Samoa qualify for Rugby World Cup 2011
Manu Samoa beat the Pukpuks of Papua New Guinea 73-12 in Port Moresby on Saturday to win 188-19 on aggregate over their two play-off ties and qualify for Rugby World Cup 2011.
Samoa becomes the second nation to progress through the global qualifying process, following Canada's qualification last weekend, and the 14th to secure its place in the tournament.
The Samoans join defending World Champions South Africa in Pool D along with Wales and Fiji. The pool line-up will be completed by the winner of Africa's qualifying final, between Tunisia and Namibia in November.
Samoa started at the Lloyd Robson stadium at a ferocious pace and wing Mikaele Pesamino crossed for the first of his three tries after just four minutes.
Five more unanswered first half tries by Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu, Andrew Williams (2), Semo Sititi and a second for Pesamino put the result beyond doubt, and Titi Esau landed four of the conversions to make the score 38-0 at the break.
Papua New Guinea centre Chris Hogi on the attack against Samoa - Photo: Oceaniarugby.com
Roared on by the partisan home crowd, the hosts were the first onto the scoreboard after the break, Roland Namo scoring on 56 minutes to spark celebration.
Fuimaono-Sapolu hit back for the Samoans, however, who also notched further scores amid a raft of substitutions through Afa Aiono, Meki Magele, Pesamino and Gavin Williams.
With the Samoans relaxing late on, Jack Maraha restored some pride and delighted the passionate home support with a deserved consolation try for the Pukpuks.
