logo
Scotland scores 7 tries to beat Samoa 41-12 in the last match of its Pacific tour

Scotland scores 7 tries to beat Samoa 41-12 in the last match of its Pacific tour

AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — Scrumhalf Jamie Dobie played a leading role as Scotland scored seven tries to two to beat Samoa 41-12 Friday in the final match of its Pacific Tour.
Scoland set out to celebrate the end of its three-match tour on which it beat the New Zealand Maori and Samoa and lost to Fiji by playing attractive, high-tempo rugby. It succeeded despite the loss of several leading players to the British and Irish Lions in Australia.
Dobie was a constant attacking threat in the first half from both set play and in the loose. He moved to the wing in the second half as Scotland ran out of back replacements with a six-two split on the bench but remained a strong ball-carrier and willing defender.
Samoa was playing its first match in 2025 and had six players on debut including Niko Jones, son of former All Black Michael Jones and Jacob Umaga, nephew of former All Blacks captain Tana Umaga.
Hooker Ewan Ashman scored Scotland's first try after eight minutes and it added others from center Rory Hutchinson and wingers Arron Reed and Kyle Steyn to lead 22-0 at halftime.
Samoa won more possession, had faster breakdown ball and was more competitive in the second half, scoring tries through lock Ben Petaia Nee-Nee and center Duncan Paia'aua who plays for Toulon in France. But Scotland picked up three further tries from lock Grant Gilchrist, fullback Kyle Rowe and replacement hooker George Turner.
'We knew Samoa were going to be really tough opposition today,' Scotland captain Rory Darge said. 'From our point of view the things we did better around the breakdown, around the discipline just made the game so much better for us. We're delighted with the performance.'
Ashman's opening try came from a lineout drive, peeling away to the blindside to touch down.
Hutchinson then won the race to Stafford McDowall's kick to score in the 13th minute. The Scotland midfield pair kicked well and the tourists won two 50-22s in the first half.
Reed scored off Dobie's accurate wide pass in the 31st minute and Dobie offloaded in a tackle as Steyn scored close to halftime.
Rowe was rewarded for a strong game with his second half try.
___
AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

'I never once thought I needed to get out'
'I never once thought I needed to get out'

Yahoo

time19 hours ago

  • Yahoo

'I never once thought I needed to get out'

Jack Butland insists he never considered seeking an escape route this summer and Rangers remains the club "where I want to be". The former England goalkeeper lost his Ibrox starting spot to Liam Kelly during the final months of last term under interim boss Barry Ferguson. But Butland, 32, was give the gloves by new head coach Russell Martin for the season-opening first-leg win over Panathinaikos in Champions League qualifying last week and is determined to build on that impressive performance. "Has it been smooth sailing, my time at the club? Not for me personally, for all of us, no, it's not been quite as successful as we'd like it to have been," Butland told Sky Sports. "I never lost that, I didn't walk away from the season thinking, although some people like to try and make those stories up, that that's the end of it. "I was very determined that I will determine how my career goes here. "Obviously things can be taken out of your hands at times, but I was very adamant in the summer that regardless of what happens, what managerial changes, ownership changes, that I was going to come in and be the best version of myself and at least give myself the opportunity to have control of what happens next. "I hope I've managed to do that. I certainly feel fit and sharp and positive and looking forward to the season ahead at a club where I want to be. "I never once looked away from it and thought I need a change or I need to get out. "I need to keep my head up, stick my chest out and get on with it. That's the plan."

Trio return for final Lions Test but ‘devastated' Garry Ringrose misses out
Trio return for final Lions Test but ‘devastated' Garry Ringrose misses out

Yahoo

time21 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Trio return for final Lions Test but ‘devastated' Garry Ringrose misses out

