Samoan lock Sauaso Sue scored his first Test try as his side cruised to their first win at Rugby League World Cup 2013, beating Papua New Guinea 38-4 at Craven Park, Hull.
The Samoans ran in seven tries though five different scorers, with Anthony Milford kicking five goals in the process.
Both teams came into the game off the back of defeats, though each had been competitive, Samoa running in five tries against New Zealand while PNG were just one kick away from beating France.
Samoa got off to a perfect start, scoring the games first try after just 93 seconds. PNGs Larsen Marabe spilled the ball in the second tackle of the match, gifting Samoa a good attacking position which led to Suaia Matagi touching down.
They increased their lead after nine minutes thanks again to PNGs errors. Samoa were gifted multiple sets in front of their opponents line, and eventually made the pressure tell when Winterstein found space to go over in the corner.
Anthony Milford was unlucky to hit a post in attempting to convert from a difficult angle, but the theme for this brisk, bitter night in East Hull night had already been set.
A promising PNG move around the half way line broke down though loose handling which allowed Daniel Vidot to steal the ball and initiate what would develop into a lovely Samoan move. Quick passing eventually saw Joseph Leilua offload to Pita Godinet who scored Samoas third try in just 15 minutes.
Milford, who had converted his sides third try moments earlier, kept up the pressure as he weaved through the porous PNG defence but was unlucky to be held up when over the line.
Going into the second quarter PNG, buoyed by chants of encouragement from Craven Parks packed East Stand, looked to have opened their account. They attacked and a huge cheer erupted when Josiah Abavu crossed the line. Unfortunately the try was disallowed, the referee judging that the pass he received from the experienced Menzie Yere was forward.
Their disappointment was compounded when the Samoans swept up-field and worked the ball out to the left for Winterstein to run in his second try of the night. Milford landed a fine conversion from the touchline to underline their dominence.
For all of their error-strewn defensive play, PNG looked threatening in attack. But their opponents were adapt at both completing their sets and gaining territory at the same time.
Just before half-time Ben Roberts snapped up a PNG kick on the half way line and was unchallenged as he cantered to the line. Milford made it 28-0 at the interval with the conversion.
At half-time PNG captain Neville Costigan spoke of how his side needed to show more belief in themselves to get back into the game and they did early in the second period. They finally managed to break through a stubborn Samoan defence enabling Jessie Joe Nandye to run in their first try of the night.
Suddenly PNG found new belief and attacked down the left flank with the fans in the East Stand terrace roaring them on each time they mounted a challenge.
However, it didnt last as Samoas Sauaso Sue powered over the line, taking a number of defending yellow shirts with him, for his sides sixth try. Milford was again on target with the conversion and there was still time for Roberts to kick through for Winterstein to slide in and complete his hat-trick try as Samoa rounded off an impressive display.
Attendance: 6871
Papua New Guinea
1 David Mead
2 Josiah Abavu
3 Menzie Yere
4 Isreal Eliab
5 Nene McDonald
6 Dion Aiye
7 Ray Thompson
8 Mark Mexico
9 Paul Aiton
10 Larsen Marabe
11 Jessie Joe Nandye
12 Jason Chan
13 Neville Costigan
Interchange
14 Charlie Wabo
15 Richard Kambo
16 Jason Tali
17 Enoch Maki
Samoa
1 Anthony Milford
2 Antonio Winterstein
3 Tim Lafai
4 Joseph Leilua
5 Daniel Vidot
6 Penani Manumeasilii
7 Ben Roberts
8 David Fa'alogo
9 Pita Godinet
10 Suaia Matagi
11 Iosia Soliola
12 Leeson Ah Mau
13 Sauaso Sue
Interchange
14 Michael Sio
15 Junior Moors
16 Mark Taufua
17 Mose Masoe
Scorers:
PNG: Try: Nandye
Samoa: Tries: Matagi, Winterstein (3), Godinet, Roberts, Sue Goals: Milford (5)
Officials:
Referee: Shayne Hayne
Touch-judges: Grant Atkins and Chris Leatherbarrow
Video referee: Ashley Klein
The Samoans ran in seven tries though five different scorers, with Anthony Milford kicking five goals in the process.
