Manu samoa: updates of the 15's tour of UK 2010
Nick Easter admitted he was relieved to have avoided captaining England to defeat against Samoa. England were not able to build on their thrilling triumph over Australia as they struggled to a 26-13 win. (+)
Samoa can be proud of a fierce war of attrition against England at twickenham
England could hardly claim they were not warned about the Samoans' reputation for bone-rearranging tackles, but the thunderous passion the Pacific islanders took in the marine blue shirt still came as a jolt. (+)
Match report by the minute (+)
Ireland concluded their six-match losing streak but will remain deeply concerned by their deteriorating form after struggling to dispatch Samoa.
Ronan O'Gara finished with a 10-point haul but it was not until his 66th-minute try that the Irish, who entered the match as much as 1/66 favourites, took control. (+)
Rugby: Battling Samoans give Ireland a fright
Samoa have gone down to defeat after a brave fight against Ireland in the opening test of their European tour. After the match, a relieved Irish coach, Declan Kidney, said he was very glad the Samoans are not in Ireland's World Cup 2011 Pool. Manu Samoa's team manager Matt Vaea gave us his assessment of the match which Samoa lost by 20 points to 10.
Presenter: Geraldine Coutts
Speaker: Matt Vaea, team manager, Manu Samoa
VAEA: We were hoping for victory yesterday.(+)
Ireland struggle to break down Samoa
Ireland 20 Samoa 10: When does a slump become a full-blown crisis? It’s a question the Irish public have become well accustomed to in this post-Celtic Tiger era and one which Declan Kidney and his management team may be forced to ask themselves before this series is over.
Ireland may have avoided the ignominy of a seventh straight defeat, at the hands of Samoa of all teams, but the performance failed to convince many that this is a team moving in the right direction. (+)
Kidney Pleased to see the back of Samoa
Declan Kidney reflected on Ireland's bruising 20-10 victory over Samoa by voicing his relief they are not in the same World Cup pool. Ireland, who started as 1/66 favourites, struggled to despatch a side positioned 11th in the world rankings and endured a torrid third quarter.
Ronan O'Gara eventually pulled them clear with a 66th-minute try - but it was a far from convincing performance in front of a disappointing 30,955 crowd at Aviva Stadium. "I'm glad Samoa are not in our World Cup group. (+)
Another shocking display from Ireland
Ireland got their season back on track with a double scores victory over Samoa at the Aviva Stadium in front a shocking attendance of only 30,985 this afternoon. In a game described as “not a thing of beauty” by captain, Brian O’Driscoll, the home side were less than impressive and in truth, the final score flattered Declan Kidney’s men.
Jamie Heaslip crossed the try line for a 10-0 lead after 18 minutes and Ireland looked set to take over and win convincingly.
However, the visitors replied with an excellent score of their own, as Alesana Tuilaga waltzed through the Irish defence to touch down and make it 10-07. O’Gara added a penalty soon after to leave the scoreline 13-07 at the break. (+)
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