The British and Irish Lions' quest to whitewash Australia has been reinforced by the return from injury of Joe McCarthy, Sione Tuipulotu and Mack Hansen, but Garry Ringrose will play no part in Saturday's final Test. McCarthy, Tuipulotu and Hansen are in contention for the Sydney showdown after missing Saturday's 29-26 victory over the Wallabies that clinched the series with a game to spare. All three have completed their rehab for their respective foot, hamstring and foot injuries and took part in Tuesday's low-key training session. However, Ringrose has been left 'devastated' as the 12-day minimum return-to-play protocol for concussion means he will miss the entirety of a series which he entered as first choice outside centre. The Ireland star self-reported his concussion symptoms shortly before the team for the second Test was named last Thursday, resulting in his withdrawal from the starting XV. 'Garry was playing some amazing rugby throughout this tour,' attack coach Andrew Goodman said. 'It's been a dream of his for so long to represent the Lions and he's managed to do that, but he wanted to be a Test-match Lion so it's been devastating for him. 'He's disappointed for himself, but he's getting around everyone and making sure he helps prepare everyone as much as he can.' Andy Farrell announces his team for the third Test on Thursday and must decide to what extent he should freshen up his matchday 23 given they went toe to toe with the Wallabies for 80 gripping minutes at Melbourne Cricket Ground. There is also the question of whether to rotate in players as reward for those who have missed out so far in the series, but Goodman has discounted this approach. 'It will be the best team available to win the series. That might look like some changes, that might look like consistency,' he said. 'You've got to reward form when guys have been playing well and are match-hardened in those Test matches. It is a balance.' The Lions celebrated their success with friends and family for two days but have now hardened their resolve to become the first side to record a whitewash since the 1927 visit to Argentina and first side to go unbeaten in the Tests since the 1974 expedition to South Africa. 'It's huge. It's everything for us as a group to get excited about,' Goodman said. 'It was 1974 the last time a Lions team went through the Test series unbeaten, so there's huge motivation for the group. 'Andy has been massive on that since the start, his expectation not just of the players but us as management and coaches to be the most successful team. 'It has been driving us not just as players, but as a management group every day to get better every day and push each other forward. 'After two hard, physical Tests it's about getting the battery filled up and making sure we're good to go by the end of the week.'

World Rugby boss rejects Schmidt's clearout claim
World Rugby boss rejects Schmidt's clearout claim

Yahoo

time21 hours ago

  • Yahoo

World Rugby boss rejects Schmidt's clearout claim

The boss of World Rugby has rejected Australia coach Joe Schmidt's claim that the decision at the end of the second Test against the British and Irish Lions contravened the sport's player welfare drive. The officials decided not to overturn Hugo Keenan's match-winning try after reviewing a clearout in the build-up from flanker Jac Morgan as the Lions edged a compelling contest at the MCG. As the Lions attacked near the Australia line, Morgan cleaned out Wallaby flanker Carlo Tizzano, who lurched backwards intimating he had been struck on the head as he tried to steal possession. The ball was then worked out to the left for Keenan to score, with referee Andrea Piardi sticking by his initial decision to award the try after consultation with the television match official (TMO). After the game, which the Lions won to take an unassailable 2-0 series lead, Wallabies coach Schmidt said it was a call that "didn't live up to" World Rugby's focus on player welfare. "I don't agree with that," World Rugby chief executive Alan Gilpin told the Rugby Union Weekly podcast in Sydney. "I understand emotions are running high and I understand Joe's looking at specific laws and playing that into the sort of officiating and welfare debate. "But Joe knows well, and so do all the international coaches, that we are investing heavily [in player welfare], whether it's instrumented mouthguards across the professional game, whether it's all the investment we make in the science and research. "We're trying to find that really tricky but massively important balance between a sport that is a brilliant physical contest and as safe as it can be in for the players. It's a very tough balance. "One of the great wonders of rugby is the complexity of our laws and the interpretation of that. We know that creates controversy and sometimes frustration but it also gets everyone talking about rugby, and talking positively about rugby and what an amazing game it was." Morgan produced 'perfect' clearout - Owens Ringrose ruled out of third Lions Test 'Glorious Lions needed this battle to reveal another side of themselves' Gilpin wouldn't be drawn about whether figures at Rugby Australia had lodged a formal complaint, but said the referees' body had been going through their customary review of the game over the past few days and that the officials "stand by their decision". "We've got to back our referees and our match officials. And we do. They're making 800-plus decisions under incredible pressure in front of a global audience in a single game," he added. "And they don't get every decision right. But as long as they've gone through the right process and as long as they've got a decision that they can stand behind, then we'll support them." Meanwhile, Australia fly-half Tom Lynagh has asked whether any review findings into the decision should be made available to the public. "I think it's a grey area," Lynagh said on Tuesday. "I think it would be good for the public to know the final result. "But unfortunately it doesn't change the result of the fixture, the decision is final." Former Wallabies captain Michael Hooper has been among those vocal in the Australian media, saying it should have been a penalty against Morgan and the Lions for a dangerous ruck entry. But he adds that now is the time for the hosts to move on and focus on the third and final Test in Sydney this weekend. "It's the game, right," he told Rugby Union Weekly. "But these things happen and if being a player teaches you anything, it's that you have to move on. "I hope the Wallabies have had a couple of days just to grieve, get it over with, and to get mentally prepared to bring it this week." 'Lions need whitewash to be lauded for decades' - Dawson column 'Finish on a high' - Russell seeks 3-0 Lions clean sweep Get the latest updates from the Lions tour

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store