Scotland Bounce Back With Seven-try Win Over Samoa

Samoa: (0) 12

Tries: Nee-Nee, Paia'aua Cons: Umaga

Scotland: (22) 41

Tries: Ashman, Hutchinson, Reed, Steyn, Gilchrist, Rowe, Turner Cons: Burke, Horne 2

Scotland bounced backmost from a achy conclusion to Fiji past play pinch a thumping seven-try triumph complete Samoa successful Auckland to extremity their summertime circuit connected a high.

First-half scores from Ewan Ashman, Rory Hutchinson, Arron Reed and Kyle Steyn had Gregor Townsend's broadside successful a commanding position, earlier further scores from Grant Gilchrist, Kyle Rowe and George Turner successful nan 2nd period.

Ben Nee-Nee and a wished Duncan Paia'aua were capable to get 2 backmost for nan hosts astatine Eden Park, but Scotland dominated each areas successful a overmuch much proficient and disciplined performance.

That was contempt missing almost a afloat starting 15 to either wounded aliases British & Irish Lions duty.

While nan nonaccomplishment to Fiji was damaging to Scotland, a nonaccomplishment to Samoa would person been unthinkable. However, Ashman's early people eased immoderate jitters.

The Australia-bound hooker latched connected to a driving maul to put Scotland successful nan lead aft 7 minutes, but successful those early stages they'd had to guidelines up to immoderate surging Samoa attack.

But aft they landed nan first blow, nan backline kicked into gear. Stafford McDowall kicked done for Hutchinson to cod pinch nan Northampton man darting complete for Scotland's only cardinal score.

The adjacent 1 was overmuch wider, arsenic nan awesome Jamie Dobie looped a agelong miss walk retired to nan scampering Reed to dot down successful nan corner.

Five minutes later, they had their fourth. Dobie, Fergus Burke and Rowe each timed passes to perfection, pinch Steyn cantering successful untouched.

They started nan second-half successful arsenic objective fashion. Pounding astatine nan Samoan barricades, nan battering ram of Gilchrist yet collapsed done to timber complete for only his 2nd world score.

Any dream of shutting retired nan hosts was soon snuffed retired arsenic replacement George Horne threw a unsighted walk connected his ain five-metre while being bundled into touch. Samoan fastener Nee-Nee was connected manus to intercept, gleeful astatine specified an opportunity being handed to him.

Scotland responded immediately. From a scrum they went left, past right, past near again. Andy Onyeama-Christie carried hard, arsenic did Matt Fagerson, but it was Burke's pop-up offload from nan platform which gave Rowe nan chance to leap into nan area and touch down.

Toulon centre Paia'aua was capable to get 1 backmost for Samoa, spinning retired of nan hands of 2 Scotland tacklers, but Turner sewage nan seventh from nan backmost of a driving maul.

The scoreline could person been acold much comfortable, but Burke forgot his kicking boots and could only onshore 1 of his 4 conversion attempts. It was a greasy surface, successful fairness to nan Scotland newbee.

Samoa: Ah Kiong, Tuitama, Paia'aua, Taefu, Alosio; Umaga, Matavao; Seiuli, Sue, Alaalatoa, Nee-Nee, Slade, McFarland (capt), Mau'u, Seu.

Replacements: Tolai, Siteine-Tua, Fepuleai, Curry, Jones, Mapu, Tupa'i, Iona.

Scotland: Rowe, Steyn, Hutchinson, McDowall, Reed; Burke, Dobie; Sutherland, Ashman, Millar Mills, Brown, Gilchrist, Onyeama-Christie, Darge (capt), M Fagerson.

Replacements: Turner, McBeth, Richardson, Henderson, Sykes, Muncaster, Horne, Hastings.

Referee: Jordan Way (Australia)