The Australian U20’s have started their Oceania Rugby Junior Championship with a win after defeating Samoa 33 to 10 at Bond University on the Gold Coast.
Australia scored four tries to Samoa’s two as the Australian backs capitalised on an impressive effort to contain the Samoan forwards.
Australian U20’s Head Coach Adrian Thompson was satisfied with his sides’ victory.
“It was a good first half, it got scrappy in the second half, but I’m happy with the effort in the first half.
“Our forwards did well, I think Samoa have put in a lot of resources into their program this year and they were a lot better than they were at this stage last year.
“I think they will be a big challenge when we play them at the first game at the World Championships.”
Australia next take on Japan on Tuesday May 1 at 3pm at Bond University before they take on New Zealand on Saturday May 9.
THE MATCH
It didn’t take long for the Australian side to cross the line with number eight Lolo Fakosilea crossing for Australia’s first try after a quick turn over off a loose Samoan ball.
The powerful number eight pushed away two defenders to take the score the 5-0.
Australia continued to attack Samoa in their own half and were rewarded with a penalty in front of the posts that flyhalf Andrew Deegan converted to take the score to 8-0.
The Samoan defence continued to ask questions of Australia as the young men in gold worked their way into another attacking territory zone.
Christian Yassmin was the beneficiary of some great hands by the Australian backs as captain Andrew Kellaway sent the ball wide to Yassmin who crossed for the try to take the score to 15-0 after the successful conversion from Deegan.
Samoa countered quickly as they broke through some missed tackles in the Australian defence allowing Trent Winterstein to cross in the corner to take the score to 15-5.
Another penalty to flyhalf Andrew Deegan and a try to flying flanker, Qantas Australian Sevens squad member, Brad Wilkin took Australia’s lead to 23-5 where the score would remain at halftime.
The second half saw Australia continue to control the game against their Pacific opponents.
Christian Yassamin scored his second try of the match as the Australian backs benefited from the hard work of the forwards against an abrasive Samoan pack.
Deegan continued his form with the boot to take the score to 30-5.
The young Australian side continued to pressure Samoa but the pacific island nation challenged Australia at the breakdown and were able to pay dividends as momentum swung to Samoa.
A try to winger Ah-Mu Tuimalealiifano who crossed in the corner for Samoa’s second try to take the score to 30-10.
A late penalty to Australia took the score to 33-10 where the score would remain at full time.
Australia’s next match is on Tuesday 5 May against Japan, Kicking off at 3pm at Bond University on the Gold Coast.
