"They didn't qualify for the tournaments in 2017 or 2021, and they were whitewashed 73-0 by Australia in the first round of this one on the opening weekend. So Franklin's Gardens fell awfully quiet when the team won a scrum penalty just inside England's half in the 42nd minute, 32m out, and straight in front of the posts. Everyone knew what was at stake in that next moment, and it was a hell of a lot more than cutting three points off England's lead."
"Their coach, Ramsey Tomokino, was expecting them to tap-and-go, 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 team were so surprised by it that no one thought to bring on a kicking tee,"
Samoa ended an 11-year World Cup scoring drought with a penalty at Franklin's Gardens after missing the 2017 and 2021 tournaments and a 73-0 opening loss to Australia. The points came from a scrum penalty inside England's half, 32m out and in front of the posts, late in the first half. Captain Sui Pauarasia asked young fly-half Harmony Vatau to take the kick despite coach Ramsey Tomokino expecting a tap-and-go. Players scrambled without a kicking tee as the shot clock ticked, yet the kick sailed between the uprights. Travelling fans erupted, the team celebrated, and the score restored pride and hope.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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