Full Time
80:00
6:10pm Sat October 28, 2017
Pool B - Go Media Stadium, Penrose / Aotearoa - Crowd: 17857
72

SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NEW ZEALAND: Conversion attempt by Shaun Johnson successful.

Conversion successful.

New Zealand 38-8

80

UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SAMOA: Conversion attempt by Peter Mata'utia unsuccessful.

Missed. FT. Kiwis ran away with it.

New Zealand 36-8

80

TRY SAMOA: Scored by Joseph Paulo. Kick to come.

GREEN LIGHTS.. TRY! Joseph of the Paulos gets a late one.

New Zealand 36-8

80

VIDEO REF! One more time! Leilua with a lovely stabbed kick for Paulo.

New Zealand 36-4

80

PENALTY SAMOA! They have one more chance.

New Zealand 36-4

79

Hustle from Liu! He got the ball back for the Kiwis then it is the old hit and hope for RTS but the ball beat them all!

New Zealand 36-4

75

PENALTY NEW ZEALAND! Dangerous tackle from Samoa.

New Zealand 36-4

75

UNFORCED ERROR SAMOA: Herman Essese makes an unforced error.

That rebounded knock on almost sums up Samoa's night. Kiwis back with it.

New Zealand 36-4

72

TRY NEW ZEALAND: Scored by Nelson Asofa-Solomona. Kick to come.

GREEN LIGHTS.. TRY! Asofa-Solomona kept the arm off the ground, and in the in-goal.

New Zealand 36-4

72

BUNKER TIME AGAIN! Nelson Asofa-Solomona used some extendo-arms to get that down. Checking it though.

New Zealand 32-4

71

UNFORCED ERROR NEW ZEALAND: Dallin Watene Zelezniak makes an unforced error.

RED LIGHTS.. NO TRY! Knocked on by DWZ in the contest, in the field of play. Turnover.

New Zealand 32-4

71

BUNKER TIME! Checking all the action here, contest.. the back heel.

New Zealand 32-4

69

SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NEW ZEALAND: Conversion attempt by Shaun Johnson successful.

Johnson adds two more!

New Zealand 32-4

68

TRY NEW ZEALAND: Scored by Roger Tuivasa-sheck. Kick to come.

That is the icing on the cake for New Zealand! Nikorima exploited the space and RTS finished it well!

New Zealand 30-4

66

Samoa found some joy straight down the middle, Afoa tried to keep it alive and lost it.

New Zealand 26-4

65

Beautiful hands from Rapana! He caught the ball, had the sense to put it on the toe. Sadly it went dead for the winger. Seven tackle set.

New Zealand 26-4

64

UNFORCED ERROR SAMOA: Jazz Tevaga makes an unforced error.

Now Samoa have turned it right back after Tavega couldn't scoop it up.

New Zealand 26-4

63

UNFORCED ERROR NEW ZEALAND: Joseph Tapine makes an unforced error.

A classic tackle jarred it free from Tapine.

New Zealand 26-4

63

It just hasn't been good enough from Samoa. Roberts took the line on and was tackled. So the ball was shifted wide, before it was knocked on.

New Zealand 26-4

62

Beale is has been stretchered off, now we're ready to go again! Hopefully he isn't out for too long! Samoa scrum.

New Zealand 26-4

62

Time off as Gerard Beale is tended to, looks like a lower leg injury for the future Warrior.

New Zealand 26-4

59

UNFORCED ERROR NEW ZEALAND: Russell Packer makes an unforced error.

Following the lengthy delay, Russell Packer loses control.

New Zealand 26-4

59

PENALTY NEW ZEALAND! Mannering taken without the ball, as it looked likely once again!

New Zealand 26-4

58

PENALTY NEW ZEALAND! Danny Levi has been dynamite since he came on! The hooker just bounced out of the ruck and caught the markers out.

New Zealand 26-4

57

SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NEW ZEALAND: Conversion attempt by Shaun Johnson successful.

Another simple kick, and typical result for Johnson.

New Zealand 26-4

55

TRY NEW ZEALAND: Scored by Isaac Liu. Kick to come.

Too easy for the Kiwis. Liu saw space and just charged over the line!

