Samoa qualifies for Rugby World Cup

Samoa became the second team to reach the 2011 rugby World Cup via hammering Papua New Guinea 73-12 in Port Moresby to qualify.

Photo: Mikaele Pesmino Source: rugbyworldcup.comSamoa followed Canada's qualification last weekend and is the 14th team to take their place in the tournament to be held in New Zealand.

The Samoans will play in Pool D along with South Africa, Wales and Fiji.

The Samoans join defending World Champions South Africa in Pool D along with Wales and Fiji. The pool line-up will be completed by the winner of Africa's qualifying final, between Tunisia and Namibia in November.

Samoa started at the Lloyd Robson stadium at a ferocious pace and wing Mikaele Pesamino crossed for the first of his three tries after just four minutes.

Five more unanswered first half tries by Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu, Andrew Williams Semo Sititi and a second for Pesamino put the result beyond doubt, and Titi Esau landed four of the conversions to make the score 38-0 at the break.

Roared on by the partisan home crowd, the hosts were the first onto the scoreboard after the break, Roland Namo scoring on 56 minutes to spark celebration.

Fuimaono-Sapolu hit back for the Samoans, however, who also notched further scores amid a raft of substitutions through Afa Aiono, Meki Magele, Pesamino and Gavin Williams.

With the Samoans relaxing late on, Jack Maraha restored some pride and delighted the passionate home support with a deserved consolation try for the Pukpuks.

Source: NewstalkZB/rugbyworldcup.com