Wales lose 76–0 to Samoa in second World Cup match

Wales suffered a 76–0 defeat by Samoa in Wales’ second women’s Rugby League World Cup match at CommBank Stadium in Sydney on Friday. Samoa scored 14 tries, with Tyra Ekepati crossing three times. Pauline Piliae-Rasabale added 10 conversions. The NRL’s final match record gives Samoa a 40–0 half-time lead.

Samoa pull clear

Laikha Clarke opened the scoring after eight minutes. Ekepati and Destiny Mino-Sinapati then crossed as Samoa built a lead, with Amber Hall, Mercedez Taulelei-Siala and Ivana Lolesio also scoring before half time. Mino-Sinapati and Taulelei-Siala each finished with two tries. Evania Isa’ako, Monica Tagoai, Freedom Crichton Ropati and Tavarna Papalii were also among the second-half scorers. The complete scoring sequence is recorded in the match centre.

The difference in attack

Samoa recorded 2,136 running metres to Wales’ 603, according to the NRL. Samoa also made 21 line breaks while Wales made none. Those figures show the difference in attacking progress across the match. Bethan Dainton captained Wales. Amberley Ruck started alongside Tayla Preston in the halves, with Siân Williams and Zoe Heeley on the wings. Both confirmed teams and the replacements are listed in the match centre.

Australia next for Wales

Wales have lost the opening two Pool A matches, following the 70–6 defeat by England in Perth. Wales’ remaining group fixture is against Australia on Sunday 1 November.