Samoa Claim Victory over Brazil in Rugby World Cup Qualifying

Samoa claimed a 48-10 victory over Brazil on Saturday in Rugby World Cup 2027 Qualifying. The win sees Samoa’s quest to be there 24th, and final team confirmed, for Australia 2027 starting well in repechage. The winner of the tournament in Dubai, which also involves Belgium and Namibia, will secure the last-remaining place in Australia 2027.

Both Samoa and Namibia are Rugby World Cup regulars; indeed, Samoa has played at every Men’s Rugby World Cup aside from the inaugural tournament in 1987. Namibia debuted at Rugby World Cup 1999 and played at every subsequent Men’s tournament.

Namibia and Samoa both need wins over Brazil and Belgium as well as each other. Namibia did not start well as they fell 22-15 against Belgium. Notwithstanding, it could have been worse as Namibia snuck in a bonus point with two late tries.

Samoa’s win over Brazil was emphatic but it looked like it would be bigger. Samoa led 22-5 early in the second quarter. Jacob Umaga, born and raised in England and a former English international, opened the scoring. The nephew of former All Black captain, Tana Umaga, scored the opening try.

Brazil responded through Frenchman Théo Bastardie. The winger scored on 13 minutes for Os Tupis. From there it was advantage Samoa over a sustained period. Millenium Sanerivi, Tumua Manu and Vaafauese Apelu Maliko all scored for Samoa who went into half-time leading 29-5.

The second-half saw Samoa adding points through tries to Melani Nanai, Iakopo Mapu and a second to center Tumua Manu. Brazil hit-back in the final quarter through replacement hooker Henrique Ferreira.

The teams return to the field again on Thursday, November 13. Brazil will take-on Belgium and Samoa face Namibia. Brazil notably defeated Belgium in 2024.

• The match officially began international competition between Samoa and Brazil.
• Brazil are competing at the final stage of RWC Qualifying for the first time and are looking to qualify for a first-ever Men’s Rugby World Cup.
• Samoa has competed at nine of the ten past Men’s Rugby World Cups. The only edition without Samoa was the inaugural tournament in 1987 when Samoa were not invited.

BRAZIL (10)
TRY – Bastardie, Ferreira

SAMOA (48)
TRY – Manu (2), Umaga, Sanerivi, Maliko, Nanai e Petelo-Mapu
CON – Umaga (5)
PEN – Umaga (1)

BRAZIL
15 Lucas Tranquez, 14 Théo Bastardie, 13 Lorenzo Massari Temer (capt.), 12 Raphael Hollister, 11 Robert Tenório, 10 João do Amaral, 9 Lucas Spago, 8 André Arruda, 7 Matheus Cláudio, 6 Adrio de Melo, 5 Gabriel Oliveira, 4 Matteo Dell’Acqua, 3 Leonel Moreno, 2 Wilton Rebolo, 1 Caique Segura

Replacements; 16 Henrique Ferreira, 17 Brendon Alves, 18 Vicente Galvão, 19 Ben Donald, 20 Renato Santos, 21 Devon Muller, 22 Thiago Oviedo, 23 Robson Morais

SAMOA
15 Jacob Umaga, 14 Latrell Ah Kiong, 13 Melani Nanai, 12 Tumua Manu, 11 Vaafauese Apelu Maliko, 10 Rodney Iona, 9 Jonathan Taumateine, 8 Iakopo Mapu, 7 Alamanda Motuga, 6 Theo McFarland (capt.), 5 Michael Curry, 4 Benjamin Petaia Nee Nee, 3 Tietie Tuimauga, 2 Millenium Sanerivi, 1 Jarred Adams

Replacements: 16 Lutero Tolai, 17 Titi Lamositele, 18 Michael Alaalatoa, 19 Taleni Seu, 20 Niko Jones, 21 Connor Tupa’i, 22 Faletoi Peni, 23 Lalomilo Lalomilo

Video: To Follow

Referee: Jordan Way (Australia)
Assistant Referees: Eoghan Cross (Ireland); Griffin Colby (South Africa)
TMO: Brett Cronan (Australia)