New Zealand 24-4

54

PENALTY NEW ZEALAND! Ruck speed is killing the Samoan side now, lazy defense getting exposed.

New Zealand 20-4

52

SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NEW ZEALAND: Conversion attempt by Shaun Johnson successful.

In front, and no problem for Johnson.

New Zealand 20-4

52

TRY NEW ZEALAND: Scored by Kodi Nikorima. Kick to come.

GREEN LIGHTS.. TRY! It went upstairs, Johnson just deftly put one through for Nikorima to gobble up! Kiwis have lifted another level in this half.

New Zealand 18-4

51

Leilua tries to drill one into touch but he lofted it over.. on the full. Kiwi ball near halfway.

New Zealand 14-4

49

UNFORCED ERROR NEW ZEALAND: Gerard Beale makes an unforced error.

It is all happening in Auckland! Martin Taupau retrieves the ball against the feed, almost goes the required distance. Kiwis stretch it left and Beale loses it.

New Zealand 14-4

47

Kiwis just look on another level following that score! They just burst upfield in four charges, the hot potato in midfield didn't go to hands. Samoa scrum.

New Zealand 14-4

45

UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NEW ZEALAND: Conversion attempt by Shaun Johnson unsuccessful.

Third attempt for Johnson, it goes wide.

New Zealand 14-4

45

TRY NEW ZEALAND: Scored by Brad Takairangi. Kick to come.

GREEN LIGHTS.. TRY! Yep, confirmed. The winger just dropped it, right into the path of Takairangi, the Titan pounced.

New Zealand 14-4

45

BUNKER TIME! For the first time tonight, going upstairs. From my eyes, Maumalo just spilled it.

New Zealand 10-4

44

Paulo shinned that kick and the equally unlikely recipient was Simon Mannering.

New Zealand 10-4

42

PENALTY NEW ZEALAND! Caught offside.

New Zealand 10-4

41

UNFORCED ERROR SAMOA: Jazz Tevaga makes an unforced error.

Sloppy way to end a good set, Tevaga was caught cold at half, spilled it cold.

New Zealand 10-4

41

Huge catch to start the half from Samoa's try-scorer, Maumalo, as the visitors ruck it away.

New Zealand 10-4

40

I hope you've all caught your breath! Both teams are back for the second stanza! Samoa to kick-off!

New Zealand 10-4

40

HALFTIME :: Kiwis shot out of the gate, with a pair of tries but were pegged back by a passionate, if erratic Samoa team in that half. 10-4 NZ.

New Zealand 10-4

39

PENALTY SAMOA! That was a shambles of a final play! Nikorima's bomb missed everyone, so the Samoans eventually got to it and won a penalty. One last chance.

New Zealand 10-4

37

UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SAMOA: Conversion attempt by Peter Mata'utia unsuccessful.

Pete Mata'utia with the tee. From the sideline.. he struck it well but wide.

New Zealand 10-4

35

TRY SAMOA: Scored by Ken Maumalo. Kick to come.

Samoa finally on the board! The ball skidded right to Maumalo, who touched down! Joey Leilua popped up on the left to throw the pass after Godinet created space at the ruck.

New Zealand 10-4

33

UNFORCED ERROR SAMOA: Ken Maumalo makes an unforced error.

Maumalo almost volleyball punches that kick. It is a changeover for the Kiwis.

New Zealand 10-0

31

RTS had so much more activities down the left there! He turned it inside and Beale was taken over the sideline.

New Zealand 10-0

28

Dear, oh dear! Kiwis try to spread it again on fifth, but the change of direction saw Johnson float it forward. Samoa start right on halfway, can they mount something before the break.

New Zealand 10-0

28

PENALTY NZ! Leilua was trapped, the Raiders centre tried to throw an offload, which he succeeded in but it was to an offside player.

New Zealand 10-0

28

Samoa right back on the attack after a failed touchfinder from NZ. It came after RTS snaffled it.

New Zealand 10-0

26

PENALTY SAMOA! Brilliant take from Tonumaipea! Now the Kiwi chasers were offside, so a whistle comes. Samoan set starts on their own 40.

New Zealand 10-0

25

Roberts can't put the ball on the spot, so seven tackles coming for the Kiwis. As the coaches ring the changes, Packer on for NZ.

