Photo: PAUL ELLIS/AFP
Manusina Samoa's Rugby World Cup has come to an end with a 60-0 loss to the USA Eagles, but it was arguably their best performance of the tournament.
Samoa had more possession in the opening minutes than in their previous games, but a mini-break from Manusina led to a turnover and the Eagles' opening try to Freda Tafuna in the 6th minute.
Samoa put together some good passages of play at the York Community Stadium but small errors like loose passing let them down.
The Eagles needed a bonus-point win, and a big one, to hope to overhaul Australia and reach the quarterfinals - the points difference was 135 going into the match. If Australia came out of their later match with England with even a losing bonus point, they would progress alongside the Red Roses.
The Eagles added their bonus-point fourth try in the 27th minute, but a fifth try was ruled out just before the break on a driving maul technicality.
The US led 27-0 at half-time and had 56 per cent of possession to Samoa's 44, and 64 per cent of territory to Samoa's 36.
The Eagles started the second half strongly and had their sixth try within the first minute, and their seventh in the 44th minute.
A strong carry from Glory Aiono got Samoa down towards the US line, but her pass went to ground and the Eagles managed to get the turnover.
Tafuna got her hat-trick try in the 51st minute.
Around the hour mark Manusina had a strong period of play inside the United States' 22, and a TMO review saw the Eagles' Kristen Bitter sent to the bin for a deliberate knock-down. Samoan fans made themselves heard as Manusina made another push for the line, but the ball was turned over.
While still down to 14 players the US pressed into Samoan territory again and Tafuna scored her fourth try.
Manusina looked like they were in for a try with just over ten minutes to play, as they threw good passes from a scrum, but the ball was lost forward.
Manusina had 69 per cent of possession for a ten-minute period late in the match, but the Eagles' 10th try came in the 77th minute, and the score ended at 60-0.
The fulltime statistics saw the USA with 57 per cent of possession to Samoa's 43 per cent, while the Eagles had 53 per cent of territory to Samoa's 47.
Manusina captain Sui Pauaraisa said she was "super proud" of the Manusina girls.
"It's really sad that it's coming to an end for us but hopefully we will go further in the future, and hopefully Samoa will come back stronger at the next World Cup, because this is where we belong."
US captain, Kate Zackary said they were "a little bit clunky at times" in the first 20 minutes but found their way in the middle 40.
She said they felt scoreline pressure in the last 20 minutes but also Samoa never gave up.
"They strung together some amazing plays, some quick tap penalties which put us under a tonne of pressure."
The outcome of pool A will be decided when Australia plays England at 4am New Zealand time.
