Samoa Take 10th Spot!
Samoa has sealed the 10th and final spot for the 2008 World Cup with a crushing 38-16 win over Lebanon in bitterly cold conditions at Featherstone in England.
Too much pace, too much power-it was a classic case of a good big man beating a good little man in the Repechage final.
Samoa led 28-8 at halftime but had to bear the full brunt of several Lebanon “strikes†mid-way through the second half.
Lebanon winger Tom Joseph, better known as a “park†footballer in Sydney, Australia, scored in the 60th minute to revive sagging hopes for a World Cup berth but missed two other try scoring opportunities within two minutes.
And when Chris Salem hung on too long with a try begging the game was as good as over.
Samoa was bruising in all their endeavours. They have a powerful pack of forwards and slick backs, especially when Nigel Vagana cuts loose.
John Ackland, the Samoan coach, described the victory as a “great night for international Rugby League.â€
“We won on heart and effort,†said Ackland.
Lebanon unleashed their natural aggression in the opening stages but a dubious penalty to Samoa gave the Pacific Islanders first blood.
Joe Paulo kicked the first of his seven goals and was voted man-of-the-match.
Samoa exploited loopholes close to the rucks and it was not surprising to see hooker Chris Vaefaga score from dummy half.
Then, in just the 12th minute, fullback Tangi Ropati went over after sustained attack featuring Vagana, who was slick close to the edges.
In the 18th minute Lebanon posted their first points from a chip kick that Phil Tackhi latched on to but he did appear to be two metres offside.
Joseph saved a certain Samoan try in the 20th minute with a magnificent ball and all tackle but Samoa continued to dominate territory.
Vagana scored in the 26th minute after a Rugby style scrum push provided him with the room to exploit.
Five minutes from halftime, Lebanon hit back with a try from Adham El-Zbaideh. If it is any consolation this try was by far the most spectacular of the repechage final played before a crowd of 1,323.
Lebanon chanced their arm and threw passes with gay abandon, including one out the back door.
Paulo went to the break having kicked six from six.
Samoa increased their margin in the 47th minute when Bauer scored but Lebanon, never to be denied, scored four minutes later and when Joseph crossed 20 minutes from fulltime there appeared to be a flicker of hope of another Lazarus type comeback.
But, not to be. Missed chances cost Lebanon dearly and when Hutch Maiava crossed Samoa had booked a passage to Australia.
Samoa now joins Australia, England, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, France, Fiji, Tonga, Ireland and Scotland as the top 10 for the 2008 World Cup.
Samoa 38 (C Vaefaga, T Ropati, N Vagana, F Puletua, H Maiava, A Bauer tries; J Paulo 7 goals) d. Lebanon 16 (P Tackhi, A El-Zbaideh, T Joseph, D Chiha tries)