New Zealand 10-0

23

UNFORCED ERROR NEW ZEALAND: Nelson Asofa-Solomona makes an unforced error.

Some huge carries from Asofa-Solomona but it is bundled out of his hands by the Samoan defense. From the next charge, a jilted Kiwi defense, gives away a penalty.

New Zealand 10-0

22

PENALTY NEW ZEALAND! Tapine earns the whistle, as the Kiwis continue to hog possession.

New Zealand 10-0

20

SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NEW ZEALAND: Conversion attempt by Shaun Johnson successful.

From close range this time, Johnson attempts to convert his four-pointer. The halfback does so.

New Zealand 10-0

19

TRY NEW ZEALAND: Scored by Shaun Johnson. Kick to come.

Kiwis burst the line, the tiring Samoan defense couldn't recover and Johnston streaks away! It all came from his teammate Simon Mannering, who strode through the middle.

New Zealand 8-0

18

The play from Samoa is a touch frantic currently! They found space through Pritchard but couldn't convert the chance.

New Zealand 4-0

16

PENALTY SAMOA! DWZ was set right up, the winger darted inside and behind his own man. Relieving whistle for the Samoans.

New Zealand 4-0

15

PENALTY NEW ZEALAND! Nelson Asofa-Solomona just bulldozes onto the ball, knocking defenders back. He earns the whistle.

New Zealand 4-0

14

PENALTY NEW ZEALAND! Holding on way too long. Big chance for the hosts.

New Zealand 4-0

11

New Zealand survive! Papalii was wrapped up well in-goal then last, a grubber went nowhere!

New Zealand 4-0

11

UNFORCED ERROR NEW ZEALAND: Dallin Watene Zelezniak makes an unforced error.

Now, they have forced a massive error from DWZ, as the Kiwis attempted a risky spread.

New Zealand 4-0

10

Tim Lafai tries to burrow down then pops it right to Rapana. Kiwi ball but the Samoan defense is amazing!

New Zealand 4-0

9

PENALTY SAMOA! Play the ball was way too slow. Pressure piling on for the hosts.

New Zealand 4-0

9

UNFORCED ERROR NEW ZEALAND: Adam Blair makes an unforced error.

Whoops! Blair and Taupau got their wires crossed in trying to knock it out. Six more for the Samoans.

New Zealand 4-0

8

Now we have a scrum penalty for Samoa. They start the set inside the Kiwi half.

New Zealand 4-0

7

UNFORCED ERROR NEW ZEALAND: Jared Waerea-Hargreaves makes an unforced error.

Kiwis right on the front foot here. Offloads galore in that set, as JWH tries to charge forward on fifth, it popped out.

New Zealand 4-0

5

UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NEW ZEALAND: Conversion attempt by Shaun Johnson unsuccessful.

Johnson walks in, bounces it out.

New Zealand 4-0

3

TRY NEW ZEALAND: Scored by Jordan Rapana. Kick to come.

Kiwis chance it on last and profit! Johnson was squeezed down the right, shovelled it to Rapana, the winger linked with his half, who duly tossed it back for the score.

New Zealand 4-0

James Child blows his whistle and here we go! Sam Lisone, who calls this ground home, takes the first hit-up for Samoa.

Phew! I am sure, we are all pumped after that! Some passionate performances from both teams, now onto the football! This is going to be a cracker!

Both anthems are finished, beautifully performed! Now we have the Sipi Toa from Samoa and of course, the haka from the kiwis!

Here come the two teams, for the first game on Kiwi soil, in the World Cup! A huge roar went up from Mt Smart as the they entered together. New Zealand in their black jerseys while Samoa in royal blue!

Referees & scorers:

Referee: James Child

Touch Judges: Michael Wise, Tim Roby

Video Referee: Bernard Sutton

NEW ZEALAND (38)
Tries: Jordan Rapana, Shaun Johnson, Brad Takairangi, Kodi Nikorima, Isaac Liu, Roger Tuivasa-sheck, Nelson Asofa-Solomona
Field Goals:
Conversions: Shaun Johnson (5/7)
Penalty Goals:

SAMOA (8)
Tries: Ken Maumalo, Joseph Paulo
Field Goals:
Conversions: Peter Mata'utia (0/2)
Penalty Goals: