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| ** Samoa open with a bang |
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| Prop Sakaria Taulafo of Samoa is hauled down by the Namibia defence during the IRB 2011 Rugby World Cup Pool D match between Samoa and Namibia at Rotorua International Stadium on September 14, 2011 in Rotorua, New Zealand. ( September 13, 2011 - Photos by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images AsiaPac) **Samoa got their Rugby World Cup campaign underway in emphatic fashion, after demolishing Namibia 49-12 at Rotorua International Stadium on Wednesday. Samoa speedster Alesani Tuilagi bagged a hat-trick to help his team along to a comprehensive six-tries-to-two Pool D win. The islanders simply had too much pace and power for the African minnows, with Wales, Fiji and the Springboks having been interested spectators of the performance. * Man of the match: Blockbusting wing Alesana Tuilagi signalled his star power with Samoa's first World Cup hat-trick, but it was exciting flank Maurie Faasavalu who really caught the eye without having to score a try. He was just everywhere! http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,9989_7175476,00.html *** next test: 9-18 Samoa v Wales Hamilton * 9-22 Nambia v SA Auckland **** |
