Scotland scores 7 tries to beat Samoa 41-12 in the last 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
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Farrell content despite Australia denying Lions whitewash
British and Irish Lions coach Andy Farrell says their gruelling Australian tour was "an absolute delight" despite failing to secure a whitewash, and left the door open to leading them again in 2029 against the All Blacks. Despite a shock warm-up defeat to Argentina in Dublin, the cream of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales arrived in Perth six weeks ago as red-hot favourites against a Wallabies team that had slumped to eighth in the world. After winning their opening five tour games then overpowering the hosts 27-19 in the first Test at Brisbane, a first unbeaten series since 1974 was on the cards. But a resilient Wallabies, still rebuilding after a horror 2023 World Cup, proved the doubters wrong to rally impressively and narrowly lose the second Test 29-26 in Melbourne, before stunning the Lions 22-12 in Sydney on Saturday. Farrell said it was frustrating to lose at a rain-soaked and lightning-affected Stadium Australia, denying them a place in the pantheon of Lions greats. But he said the tour as a whole was a big success, with bumper crowds, a positive team vibe under skipper Maro Itoje and memories "that will stay with us forever". "I have said to the lads that on reflection it might take one or two beers, but they will be unbelievably proud of what they achieved throughout this tour," he told reporters. "We all know how hard it is to be successful on a Lions tour against a good side like Australia. "Lions tours are tough. The legacy for us is in that changing room. The togetherness of the whole group has been an absolute delight. "We've played some outstanding rugby." The Lions do not tour again until 2029 when they travel to New Zealand, with Farrell not ruling out coaching them again. "Everyone knows what I think about this concept. I suppose that says it all. I absolutely love everything the Lions is about," said the Englishman, who will now return to his regular duties as Ireland coach. "I've thoroughly enjoyed the last eight weeks. There's always ups and downs but the inner circle is a special place to be." Asked if that meant he was keen to coach the Lions again, he replied: "Well, read into that what you want, but four years is a long time between drinks." - 'Special things' - The Wallabies only have a fortnight to recover before kicking off their Rugby Championship campaign with back-to-back Tests against world champions South Africa. But they will take heart from their improvement as the series wore on, particularly in Sydney where they were in control for large parts of the game. Coach Joe Schmidt will step down after the southern hemisphere competition and make way for Les Kiss, who will lead them into the 2027 World Cup, which Australia will host. The New Zealander's job was always about rebuilding after the 2023 World Cup under Eddie Jones, when they failed to qualify for the knockout stage for the first time. And he believes Australian rugby is once again heading in the right direction. "I felt we grew through the series. We lost the first half of the first Test but after that I felt we were right in every match," said Schmidt. "After the feeling of deep disappointment they had after losing the series in Melbourne I couldn't be prouder of how this team responded. "Looking forward I think there is a lot to be excited about." Farrell was Schmidt's assistant when he was Ireland coach, and has always stressed that it would be insulting to underestimate any team he led. "Special things are going to happen to Australia over the next 18 months," the Lions' coach said, after acknowledging the Wallabies were the better side in Sydney. mp/jfx
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
World media reacts as Rangers 'injustice' triggers spiteful Panathinaikos probe over an unforgivable error
You know it's been a successful night when you have the opposition's local media desperately seeking an intervention over a result they simply can't fathom. Were there things to work on for Russell Martin's new-look Rangers side? Of course, but they have to work out the kinks after a rousing 2-0 win over Panathinaikos in the first leg of their Champions League second round qualifier at Ibrox. Giorgos Vagiannidis was sent off minutes after Findlay Curtis announced his arrival in light blue with the opener and that was followed up by jet-heeled Djeidi Gassama smashing home on his debut. READ MORE: 10 Rangers glass half full and empty takeaways as Russell Martin claim in media room proves he's an action man READ MORE: Findlay Curtis gets words of Rangers wisdom from Sir Alex Ferguson as youngster told 'this is the start of something' It wasn't the perfect night with the visitors spurning a series of golden chances, however, Martin and his bold ideas were evident on night one. But no one was safe as one outlet attempted reverse psychology and Filip Djurisic, Vagiannidis and boss Rui Vitória, were all condemned over their role ahead of the return leg in Athens next week. Record Sport goes to Greece and beyond to see how others are viewing a thrilling night at Ibrox. Kathimerini (Greece) "The result does not do justice to the Greek team at all, with the visitors at Ibrox having major complaints from the referee who left them with 10 men early in the second half after a highly controversial second booking for Giorgos Vagiannidis. "Panathinaikos was by far the better team in the first 50 minutes of the game, missing several chances and even hitting the woodwork in the 9th minute with Facundo Pellistri. Somehow Rangers kept a clean sheet and only started asking questions at the Panathinaikos goal after the 35th minute. "Against the run of play the Scots took the lead with a well-balanced shot from a distance by Findlay Curtis. Giorgos Kyriakopoulos was denied a penalty despite getting kicked on the leg and a minute