England will be eager to get a victory against the minnows. The defending champions were battered by South Africa and had a unconvincing win against U.S.A. If england are to retain the cup they must beat teams like Samoa or it will be further damaging to englands sports bruised pride. Samoa have as expected lost both of thier opening games against South Africa and Tonga and will look to cause a major upset today.
The team news as follows.
England1 Andrew Sheridan 2 George Chuter 3 Matt Stevens 4 Simon Shaw 5 Ben Kay 6 Martin Corry 7 Joe Worsley 8 Nick Easter 9 Andy Gomarsall 10 Jonny Wilkinson 11 Mark Cueto 12 Olly Barkley 13 Mathew Tait 14 Paul Sackey 15 Josh Lewsey
Replacements16 Mark Regan 17 Perry Freshwater 18 Steve Borthwick 19 Lewis Moody 20 Peter Richards 21 Andy Farrell 22 Dan Hipkiss
Samoa1 Kas Lealamanua 2 Mahonri Schwalger 3 Census Johnston 4 Joe Tekori 5 Kane Thompson 6 Daniel Leo 7 Semo Sititi 8 Henry Tuilagi 9 Junior Polu 10 Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu 11 Alesana Tuilagi 12 Brian Lima 13 Seilala Mapusua 14 David Lemi 15 Loki Crichton
Replacements16 Tanielu Fuga 17 Fosi Palaamo 18 Justin Purdie 19 Alfie Vaeluaga 20 Steve So'oialo 21 Jerry Meafou 22 Lolo Lui
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Samoa go through their pre match rituals as they look to intimadate england in this crucial match.
2 mins – What a start for England as continued pressure from England, as Corry puts away a try. Johnny Wilkinson puts away the conversion England 7-0 Samoa
5 min England 10-0 Samoa. Wilkinson nicks away a drop goal for England in which has been a dominating start for England.
10 min – England 10-6 Samoa. Samoa add points to their tally as a drop goal sneaks in. Also A penalty from Loki Crichton reduces England’s lead.
15 Min – England 13-6. Samoa needlessly gives away a penalty. The danger man Wilkinson duly converts it. However Samoa are still crashing into the England players and look to bulldoze their way through the second rows.
20 min – England 16-6 Samoa. A penalty again from Wilkinson, after the ball is dropped by a Samoa player. In the build up England was looking threatening with scrum half Andy Gomarsall opening up a lot of chances for England.
25 min – an unlikely miss from a penalty Wilkinson surprises the stadium as Andy Farrell gives a cheeky smile to the big screen. Yet Wilkinson is still the man Samoa fear.
30 min – Samoa are still up for this and win a scrum. They are flying into the challenges but the gulf in class is clear to see.
35 min – England 23-6 Samoa. Quick and dynamic build up from England results in a great try. Wilkinson dinks a ball through with his left foot and the ball is in the area to be won and right winger Paul Sackey jumps on the ball with authority. Wilkinson then converts the resulting kick. Yet Samoa still look for a break on the counter attack with Alesena Tuilagi looking dangerous.
40 min – England 23-12 Samoa. Samoa hit England with a double combo. The Samoan full back adds three points to their tally with a drop goal. Then Samoa win a penalty which is converted by Loki Critchon
Half time report
A half with most of the chances going to England will ease the worries about Englands chances at this tournament. Johhny Wilkinson is proving the difference between the sides as he adds to his world cup record point tally. He has used all of his rugby to make sure England are on the front foot for most of the game, especially that great ball for Sackeys try. The samoans have threatened England with Loki Critchon amaongst the points and made England play in the last 5 minutes of the half. England look like they are the better side but have to be weary of Alesena Tuilagi, who looks great on the counter.
Things are about to start for the second half. There is still a game here. Although Samoa have threatened in patches, England have to sure they don’t let this game slip away from them. As Samoa are up for this game and refuse to lie down and get beat. They haven’t panicked, showed when they picked up 6 points just before the end of the 1st half. But England have enough quality to counter their abilities.
45 min Samoa hit England early with a penalty from Loki Critchton. The whole country gasps for breath as injury prone Wilkinson is hit by a high arm. Brian Lima is lucky to get away with it as Wilkinson remonstrates with the referee. Yet he responds in the best way by converting a penalty. England 26-15 Samoa.
50 min – England 26-22 Samoa. England’s kicking game is opening up the Samoan Counter attacking game and they are made to paid. A loose kick by Lewesy invites the Samoan winger to attack. His kick is left for Polu to chase who manages to get a hand on it. There is a slight delay as the referee opts to give Samoa a try. A controversial decision. Crichton converts again.
55 min Two missed opportunities by Wilkinson. The first being a drop goal after England failed to push home a try. On his weaker right foot his drop goal is just wide of the bar. He had the window to still gain points ahead on Samoa but misses the penalty. This may be crucial. As England need top open up a lead to gain some breathing space from Samoa who have hurt England with there try earlier.
60 min England are out of sorts again. Inspired Samoa are getting bigger and getting in wider positions. A ball is loose and Samoa try to push it over the edge but a interesting scrum in favour of samoa will sort it out. However nothing comes of it.
70 min – England 32-22 Samoa. A vital drop goal from Wilkinson raises the people of the bench as England look to win this entertaining match. And he compounds Samoa with a penalty from almost the halfway line. Wilkinson is coming alive in this tournament. A replacement for Samoa as the scorer of the controversial try Pulo is off for sdjjhsdjhsd. Brian Lima is also off in his last tournament for Lolo Lui.
75 min England 39-22 Samoa. The man who started the proceedings most probably ends it. Corry gets another try and they open up a comfortable lead over Samoa. God forbidding, they have this game wrapped up and they add another three points from Wilkinson’s conversion.
80 min England 44-22 Samoa. It doesn’t end there. Paul Sackey ends the game with a try after just moments before getting caught by a high challenge. His pacy run was caught by no samoan and dived for the try with Ablomb. A wide angle meant that Wilkinson was unable to convert the conversion
Full time report.
Englands rugby golden boy Johhny Wilkinson proved to be the major difference in this pulsating game between Samoa and England. Although fly half are bound to be a major factor his contribution to England’s overall game was important. His 24 points to England’s 44, should not be under estimated. He has had his troubles but he is a big game player.
England attacked from the off and they were rewarded with a try early on. Samoa momentarily came back into it. But a paul Sackey try was crucial to Englands hope as they opened up a lead. Yet Samoa lead by the influential Critchton added points to their tally including a controversial try which was highly debated by Pulo. Samoa had left England wondering if they were going to win this game after reducing the game to 26-22. In the last 15 minutes England made sure the game was there’s by tries by Sackey and Corry. Either side of Wilkinson drop goals. The game ended 44-22 to England and they look set to secure a berth in the quarterfinal spot.
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