England may have finished the easy winners we all expected, but no-one should deny Samoa’s right to be there. They played throughout with pride and courage.
A much changed Red Roses side took three minutes to secure their first score through Meg Jones. Two debutants, Lilli ives Campion with a clean take, then Jade Shekells with a destructive break, played their part.
Jess Breach celebrated her 50th try with a typical step and acceleration to beat her opponent. Scoring two more later, she helped ensure her tries stayed a distance ahead of her caps.
Abi Burton was another new face to make her mark, bullocking her way through three times early on.
The tries rained in. For all Manusinas’ efforts to build moves, they couldn’t keep control long enough to threaten the line. The wind and rain played their part in all four matches.
Maddie Feaunati proved her skills at No 8 by controlling the ball at a fast moving scrum. That brought the bonus point inside 25 minutes.
By half-time England were out of sight at 47-0.
Samoa celebrate – photo World Rugby
Samoa had their great moment shortly after. They won a penalty by destroying an English scrum. Huge cheers. The decision had been made pre-match: they went for the posts to ensure they avoided the zero. Harmony Vatau obliged to delight her supporters and the warm-hearted crowd.
England remained relentless. Like all the other teams, individuals were playing for their places in any future fixture.
One player who stood out was Helena Rowland, who converted no fewer than eleven of the tries, then scored one herself when moved out to the centre, to make room for Zoe Harrison.
A total of 27 points gives her the new English record at RWCs. She is a consummate all-rounder.
The 14 tries England scored make the game look more uneven than it was. The Manusina fought and countered all through. Like their Pasifika sisters, they need even more backing than WR are already giving them. Just imagine a mum leaving her 8-month old babe at home to take part!
It was obvious how much the game meant to them: to play against the world No 1s and in a packed stadium.
Result: England 92 Samoa 3
Player of the Match: Helena Rowland
Referee: Maggie Cogger-Orr (NZR)
Pool A after two rounds:
England 10 points
Australia 8
USA 3
Samoa 0
The tussle for second place next weekend will be as tense as the last of today’s games.
More to come.
