Posted at 10:48 a.m., Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Rugby: U.S. loses 25-21 to Samoa at World Cup
By Rob Murray
Associated Press
Samoa, which made the quarterfinals in 1991 and '95, lost its last two games in 2003 and its first three in '07.
Led by flyhalf Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu, whose darting runs continually befuddled the Eagles, Samoa scored three first-half tries to lead 22-3 at the break. But the attacking fluency wasn't there for Samoa afterward, as the Eagles won the second half 18-3.
Wingers Lome Fa'atau and Alesana Tuilagi and lock Kane Thompson scored tries for Samoa, while fullback Loki Crichton kicked four from five for 10 points.
Winger Takudzwa Ngwenya and blindside flanker Louis Stanfill had tries for the Eagles, while flyhalf Mike Hercus kicked four of six for 11 points.
Samoa finished with five points in Group A. The United States has two and will almost certainly end up last with its final match against group winner South Africa on Sept. 30 in Montpellier.
