Iffy Ireland survive Samoa onslaught

Ireland edged Samoa 17-13  in rainy conditions but suffered a major setback ahead of the global showpiece when veteran prop Cian Healy limped off with what appeared to be a calf injury in Bayonne on Saturday.

ALSO READ: Elton Jantjies tests positive for BANNED substance

IRELAND EXPOSED BY PACIFIC ISLANDERS

Healy, playing in his 125th international, was hurt in the first half and was in serious pain as he was helped to the touchline.

With coach Andy Farrell set to reveal his squad for the Rugby World Cup on Sunday, the 35-year-old Healy faces a worrying race for fitness.

Ireland showed 12 changes from the side that thrashed England 29-10 last weekend.

ALSO READ: SA Rugby reacts to Elton Jantjies substance abuse bombshell

They were ahead after just nine minutes on Saturday when fullback Jimmy O’Brien scored a try, set up by a smart crossfield kick from flyhalf Jack Crowley and support work from winger Mack Hansen.

Crowley, who added the conversion for 7-0, was playing in place of suspended first-choice flyhalf and captain Johnny Sexton.

Healy’s evening ended after 20 minutes and Samoa began to get a foothold in the game.

Fullback Duncan Paia’aua scored Samoa’s only try in the 36th minute, racing away after an attempted pass from Irish centre Stuart McCloskey had hit him in the face.

Former New Zealand flyhalf Lima Sopoaga succeeded with the conversion for 7-7.

Sopoaga made his last All Blacks appearance in 2017 but benefits from a World Rugby rule change to play for the Pacific Islanders through family links.

Sopoaga then kicked a penalty in the closing moments of the first half for a 10-7 interval lead for the Pacific islanders.

PHOTO | Visual story of how Springboks SLAYED All Blacks

The 32-year-old was successful with another penalty five minutes into the second period as Samoa edged to a 13-7 lead.

Ireland cut the deficit to 13-12 moments later when scrumhalf Conor Murray scored off a clever chip ahead from Jacob Stockdale but Crowley missed the conversion.

Irish forward power allowed them to take charge as replacement hooker Rob Herring crashed over off a maul with just over an hour played.

Crowley again went wide with his kick but a 13th successive win for the Irish was secured.

Ireland begin their World Cup campaign against Romania on September 9 with Samoa facing Chile in their opener on September 16.

MUST READ | World press view: “Springboks bruised All Blacks’ egos and bodies”

HOW THE TEAMS LINED UP

Ireland — 15 Jimmy O’Brien, 14 Mack Hansen, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Keith Earls, 10 Jack Crowley, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Caelan Doris, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Ryan Baird, 5 Tadhg Beirne, 4 Iain Henderson (captain), 3 Finlay Bealham, 2 Tom Stewart, 1 Cian Healy.
Subs: 16 Rob Herring, 17 Jeremy Loughman, 18 Tom O’Toole, 19 James Ryan, 20 Peter O’Mahony, 21 Craig Casey, 22 Ross Byrne, 23 Garry Ringrose.

Samoa — 15 Duncan Paia’aua, 14 Ed Fidow, 13 UJ Seuteni, 12 Tumua Manu, 11 Nigel Ah Wong, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Jonathan Taumateine, 8 Steven Luatua, 7 Fritz Lee, 6 Taleni Seu, 5 Theo McFarland, 4 Chris Vui (co-captain), 3 Paul Alo-Emile, 2 Seilala Lam, 1 James Lay.
Subs: 16 Sama Malolo, 17 Jordan Lay, 18 Michael Alaalatoa (co-captain), 19 Miracle Fai’ilagi, 20 Jordan Taufua, 21 Ereatara Enari, 22 Christian Leali’ifano, 23 Neria Foma’i.

© Agence France-Presse