Present: just me and Kai (who has been surprisingly patient with rugby so far. Canine patience is new to me).
Pre-match expectations: this is the Samoa who put Australia to shame in their World Cup preparation game in July, beating the Wallabies 32-23. Nothing more than sweeping expansive rugby by huge fast men is in order.
Predictions: a rout by Samoa. How much will depend on themselves rather than the opposition, who struggled manfully against fellow islanders Fiji in Saturday’s 49-25 defeat.
Half-time status: Samoa do not disappoint, putting away a try in the first 46 seconds. Indeed, what is most impressive about the Samoan team is their ability to trip themselves up. For most, if not all of this half they dominate the game, only let down by senseless passing or their own physical limitations. At one point a Namibian player tries a mazy run only to run straight into one Samoan player and drop to the floor. The player, Paul Williams, gets sinbinned, but Samoa head in at half-time at 25-0.
Full-time status: the Samoans look nervy at the start but quickly start racking up the points, as Alesana Tuilagi bags a hat-trick. However, more dubious passing and dodgy running leads to Namibia getting a look in and scoring an improbable but marvelous try. This is followed by more handbags and a Namibia yellow card, a penalty try to Samoa and another surprise break by the Africans gets Namibia a try under the posts. An entertaining game, the Samoans have a lot in their favour but they made some really questionable decisions and were lucky not to have been caught out more. The game finished 49-12.
Man of the match: has to be Alesana Tuilagi, who is massive and fast and has a knack of being able to run in a straight unstoppable line. His hat-trick is well deserved.
Food: leftover curry from Saturday and a glass of whisky. Yum.
Conversation keywords: there was remarkably little conversation between myself and Kai.
Comments: Namibian forward Jane Du Toit is the biggest man I’ve ever seen with a girl’s name. Explaining the Samoan cross-dressing tradition of fa’afafine in 140 characters is beyond me.
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