern Hemisphere tour at the Galway Sportsground last evening.

Samoa, ranked 11th in the world, had looked to exploit their renowned Sevens prowess, but came up against a determined, if experimental, Connacht outfit who gave their opponents every bit as good as they got in the physical exchanges.

The victory, before 2,300 spectators, was a huge fillip for Connacht’s future stars, several of whom were starting their first match of the season, and coach Eric Elwood, who gave eight graduates of the Connacht Academy their opportunity, was delighted.

“Any time you win against an international side is great, but great credit to the youngsters. Their application and desire to play rugby was fantastic.”

Samoa edged the first half by a two tries to one, but outhalf Miah Nikora was on target with three penalties to ensure the home side were just a single point behind at the break, 16-17.

The Samoans looked more comfortable attacking with the ball in hand and from broken play, but it was not until the 19th minute that their flanker Mikioka Timoteo had the power to force a gap through the Connacht cover from a sweet reverse pass.

Before that Samoan outhalf and sevens player Lolo Lui and Connacht’s Miah Nikora had traded penalties.

Connacht ensured they came away with points on each of their forays into their opponents’ 22 as they willingly showed their attacking skills, prompted by some swift passing from Nikora, supported by the experienced Troy Nathan at fullback, and with U20 player Eoin Griffin comfortable in the centre partnership with Aidan Wynne.

Connacht gifted Samoa a 34th minute try when flanker Selesele broke from the ruck to waltz through a porous cover, but their response was immediate. Nathan found the gap for the supporting Tuohy who dotted down, leaving just a point in it.

Nikora knocked over a penalty when scrum half Poluleuligaga was yellow-carded to take a two-point lead after the restart, but Samoa hit back. Lui set up a super attack which replacement Brando Vaaulu finished for a third try.

The introduction of captain John Muldoon, however, added impetus to the home side. Patient and persistent driving was rewarded when Muldoon got the touchdown, and Nikora, who was 100%& on target all evening, added the extras, giving Connacht a 26-22 lead after 62 minutes. Thereafter the home side held the initiative, and it was enough to see Connacht record a second win over a Samoan visiting side since Western Samoa’s visit in 1988.

CONNACHT: T Nathan, S Monaghan, E Griffin, A Wynne, B Tuohy, M Nikora, C Willis, R Loughney, A Flavin, B Fa’amausili, A Browne, B Upton, E McKeon, M McComish, E Taylor.

Replacements: D Rogers for Fa’amausili 52m, J Muldoon for McKeown 52m, D Fanning for Monaghan 55, C O’Loughlin for Willis 59m, D Murphy for Flavin 65; S Conneely for Taylor and R Sweeney for Loughney 74m.

MANU SAMOA: M Pesamino, F Otto, U Setu, J Helleur, S Sinoti, L Lui(cpt), J Poluleluligaga, S Lemalu, T Paulo, L Mulipola, C Slade, D Leo, M Timoteo, F Selesele, R Muagututia.

Replacements: B Vaaulu for Setu HT, Leleimalefaga for Mulipolo 60m, U Mai for Poluleuigaga 54m, G Williams for Pessamino 72, J Tekori for Timeteo 76m.

Referee: J Lacey (IRFU).