World Under-21s/Ireland - 29 Samoa - 21: A try in the final few seconds gave Ireland the all-important bonus point and victory over Samoa in their second-round match of the IRB Under-21 World Championship at the Marista ground in Mendoza yesterday, but at one stage Ireland were staring down the barrel of defeat.
Coach Mark McDermott summed up collective feelings when he said, "I just feel relief. Getting the bonus point was great."
Ireland had looked winners in the opening quarter with a controlled performance by their forwards that threatened to produce scores. But against the run of play, it was Samoa who garnered the first points with a penalty by outhalf Rambo Tavana.
The Irish breakthrough came with a pushover try by number eight Stephen Ferris and the conversion by outhalf Gareth Steenson.
Then when Dan Riordan celebrated his first start for the side with a try, Ireland looked to be in charge of matters.
A penalty by Tavana triggered a period of dominance for Samoa who added further points with a try by hooker Andrew Viliamu and the conversion points by Tavana to give the Pacific islanders a 13-12 interval lead.
Then just on the hour mark Samoa stretched their lead after Ireland turned over ball in a cluttered attack, winger Mikaele Pesamino following up his own chip kick to score in the corner.
A Steenson penalty reduced the Samoa lead to three points and from then on Ireland took control of the game, regaining the lead with a try by Riordan from a poor kick out of defence by Samoa and then taking maximum points from Steenson's conversion.
Ireland needed a fourth try to secure the bonus point and they left it until the final play of the match to secure the all-important score. It came from a penalty-created lineout and massive drive that ended with Ferris touching down to put Ireland back on track in the championship.
In the day's other matches, New Zealand predictably pulverised Canada 92-7; South Africa enjoyed a 34-16 victory over England; and Wales saw off Scotland 24-8. Italy gave the fancied French a run for their money before going down 40-43, while Australia also found the Argentinians a tough proposition, winning 25-20.
SCORERS: Ireland: Tries - Ferris (2), Riordan (2); Cons - Steenson (3); Pens - Steenson; Samoa: Tries - Viliamu, Pesamino; Con - Tavana; Pens - Tavana (3)
IRELAND: R McCarron; P Hurley, A Trimble, G Stafford, D Riordan; G Steenson (capt), G Hurley; G Maxwell, S Philpott, J Andress; R Noonan, R Caldwell; K McLaughlin, C Henry, S Ferris. Replacement: C Willis.
SAMOA: B Thetadig; M Pesamino, E Sefo, G Salima, F Otto; R Tavana (capt), J Lemisio; S Faata, A Viliamu, J Grey; J Tafunai, J Lowrey; S Sasagi, S Mikaele, A Tuimaga.
Referee: C Damasco (Italy).