later Curtis powered the ball superbly into Bartlomiej Dragowski's net. "As if that had not been enough, Vagiannidis got his marching orders through a very harsh second yellow card, to leave Panathinaikos with 10 men for about 40 minutes. "That predictably led to the tipping of the game's balance to Rangers' favor, with the hosts scoring a second goal six minutes from time via Djeidi Gassama. "The Greens paid for wasting their chances. However the return leg on July 30 at the Olympic Stadium of Athens will be a completely different game." Sportime (Greece) "It's hard to understand how Panathinaikos lost this game. A match that should have been won in the first half. But at the start of the second half, the picture was similar, with Panathinaikos pressing. "Filip Djurisic is fatal, even more lethal than Giorgos Vayannidis. If we put them on the scale. The Serbian midfielder had clear chances to score. At least four, three of them classic. While in the 5th he takes a choice for no reason, for the home team to go on the counterattack and make it 1-0. "His worst moment, of course, was when he stole the ball, found himself alone against Butland and didn't even take a shot! "Vayannidis also had a bad day . He could have been sent off before the second yellow card, but the Lithuanian referee spared him, just as he did to Rangers. But the next time he gave him a card. "And defensively, the Greek defender wasn't good, losing Curtis in the 1-0 phase. Let's not talk about the diving phase.." A Bola (Portugal) "Rui Vitória, coach of Greek side Panathinaikos , had a less than happy first night in the UEFA Champions League , losing the first leg of the second qualifying round of the European competition 0-2 against Scottish side Rangers. Vagiannidis , a target for Sporting in this summer transfer window, was sent off in the 58th minute. "After the defeat, the 55-year-old Portuguese coach expressed confidence in the team's recovery and highlighted the team's strong performance up until Georgios Vagiannidis ' red card." Gavros (Greece) "Don't dare let Panathinaikos stay out of Europe. Not for Greek football, nor for the UEFA rankings. For us. For the laughs. For the show that this team consistently offers every year. "Is it possible for the "ambassador" to be missing from Europe? It's not possible! And of course we can't stop hearing the joke "Greece, Europe, Panathinaikos", which makes us cry with laughter every time! "Okay. Obviously, we don't care what Panathinaikos will do. We only care about the Legend moving forward, and that's what he's doing! But a little laugh with... our favourite team doesn't hurt!" Proto Thema (Greece) "Panathinaikos played its first official match of the new season at Ibrox Park, against Rangers for the 2nd qualifying round of the Champions League . The "green" fans have been dynamic, but those who stood out with the "good morning" were the Scottish fans, who raised a banner depicting the Parthenon and reading, "obstacles become our path", while also presenting the figure of the Goddess Athena."
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Jesurun Rak Sakyi to Rangers faces major hurdle as Crystal Palace change transfer rules
In-demand Jesurun Rak-Sakyi appears to have had the door slammed shut on a move to Rangers by Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner. The Scottish Premiership side are keen to sign the England youth international on an initial loan with a £10million option to buy. Rangers have already seen their bid to land the wide man thrown into doubt after the 22-year-old limped off during Palace's friendly clash with Crawley Town. READ MORE: Oliver Antman tees up Rangers transfer as £5m winger makes Ibrox revamp fit his demanding criteria READ MORE: Who will win Panathinaikos vs Rangers as our writers predict Champions League qualifying clash And while the full extent of the injury has get to emerge, Eagles' boss Glasner has moved to close the door on any more departures ahead of the Community Shield showdown with Liverpool on August 10 - unless new faces are brought in. He told Austrian newspaper Kronen Zeitung: 'Even though all the players are still here, we haven't made the most of the transfer window so far. "I was promised that we would be more active and bring in the new players earlier this year. 'As of now, I have 17 outfield players. I hope we don't lose any more. "If that happens and we get four new ones on deadline day like last year, another false start is possible.' The latest set-back in the pursuit Rak-Sakyi comes after Rangers boss Russell Martin admitted he's a player both he and the club's decision makers are keen to land. Martin, speaking to Sky Sports News last week, said: "He's a player I like. We tried to take him to Southampton, it didn't quite happen. I like him and the recruitment staff like him, but how far that's gone... I'm not too sure. "He's a really good player. We look at all sorts of different profiles that we think can help the team, it doesn't necessarily have to be one type of profile. Players are very different. "We just need the ones with the right mentality who are desperate to come and play here. We'll see where we end up in four weeks' time." Since then, alternative deals for wingers have emerged with Tottenham's teenage star Mikey Moore set to join the Glasgow giants on loan. Go Ahead Eagles' star Oliver Antman is also a target - but Celtic's pursuit of teammate Jakob Breum could scupper any deal. Follow Record Sport on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for all of the up-to-the minute breaking news, video and audio on the SPFL, the Scotland national team and beyond. You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Celtic page, and sign up to our newsletters to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season. We're also WhatsApp where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to your phone. Join our Celtic community here. Tune in to Hotline Live every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football
