Joy for Samoa as Harmony Vatau kicks their first World Cup points for 11 years

The cash-strapped nation have overcome many hurdles just to be in England and fly half’s successful penalty made the sacrifices worthwhile

Samoa's fly half Harmony Vatau kicks a penalty to score Samoa's first World Cup points in 11 years. Pic: GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images

You can keep the 92 points England scored. Let’s talk about Samoa’s three. It’s been 11 years since Samoa recorded a point in a World Cup match. They didn’t qualify for the tournaments in 2017 or 2021, and they were whitewashed 73-0 by Australia in the first round of this one on the opening weekend. So Franklin’s Gardens fell awfully quiet when the team won a scrum penalty just inside England’s half in the 42nd minute, 32m out, and straight in front of the posts. Everyone knew what was at stake in that next moment, and it was a hell of a lot more than cutting three points off England’s lead.

Their coach, Ramsey Tomokino, was expecting them to tap-and-go, they had prepared for it in the week, but on the pitch their captain, Sui Pauarasia, turned to her young fly half, Harmony Vatau, and said: “You got this?” instead. “She’s a pretty shy player,” Pauarasia said afterwards, “but she looked back at me and nodded.” The team were so surprised by it that no one thought to bring on a kicking tee, and the players had to scream at the water-carriers waiting on the sidelines to get it on quickly because the shot clock was already ticking. The ball flew straight and true, right between the uprights.