New Zealand U20's Make Samoa See Blue

New Zealand Under-20: 80 (Braydon Ennor 2, Ryan Coxon, Carlos Price, Caleb Clarke, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Samuel Slade, Asafo Aumua, Jona Nareki, Luke Jacobson, Ezekiel Lindenmuth, Dalton Papalii tries; Ciarahn Matoe 6 con, Tiaan Falcon 3 con) Samoa Under-20: 23 (Pupi Ah See, Losi Filipo tries; Riki Pauli Ene 3 pen, 2 con)


New Zealand have thrashed Samoa 80-23 in their second game of the Oceania U20s Rugby Championships at Bond University on the Gold Coast.

New Zealand set a new record for the highest score at the tourney, but Samoa didn't disgrace themselves holding New Zealand to 33-17 in the second-half.

New Zealand started in a brisk and polished fashion,  powering ahead 47-6 at halftime.

Prop Ryan Coxon had the first say when he borrowed over in third minute after sustained side to side attack by New Zealand. Small breaks by hooker Asafo Aumua and first-five Ciarahn Matoe had Samoa stretched from the outset.

In the 15th minute Braydon Ennor scored the first of his two tries when former St, Kentigern's teammate Carlos Price spotted a hole in Samoa's ruck defence and created space for the Canterbury centre.

In the 19th minute another Cantabrian Josh McKay turned provider for halfback Price. The fullback retrieved an errant pass, which had initially sailed over his head at the ten-metre mark, and dashed 40-metres to set up his enthusiastic supporter.  

Samoa's misery was further compounded when two 'Baby Blacks' of Samoan extraction left their blueprint on the scoreboard. Wing Caleb Clarke turned two Samoan defenders in knots in a blistering 60-metre burst and second-five Thomas Umaga-Jensen pushed aside resigned tacklers from a midfield scrum on the Samoan 22.

New Zealand's play only became more spectacular when workhorse lock Samuel Slade profited from two no-look reverse passes by Kemara Hauiti-Parapara and Jona Nareki.

Samoa finally ventured inside the Kiwis 22 in the 35th minute and enjoyed a two minute assault on the New Zealand goal line, but some panic resulted in a knock on and try at the opposite end. Clarke chipped ahead and Ennor swopped upon an unfortunate fumble by the retreating Samoan defence.

In the 42nd minute the rampant Aumua brought up New Zealand's half-century at which point triple figures seemed like a real possibility.

However New Zealand lost shape when they introduced their bench and Samoa showed some genuine sprit.

Samoa scored their first try in an unusual fashion. An attacking kick was jabbed towards the corner flag in New Zealand's in goal area. Samoan wing Losi Filipo dragged his opposite Nareki over the sideline. In desperation to keep the ball in play, Nareki threw a hopeful reverse flip with his back turned to his support to Samoan reserve back Pupi Ah See who acrobatically finished in a confined space Nareki atoned for his indiscretion a short while later when he stepped extravagantly off the left foot to open up Samoa from 40-metres out, but Samoa would strike again when centre Oikumene Hunter Paisami chipped for Filipo who snatched the bounce on the fly to score a brilliant try.

New Zealand finished with a wet sail as Samoa fatigued. Reserve prop Ezekiel Lindenmuth  jogged 40-metres untouched and flankers Luke Jacobson and Dalton Papalii also crossed the chalk.

For Samoa Filipo had a fine game as captain making several crushing tackles, including sending McKay into orbit, and scoring a fine try. Fullback Riki Pauli Ene boasts an educated left boot and lock Theodore Solipo dispirited kick-offs and didn't shirk the physical challenge.

Clarke and Aumua were dynamic for New Zealand and McKay was often illusive from fullback.

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