ZCZC
BSP-03
RUGBYU-WC-2019-SAM-GER
Fidow on fire as Samoa thrash Germany
WELLINGTON, June 30, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Ed Fidow bagged a hat-trick of
tries as Samoa moved a step closer to qualifying for the 2019 World Cup when
they thrashed Germany 66-15 in Apia on Saturday, snapping a two-year losing
streak.
It was the first match in a two-leg play-off to find the final qualifier to
complete Pool A, which already includes Ireland, Russia, Scotland and hosts
Japan.
Samoa responded in style to strident pre-match criticism from Prime
Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi as they outscored Germany 10 tries to
two.
After a string of nine defeats since beating Canada in 2016, Malielegaoi
told the players they “have no guts” and if they lost they “all have to
resign from the team”.
His outburst paid dividends as centre Alapati Leiua had the Pacific
islanders on the board within eight minutes.
Melani Matavao (2), Jack Lam, Ed Fidow (3), Joe Tekori and Dwayne
Polataivao all scored along with a penalty try while Ah See Tuala landed
seven conversions.
Germany, who Malielegaoi said have “no knowledge whatsoever” about rugby,
relied on a penalty by Raynor Parkinson in the first half with two tries to
Jaco Otto and a Parkinson conversion in the second.
The return leg is in Heidelberg, Germany on July 14.
BSS/AFP/MR/ 1110 hrs