Latrell Ah Kiong of Samoa avoids a tackle from Lucas Tranquez of Brazil during the Men's Rugby World Cup 2027 Final Qualification Tournament match between Samoa and Brazil at The Sevens Stadium on 8 November 2025 in Dubai. Photo: Christopher Pike / World Rugby via Getty Images
Samoa is a step closer to booking its spot at the 2027 Rugby World Cup (RWC) in Australia after recording a second bonus point victory in the Final Qualification Tournament.
The Samoans defeated Namibia 26-8 at The Sevens Stadium in Dubai early on Friday morning (Thursday, UAE time).
They led Namibia 19-0 at halftime and had Namibia on their back most of the half. The win puts them at the top of the four-team competition with 10 points.
The winner of the round-robin tournament, based on competition points, will qualify for the 2027 RWC.
Manu Samoa had beaten Brazil 48-10 in their opening match on
They will play their final game on Wednesday against Belgium, who are also undefeated with 9 points, after winning both their matches against Namibia and Brazil.
A win against the Black Devils will guarantee their place as the 24th team in the inaugural expanded edition of the men's 2027 RWC in Australia.
The Samoans defeated Namibia 26-8 at The Sevens Stadium in Dubai early on Friday morning (Thursday, UAE time). Photo: Facebook / Manu Samoa
How it happened
The Samoans, with former Wallaby Scott Sio making his debut in the blue jersey, showed a glimpse of their better selves - something they had lacked during the Pacific Nations Cup and their two-Test qualifying series against Chile earlier in the year.
Tries to halfback Johnathan Taumeteine, winger Latrell Ah Kiong and his wing partner Vaafauese Apelu Maliko gave them the advantage on the scoreboard after the first 40 minutes.
Fullback Jacob Umaga added two conversions.
Namibian captain and hooker Louis van der Westhuizen worked tirelessly upfront and stole two turnovers inside his team's 22 metre zone as Samoa drove hard towards the line.
Having lost to Belgium in their opening game, the Namibians were under pressure to perform, as they chased a win to keep their hopes of returning to another world cup, alive.
Samoa's starting forward pack featured Sio, Sama Malolo, Tietie Tuimauga, Taleni Seu, captain Theo McFarland, Miracle Faiilagi, Alamanda Motuga and Iakopo Mapu.
The return of their top players and former Wallaby Scott Sio's experience proved too much for the Namibian pack, who struggled to stake their claim in the battle for possession in the set-pieces.
In the second half, Namibia opened the second half with some promise.
They attacked the Samoan line after winning some quality possession and were on the board with their first points through the boots of flyhalf Cliven Loubser, who kicked a successful penalty conversion over the crossbar.
Samoa responded straight after and drove hard into the Namibian 22 with a lineout with winger Maliko stopped short near the corner flag, as Namibia threw in some big tackles.
That denied Samoa's possible fourth try and an early bonus point.
A 53rd lineout win after a flat throw from replacement hooker Millenium Sanerivi to captain McFarland saw the Samoan pack drove towards the line, with flanker Motuga diving over for the try.
Umaga converted as the Samoans led 26-3, with a bonus to their name.
Fresh legs called on to the field at the 50th minute mark was timely as that saw a shift in momentum again for the islanders.
Abraham Papali'i, Michael Alaalatoa and replacement halfback Connor Tupa'I added some fire to the Samoans' go-forward momentum.
On defence, the Namibians also showed some resistance, winning two turnovers inside their 22 again before a break saw them finishing close to the Samoan line, a drop passed ruining what could have been their first try of the game.
Their resistance finally paid off with centre Jay-Cee Nel collecting a bouncing ball from Loubser's chip ahead to score wide, as Samoa led 26-8.
That was after captain van der Westhuizen had crashed through the Samoan defense to set up an attack inside the Samoan half.
The win gives Samoa 10 points, one more than Belgium, who they will face on Wednesday morning in the winner-take-all final clash.
