Source :- THE AGE NEWS
Walsh!!!
The 24-year-old is over. He slices his way through. Kotoni Staggs was denied just seconds ago, but there’s no denying his Brisbane teammate. The fullback was given an inch of space and he’s beaten Stephen Crichton. You can’t give him that much space near the tryline.
That try will hurt Samoa even more given it occurred less than two minutes after being denied a try themselves.
Australia 20, Samoa 2 – 33rd minute
Crichton! Stephen Crichton is over. But will it be allowed?
It’s a towering bomb from Jarome Luai. Walsh drops it at fullback as he challenges with Francis Manuleleua in the air, and Crichton is there and collects it and scores.
But it does look like Manuleleua was off side. I had it by a metre live. The bunker rules that he’s feet were in line, but the bunker believes there’s a little knock on. No try. The Samoan fans aren’t happy.
It’s one-way traffic here in Sydney early on.
Tom Trbojevic has another try for the tournament. Bradman Best was stopped moments before out wide on the left, and this time they shift the ball well to the other winger and the Manly outside back scores. The last pass came from Staggs. It was a good ball too.
Australia 16, Samoa 2 – 26th minute
Dear oh dear, Samoa aren’t helping themselves here at all. In fact, they’re shooting themselves in the foot.
Spencer Leniu spills it on the deck early in the tackle count.
They’re under the pump here.
Try time! This time it’s Jacob Preston. It’s Jazz Tevaga who has been shown up defensively again. Promoted into the starting side, the 31-year-old Wakefield Trinity star is having a shocker. He should have stopped Preston.
Australia 12, Samoa 2 – 16th minute
Francis Molo might have saved the day, but the Kangaroos will get another opportunity to attack Samoa after taking the ball dead.
The Kangaroos have been given another set of six too.
Here’s a video of Dearden’s try.
Try time! It’s Dearden. It’s terrible defence but the halfback has sliced straight through and scored.
First tackle from the scrum and he’s over. Way too easy. Poor defence from the lock Francis Manuleleua and hooker Jazz Tevaga.
First points Samoa.
It’s a penalty to Crichton from bang in front.
Australia 0, Samoa 2 – 5th minute
We’re underway.
The Kangaroos got through their first set of six unscathed. Only the 31m made, before a scrappy kick that has Samoa in strong field position. That’s made ever better by the penalty they’ve got. So it’s a new set of six immediately and they’re deep inside Australia’s territory.
It’s a pretty sight. The rain is falling from the Sydney skies.
Samoa’s national anthem is being belted out in the middle of Allianz Stadium.
Now for Advance Australia Fair.
The anthems are done. Here’s Samoa’s Siva Tau.
