Ireland lose to Samoa in World Cup Sevens

Ireland 5 Samoa 35

Ireland have lost their opening game at the 2009 Rugby World Cup Sevens tournament in Dubai this afternoon, going down 35-5 to an impressive Samoan side.

Jon Skurr's men were 14-5 behind at half-time and Samoan star Rupena Levasa, exposing some lacklustre defending, went on to score a hat-trick of tries.

A second-minute try from Brian Tuohy was Ireland's only reward from their opening game in Pool D.

Samoa turned on the gas to lead 14-5 at half-time with scores from Levasa and Lolo Lui. Lui converted both.

In the second half the experience of the Samoan team, who are regulars in the IRB Sevens World Series, helped them to build on their advantage.

They had two more tries from Levasa and one from Simaika Mikaele. Lui again converted all three to give Samoa a 30-point winning margin.

Interestingly, the match saw Connacht's Daniel Riordan lining up against his former provincial team-mate Ofisa Treviranus, who played for the westerners last season.

Speaking after the defeat, Ireland captain Kieran Campbell said: "We worked pretty hard there, we put a pretty good effort in, but were a bit naive a few times and let away a few soft scores.

"But credit to the lads - they put a great effort in and worked very hard for the full 14 minutes."

The Irish will need to cut down on the errors if they are to surprise Australia and Portugal in their two remaining Pool D games tomorrow.

Campbell added: "I don't think people are culpable for one-on-one tackles. I just think it is about getting our structure quickly and against good a side we didn't get our structure in quickly enough.

"The heat was fine. We have worked hard this week and I don't think fitness is an issue for us.

"There is just a few structure things we need to work on before tomorrow."

Scorers:

Ireland: Try: Brian Tuohy

Samoa: Tries: Rupena Levasa 3, Lolo Lui, Simaika Mikaele; Cons: Lolo Lui 5

IRELAND: Kyle Tonetti (Blackrock College - Leinster), James Coughlan (Dolphin - Munster), Paul Marshall (Belfast Harlequins - Ulster), Brian Carney (Clonakilty - Munster), Brian Tuohy (Cornish Pirates), Daniel Riordan (Buccaneers - Connacht), Gary Brown (Blackrock College

- Leinster).

Replacements: Eoghan Grace (Shannon - Munster), Kieran Campbell (Galwegians - Connacht), Felix Jones (Old Belvedere - Leinster), Conan Doyle (Garryowen - Munster), Tom Gleeson (Cork Constitution - Munster).

SAMOA: Ofisa Treviranus, Alafoti Faosiliva, Afa Aiono, Uale Mai, Lolo Lui, Jerry Meafou, Rupena Levasa.

Replacements: Simaika Mikaele, Apelu Fa'aiuga, Etuale Pitone, Alatasi Tupou, Morgan Salesa.

Referee: Marcelo Pilara (Argentina).