The Americas-Pacific Rugby Challenge has wrapped up with Samoa A defeating Canada A by 27 points to 22 to claim third place overall.
The Fiji Warriors had to settle for second after losing what was effectively the final of the tournament to Argentina by 27-26, when the South Americans scored a try seconds from time.
Samoa's A team manager, Ramsey Tomokino, says it was good for them to finish the competition on a high note after a tough battle against a gritty Canadian team.
Three tries were scored by each side but the left boot of Jack Saena and a last second drop goal by Patrick Fa’apale proved the difference.
The Samoans had the best of the early exchanges with two converted tries in the first quarter against one penalty goal by Andrew Ferguson.
Oneone Fa’afou was on the end of a long-range counter strike and then the flanker was involved again soon after, his pass putting Ope Peleseuma into the corner. Saena’s kick from the sideline split the uprights for a 14-3 lead.
Canada replied through their scrum at the half-hour mark. The Samoan scrum disintegrated on their own line and as Admir Cejvanovic fell over the line the referee went under the sticks for the penalty try, with Ferguson adding the easy extras.
Saena impressed with his running skills as well, creating space by attacking the line and then his inside support line was rewarded with a breakaway try. The flyhalf converted his own touchdown to make it an 11 point gap at the break. Ferguson was off target on a penalty chance as Fa’afou was binned for a cynical penalty at the breakdown.
The second half showed promise for Canada with gaps starting to open in a tiring Samoan defense. A nifty give-and-go interchange between Rory McDonell and Kainoa Lloyd broke the line and Ben LeSage came roaring up in support to tear away untouched from 25 metres out. Ferguson’s conversion cut the lead to only four but despite continual pressure, it would be nearly 20 minutes before Canada managed to put points on the board again.
Reserves came on to replace tired legs and Canada won a scrum deep in Samoan territory. This time the Islanders managed to keep their feet but they could not stop Gordon McRorie from scoring after the scrumhalf broke from the back. The try put Canada in the lead for the first time but somehow McRorie missed the routine conversion.
A soft penalty at the breakdown handed Saena his chance to take three and he did not disappoint. Samoa gave Canada no chances in the closing moments with Fa’apale’s drop goal direct from a scrum sealing the victory and drawing the final whistle.