Samoa have unveiled a potential new star first five-eighth, Auckland teen D'Angelo Leuila.
Papatoetoe's D'Angelo Leuila has stepped up on the world rugby stage, starring for Samoa in a 25-23 win over Canada.
The Papatoetoe Under-19 a player kicked 20 points for Samoa to hold off Canada 25-23 to end their European rugby tour on a high on Friday (NZT Saturday).
Making his first start for Samoa, Leuila's expert goalkicking proved the difference in slotting four penalties, two dropped goals, and converted Samoa's only try in the match played in the French city of Grenoble.
Meanwhile, Canada scored three tries in the last 22 minutes to roar back from 19-6 down and threaten to beat Samoa for the first time in six attempts - but they fell short with two of the tries not converted.
Leuila helped Samoa under-20s win the second-tier Junior World Trophy in May, and made his Samoa debut in June as a replacement against Georgia.
The former Papatoetoe High School student turned 19 since then, and was picked to tour Europe after regular first-five Tusi Pisi was sidelined by a groin injury.
Following losses to France (52-8) and Georgia (20-16), Samoa were made to counterattack early for centre Paul Perez's try. Leuila converted, dropped a goal, and hit a penalty for Samoa to lead 13-0 after 14 minutes.
Samoa led 16-6 by halftime, then 19-6 against the run of play. Soon after, lock Taiasina Tuifu'a was yellow-carded for a late tackle on fullback Matt Evans, and Canada scored their first try by driving over flanker Evan Olmstead from a lineout.
Even after veteran Canada lock Jamie Cudmore was sin-binned in the 62nd, his team notched their second try when winger and captain DTH van der Merwe scooped up a perfect bounce from a Phil Mack box kick and ran in.
The conversion was missed again, and Canada trailed 19-16.
With Tuifu'a restored, Leuila kicked over his second dropped goal then his fourth penalty after he was hit late by counterpart Connor Braid.
When Cudmore returned, Van der Merwe scored his second try from a cross-kick by Braid, who also converted. But time ran out, and Canada return home winless on tour after defeats to Ireland (52-21) and Romania (21-14).
Photo: David Joseph / Phototek.nz