Kiwis Claim Thrilling 24-18 Victory Over Samoa in Pacific Cup

The Kiwis secured a dramatic 24-18 victory against Samoa in the Pacific Cup at Go Media Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland on October 29, 2023. The match showcased thrilling athleticism, culminating in a late try from Dylan Brown that clinched the win, denying Samoa their first triumph against New Zealand in six encounters.

A large contingent of Samoan supporters filled the stadium, rallying behind their team, which includes approximately 135,000 Samoans residing in Auckland. The atmosphere was electric as the Kiwis aimed to maintain their dominance over Samoa, but the match was anything but straightforward.

The Kiwis started strong with two early tries from Casey McLean, who scored at the 9th and 21st minutes. However, Samoa responded with determination, with captain Jarome Luai leading the charge. Brown’s pivotal try in the 74th minute, where he leapt to catch a kick from Kieran Foran and grounded the ball despite crashing into the post-pad, ultimately sealed the victory.

In a post-match interview, Brown, who recently signed a ten-year contract with the Newcastle Knights valued at AUD 1.3 million per season, reflected on the game, stating, “Samoa’s challenge was everything we expected. We got some lucky points in the end.”

The Kiwis initially took the lead with McLean’s first try, benefiting from strong support from the forwards, particularly Joseph Tapine. The young centre capitalized on an offload from teammate Isaiah Papali’i to extend New Zealand’s lead.

Samoa, inspired by their vocal supporters, fought back with tries from Deine Mariner and Simi Sasagi, leveling the score at 12-12 by halftime. The Kiwis managed to regain the lead just before the break through a try from Matthew Timoko, set up by a clever kick from Brown.

As the second half progressed, Samoa continued to apply pressure, with Murray Taulagi scoring their third try, which drew the match level again at 18-18. Despite opportunities to take the lead, Samoa was unable to capitalize on crucial moments, including a dropped pass from Mariner that could have resulted in a certain try.

The Kiwis, buoyed by their defense, found the winning edge through Brown’s acrobatic play. Jamayne Isaako contributed with four successful conversions, adding to the Kiwis’ total.

After the match, Foran, who made his 32nd international appearance, expressed his pride in the team’s performance and noted the match as one of the best he has participated in. “If anyone was going to go up and come down with it, it was Dyl,” he remarked, highlighting Brown’s decisive impact.

The Kiwis will next face Tonga in Auckland on November 2, 2023, while Samoa prepares for their match against Tonga in Brisbane next weekend. This thrilling encounter not only showcased the competitive spirit of both teams but also set the stage for an exciting continuation of the Pacific Cup series.