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Tuilagi double seals Samoan win

Saturday 25th August 2007

Tuilagi: starred in Samoa win

Winger Alesana Tuilagi scored two tries and set up a third as Samoa completed their rugby World Cup buildup by defeating English Premiership club Sale Sharks 26-7 at Stockport on Friday.

Samoa led 26-0 after 46 minutes, before conceding a penalty try to the home side, which included five former England internationals.

The win was easily the best of Samoa's mini tour of England, including a 22-21 loss to Harlequins a week ago and a 24-21 win over Northampton Saints on Sunday.

Lock Kane Thompson's converted try started Samoa, then Tuilagi finished off a backs move in the 29th for 12-0.

Eight minutes later, Tuilagi ran out from his own half, chipped ahead and regathered, and inside centre Jerry Meafou and scrum-half Junior Polu were on hand to send in captain Semo Sititi and post a 19-0 lead at the break.

Tuilagi beat four defenders for his second converted try before referee Tony Spreadbury rewarded Sale with the last score.

The scorers:

For Sale Sharks:
Try: Penalty try
Con: Charlie Hodgson

For Samoa:
Tries: Alesana Tuilagi 2, Kane Thompson, Semo Sititi
Cons: Gavin Williams 3