Pocock proves his fitness as unconvincing Australia see off Samoa
The Wallabies have completed their World Cup preparations on home soil with an unconvincing 34-15 win over Samoa in Sydney on Saturday. Australia had a 19-point half-time lead at Bankwest Stadium slashed to seven on the hour after two tries in eight minutes to replacement back Dwayne Polataivao.
But winger Dane Haylett-Petty ensured Samoa wouldn’t repeat their famous 2011 upset win over the Wallabies before that year’s World Cup by plunging over the line for their fifth try with 10 minutes remaining. Inside centre Matt Toomua then crossed after the siren to inflate the margin before 16,091 spectators.
The Wallabies scored six tries to two but after some good passages of play in the first half, they struggled to sustain pressure and produce try-scoring opportunities until deep in the second spell. Australia understandably tested their depth before heading to Japan with only three members of the starting line-up intact following the Wallabies 3 6-0 loss to New Zealand last month.
The return of flanker David Pocock for his first game since March was a highlight as he logged an encouraging hour of game time. Pocock was heavily involved in Australia’s first try in the seventh minute. He pounced on a loose Samoan lineout throw deep in the visitors’ half and ran the ball up to just short of the line before the ball was recycled and he was on hand to send lock Adam Coleman over.
Pocock and No 8 Jack Dempsey who has also missed much of the season through injury, were both industrious while winger Marika Koroibete and Toomua were the backline standouts. The most memorable five-pointer came from man-of-the-match Koroibete, who displayed a mixture of speed, strength and footwork to cut inside and out and beat three defenders on a 40-metre run to the line.
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The Fijian-born former NRL player also set up a try to flanker Lukhan Salakaia-Loto , while veteran centre Adam Ashley-Cooper notched Australia’s other first-half try off a well-weighted stab kick from Toomua. Australia led 22-3 after limiting Samoa to a Tusi Pisi penalty, but the Pacific Islanders rallied after the break through Polataivao’s brace.
Samoa also made their presence felt physically with five-eighth Bernard Foley copping one big hit during his disappointing night with the boot. He landed just two of six conversions, but a potentially greater concern for coach Michael Chieka was Coleman retreating with a thumb injury during the second half.
While the match was a valuable warm-up it also served a farewell for a quartet of stalwarts playing their final Test in Australia – Pocock, halfback Will Genia, hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau and prop Sekope Kepu.
WATCH: The RugbyPass stadium guide to Sapporo where Australia begin their World Cup campaign against Fiji on September 21
Comments on RugbyPass
Can someone fill me in please, I've read a number of Ben Smith articles now and it seems he's got something again South Africa? Surely, this game was over and done with 7 months ago. Can't we have something a bit more interesting and relevant, or is this the calibre of journalist on this site?
227 Go to commentsNot sure what the Welsh are moaning about. They’ve had far more players off England, than England have had off Wales. Guys like Josh Hathaway and Kane James will play for Wales in the end. And they’ll be fsr better players for having played in the Gallagher Premiership, than they ever would have been had they stayed mired in the shambles that is Welsh rugby.
3 Go to commentsThis is all being blown totally out of proportion. First of all, since half the Irish team isn’t Irish - it’s very likely that none of the Irish players said that at all and, thus, we’re not being arrogant. Second, since half the Irish team is Kiwi - it’s very likely the Kiwi players were predicting a NZ SA World Cup final. Which they got spot on. Good on them!
163 Go to commentsAha. An Irishman with logic! Follow the flow: - Ireland peaks with a >80% win record between 2020 and 2023. And then… - crashes out of another QF at the WC; - Beat a poor French Team; - Beat 6N wooden spoonists Italy; - Play shite against eventual wooden spoonists Wales; - Lose against the most boring, “the worst English team ever” , a team widely regarded as unable to attack; - scrape through against Scotland. This article, No - Trimble, is on the money! Except for one glaring statement: _The Springboks have a few aces in the hole in this debate being the reigning world champions and official world number ones_ There is no debate, boys and girls. There it is. In black and white. “Reigning World Champions and OFFICIAL world number ones”. Come July, the overrated Andy Farrell and this overhyped team are going to enter into a world of hurt.
86 Go to commentsI’d like to know what homoerotic events Daniel enjoyed at 8th man. I clearly missed out!
19 Go to commentsThis article is missing some detail, like some actual context or info about what led to him abusing the ref.
2 Go to comments*They used to say that football is a gentleman sport watched by hooligans and rugby is a hooligan sport watched by gentlemen. How times have changed.*
3 Go to commentsexcept ot wasnt late wasnt late at all so dont know why you all saying its late he commits early and its your fault fir not paying attention
29 Go to commentsNot sure the Bulls need another average utility back in their ranks. Chamberlain has been ok for the Sharks but is by no means an X-Factor player. Bulls bought several utility backs which they barely use. A typical example would be Henry Immelman who plays mostly Fullback. The Bulls however have rarely played him this year and he has played wing or centre. Bulls want to build depth but seems like they have too many surplus players
1 Go to commentsABs lost against a side playing without a hooker - The guy playing, had one shoulder. Line outs were a gimme for the ABs, and the last 8 minutes 14 played 14 against a team that had been smashed 3 weeks in a row… Yet with all that possession, with all that territory, with all the advantages they actually had, especially in the last 8 minutes, they couldn’t buy a point. Those last 8 minutes determined if they outplayed the Boks or not. History will show that the Boks completely outplayed the ABs, especially in those last 8 minutes, the business end of any rugby match
227 Go to commentsWould’ve, could’ve, should’ve, didn’t.
227 Go to commentsKok will become a fan favourite
1 Go to commentsI am really looking forward to Leigh Halfpenny playing his first Super rugby game for the Crusaders Playing a long side his former Welsh and Scarlets team mate Johnny McNicoll.Johnny has been playing great, back in a Crusaders jersey.The attack has strengthened big time. Also looking forward to David Havili at 10. David is a class act, it also allows Dallas McLeod to remain at 12. A good thing.
1 Go to commentsIf he had stopped insisting on playing in the backrow, instead of wing, where everyone told him he should, he would have been a Bok years ago….
11 Go to comments‘Salads don’t win scrums’ 😂 I love that.
19 Go to commentsCan’t wait for the article that talks about misogyny in Ireland. Somehow.
19 Go to commentsI would like to see a rule change, when the attacking team is held up over the try line, by allowing the defensive team to restart a goal line drop out releases the pressure for the defensive team, but what if the attacking team had to restart a tap 5m out from the defensive team it gives the attacking team to apply more pressure, there are endless options for the attacking side and it will keep the fans in suspence.
2 Go to commentsLess modern South African males predictably triggered.
19 Go to commentsMy heart is with Quins, but the head is convinced Toulouse have too much. Ntamack is back, his timing and wisdom has been missed.
1 Go to commentsWow, what a starting line up for the Sharks) Tasty up front,kremer vs Tshituka or venter …fiery ,,Lavannini ,,will he knobble etzebeth? Biggest game for belleau?
1 Go to comments