Ex-All Blacks duo blooded as Samoa beat Zimbabwe in World Rugby Nations Cup

Samoa produced a clinical display to defeat Zimbabwe 43-7 and open their World Rugby Nations Cup campaign in style, running in seven tries in the sides’ first-ever Test meeting at Wakefield’s DIY Kitchens Stadium.

The Tusi Pisi-coached outfit were in control from the outset and never looked back after winger Latrell Ah Kiong crossed for the first of his three tries in the seventh minute.

Ah Kiong’s powerful finish in the corner gave Samoa an early foothold and the winger doubled his tally 12 minutes later as Zimbabwe struggled to contain the Pacific Islanders out wide.

The pressure continued to build and Samoa found a third try through Peter Umaga-Jensen after an interception sparked by Lalomilo Lalomilo. The winger showed sharp reactions to pick off a Zimbabwe pass before sending his midfield partner away to score and hand Samoa a commanding 19-0 lead.

Despite losing hooker Richie Asiata to a temporary suspension, Samoa comfortably maintained that advantage through to the break, with Zimbabwe unable to find a way through a well-organised defensive effort.

Any hopes of a second-half comeback were extinguished almost immediately after the break.

Ah Kiong completed an impressive hat-trick just five minutes after the restart before Ben Nee-Nee crashed over two minutes earlier in the half to further widen the gap. Miracle Faiilagi then added another on 54 minutes as Samoa’s forward power and superior execution began to tell.

Zimbabwe’s resistance was finally rewarded in the 68th minute when Dale Lemon crossed for their only try of the contest, with Houston adding the conversion to give the Sables something to cheer.

But Samoa would have the final word.

Debutant AJ Lam marked his first Test appearance with a try two minutes from time, capping an impressive outing for a side that also handed debuts to former All Blacks Josh Ioane and Shaun Stevenson, along with Chris Gabriel.

The victory was Samoa’s second success in the World Rugby Nations Cup after their 66-19 win over Hong Kong China earlier this year. It’s an encouraging start to their November window after defeats to Georgia and Romania in their previous outings.