Samoa have survived an almighty scare in cairns, drawing 14 all against Scotland to book a place in the quarter-finals.
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Final score
Samoa 14
Scotland 14
Samoa and Scotland will fight it out for third place in Group B and a place in the quarter-finals against Australia at the Rugby League World Cup. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 5:15pm (AEDT).
Samoa has endured a tough start to the World Cup, suffering defeats to strong opposition in New Zealand and Tonga.
However, given the nature of the draw, Samoa will still seal a quarter-final berth if they defeat Scotland this afternoon, given that the first three teams in their group qualify for the last eight.
Samoa have toiled hard thus far, but lacked the overall class of both Tonga and New Zealand to go the extra mile and secure a win.
Of real concern for Samoa is their play in the halves. Ben Roberts and Joseph Paulo have played at the highest level in the NRL but just haven’t clicked as a combination this tournament.
Despite this, Samoa should be expected to account for Scotland this afternoon and approach an expected quarter-final against Australia with plenty of confidence.
Indeed Samoa’s opening two matches have been played against two of the perennial title contenders for the World Cup. If anything, Samoa have prepared well for a quarter-final showdown against Australia and should begin to flex their muscle this afternoon against the Scots.
Scotland meanwhile, have endured a very tough tournament to date, suffering heavy defeats to both Tonga and New Zealand. After testing the Kiwis in the opening eight minutes of last week’s contest, the Scots fell away as soon as they conceded the opening two tries in quick succession.
Despite that, they sit on zero points like Samoa and are in with a chance of qualification if they can win this afternoon. Doing it without Danny Brough will be a major difficulty though.
Indeed if Samoa are able to build that sort of momentum, then the island nation could rack up yet another score today.
Prediction
Samoa should win comfortably, but they need to develop combinations if they are any hope of challenging the Kangaroos in the quarter-finals. Josh Papalii, in particular, needs a big game for Samoa. He is a real X-factor but hasn’t been getting the service required to assert his presence up front.
If Papalii and company can build form, Samoa should beat Scotland and perhaps, maybe, achieve the impossible against the mighty Kangaroos.
Samoa by 40.
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Terry Tavita
Guest
hats off to the scots..i actually wanted them to win..and i'm samoan..
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Nah guv, Australia for the win. Unfortunate for Scotland. I thought they went for their last field goal attempt to early. Such is life.
Alan
Roar Guru
Samoa have survived an almighty scare in cairns, drawing 14 all against Scotland to book a place in the quarter-finals. Scotland produced an admirable performance after suffering heavy defeats against New Zealand and Tonga. Scottish forwards Luke Douglas and Mariano were strong upfront and laid a great platform for Addy and Thomas to dictate terms well in the halves. In comparison, Samoa were extremely flat today and obviously may have had one eye on a potential quarter-final against Australia next week. Overall, their attack was below par and Scotland defended well whenever they were under pressure. Despite their poor performance, Samoa did enough in the end to secure the result required to book a match-up against Australia. Samoa though need to improve considerably if they are any hope of sticking with the Kangaroos, let alone beating them. Samoa 14 Scotland 14
Scott Pryde
Expert
Woah. A draw. Samoa through on for and against. What a crazy day. I have a funny feeling something weird will happen in Aus v Lebanon tonight now.
Alan
Roar Guru
FULLTIME Samoa 14 Scotland 14
Alan
Roar Guru
79' - Scotland getting into position here. Addy with a cracking strike from distance but the wind takes the ball left! Samoa should hold on now! Samoa 14 Scotland 14
Alan
Roar Guru
78' - Poor kick yet again and Scotland get a 20 metre restart. Samoa 14 Scotland 14
Alan
Roar Guru
77' - Addy with the kick and Samoa back in possession with just minutes left. Remember the draw suits Samoa just fine. Samoa 14 Scotland 14
Alan
Roar Guru
76' - Samoa in position now. Right on the attack. Knock on though! Scotland once again hold on in defence! Great attitude from the bravehearts! Samoa 14 Scotland 14
Alan
Roar Guru
75' - Thomas with the field goal attempt but he misses! Gee that was tight for Samoa....they are living dangerously... Samoa 14 Scotland 14
Alan
Roar Guru
74' - Samoa not out of danger yet as Scotland work it into field goal position... Samoa 14 Scotland 14
Alan
Roar Guru
PENALTY MISSED Samoa 14 Scotland 14
Alan
Roar Guru
73' - Penalty to Scotland they are going for goal....big big kick coming up now. Wow. Samoa 14 Scotland 14
Alan
Roar Guru
72' - Bad knock on from Ese'ese and Scotland in prime position for another attempt at field goal perhaps... Samoa 14 Scotland 14
Alan
Roar Guru
70' - Big tackle from Papalii and he forces the error from Douglas no less. Two NRL forwards clash. Samoa with the scrum. Samoa 14 Scotland 14
Alan
Roar Guru
68' - Samoa with an error. Scotland in position. Field goal perhaps.... Samoa 14 Scotland 14
Alan
Roar Guru
Just to confirm that a draw here will see Samoa go through to face Australia given their superior differential. Scotland still well in this. All to play for! Samoa 14 Scotland 14
Alan
Roar Guru
Tonumaipea scores for Samoa. Short ball to the fullback and he hit the gap to score. Big kick coming up... CONVERSION MISSED Samoa 14 Scotland 14
Alan
Roar Guru
65' - Samoa not asking too many questions here as Scotland defend well. This time though Samoa are over! TRY SAMOA Samoa 14 Scotland 14
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Holy smoke, can I cash out now?