Both teams came into the game off the back of defeats, though each had been competitive, Samoa running in five tries against New Zealand while PNG were just one kick away from beating France.
Samoa got off to a perfect start, scoring the games first try after just 93 seconds. PNGs Larsen Marabe spilled the ball in the second tackle of the match, gifting Samoa a good attacking position which led to Suaia Matagi touching down.
They increased their lead after nine minutes thanks again to PNGs errors. Samoa were gifted multiple sets in front of their opponents line, and eventually made the pressure tell when Winterstein found space to go over in the corner.
Anthony Milford was unlucky to hit a post in attempting to convert from a difficult angle, but the theme for this brisk, bitter night in East Hull night had already been set.
A promising PNG move around the half way line broke down though loose handling which allowed Daniel Vidot to steal the ball and initiate what would develop into a lovely Samoan move. Quick passing eventually saw Joseph Leilua offload to Pita Godinet who scored Samoas third try in just 15 minutes.
Milford, who had converted his sides third try moments earlier, kept up the pressure as he weaved through the porous PNG defence but was unlucky to be held up when over the line.
Going into the second quarter PNG, buoyed by chants of encouragement from Craven Parks packed East Stand, looked to have opened their account. They attacked and a huge cheer erupted when Josiah Abavu crossed the line. Unfortunately the try was disallowed, the referee judging that the pass he received from the experienced Menzie Yere was forward.
Their disappointment was compounded when the Samoans swept up-field and worked the ball out to the left for Winterstein to run in his second try of the night. Milford landed a fine conversion from the touchline to underline their dominence.
For all of their error-strewn defensive play, PNG looked threatening in attack. But their opponents were adapt at both completing their sets and gaining territory at the same time.
Just before half-time Ben Roberts snapped up a PNG kick on the half way line and was unchallenged as he cantered to the line. Milford made it 28-0 at the interval with the conversion.
At half-time PNG captain Neville Costigan spoke of how his side needed to show more belief in themselves to get back into the game and they did early in the second period. They finally managed to break through a stubborn Samoan defence enabling Jessie Joe Nandye to run in their first try of the night.
Suddenly PNG found new belief and attacked down the left flank with the fans in the East Stand terrace roaring them on each time they mounted a challenge.
However, it didnt last as Samoas Sauaso Sue powered over the line, taking a number of defending yellow shirts with him, for his sides sixth try. Milford was again on target with the conversion and there was still time for Roberts to kick through for Winterstein to slide in and complete his hat-trick try as Samoa rounded off an impressive display.
Attendance: 6871
Papua New Guinea
1 David Mead
2 Josiah Abavu
3 Menzie Yere
4 Isreal Eliab
5 Nene McDonald
6 Dion Aiye
7 Ray Thompson
8 Mark Mexico
9 Paul Aiton
10 Larsen Marabe
11 Jessie Joe Nandye
12 Jason Chan
13 Neville Costigan
Interchange
14 Charlie Wabo
15 Richard Kambo
16 Jason Tali
17 Enoch Maki
Samoa
1 Anthony Milford
2 Antonio Winterstein
3 Tim Lafai
4 Joseph Leilua
5 Daniel Vidot
6 Penani Manumeasilii
7 Ben Roberts
8 David Fa'alogo
9 Pita Godinet
10 Suaia Matagi
11 Iosia Soliola
12 Leeson Ah Mau
13 Sauaso Sue
Interchange
14 Michael Sio
15 Junior Moors
16 Mark Taufua
17 Mose Masoe
Scorers:
PNG: Try: Nandye
Samoa: Tries: Matagi, Winterstein (3), Godinet, Roberts, Sue Goals: Milford (5)
Officials:
Referee: Shayne Hayne
Touch-judges: Grant Atkins and Chris Leatherbarrow
Video referee: Ashley Klein
