England scored 14 tries in their 92-3 thrashing of Samoa at the Rugby World Cup this morning – an avalanche of points against a solitary penalty from Harmony Vatau.
But, while a group of part-timers from the other side of the world were overrun by the professional England juggernaut at Northampton’s Franklin’s Gardens, those three points were significant for they are the first Samoa have scored at a World Cup in 11 years.
Samoa lost their first pool match at this tournament against Australia 73-0 and were hoping to keep the white-shirted professionals to under the Wallaroos’ score. They couldn’t manage that, but they achieved something else.
After winning a penalty 32m out from the posts in the 42nd minute, their coach, Ramsey Tomokino, was expecting them to tap and go, according to the Guardian.
“They had prepared for it in the week, but on the pitch their captain, Sui Pauarasia, turned to her young fly half, Harmony Vatau, and said: “You got this?” instead. “She’s a pretty shy player,” Pauarasia said afterwards, “but she looked back at me and nodded.”
The ground, with up to 15,000 in attendance, fell silent, and, once the ball sailed through the posts, it erupted, and the Samoa players danced back to halfway.
“Just to see the jubilation on the face of Harmony and the girls was heartwarming,” Tomokino said.
Samoa did not qualify for the tournaments in 2017 or 2021 – the latter in New Zealand and played in 2022 due to Covid.
“Our girls have worked really hard to be here,” an emotional Tomokino added. “To walk off the bus and be applauded like that, we’ve never had that, we’ve never had the opportunity to play in front of 14,000 like we did tonight, and our girls deserve it.
“I know there was a worry that England’s score could get to triple figures, and I know people have been talking about whether that is good for the game or not, but I think what’s good for the game is that we’re here and we’re getting better,” he said.
After the match, players from both teams hugged and danced on the pitch.
“We’ve been longing to be part of a professional competition for some time,” Tomokino said. “I know if we get given these same opportunities, we will be a far stronger team.
“I long for the day where the competition for the women is like it is for the men, the sooner we can get to there, the better.”
The New Zealand Black Ferns play their second pool match of this tournament tomorrow morning against Japan. They won their first 54-8 against Spain in York.
England 92 (Jess Breach 3, Megan Jones 2, Sarah Bern, Maddie Feaunati, Lark Atkin-Davies, Lucy Packer, Kelsey Clifford, Mackenzie Carson, Helena Rowland, Marlie Packer, Claudia Moloney-MacDonald tries; Rowland 11 conversions)
Samoa 3 (Harmony Vatau penalty).
Halftime: 47-0