Scotland end tour with seven-try thrashing of Samoa / Photo: DAVID ROWLAND - AFP
Scotland end tour with seven-try thrashing of Samoa
An improved Scotland finished their season-ending Pacific tour on a high note Friday, scoring seven tries to outclass Samoa 41-12 in a fast-paced Test in Auckland.
The tourists responded to a pre-match call from coach Gregor Townsend to produce a "strong performance" after going down 29-14 to Fiji in Suva last week.
Two tries in the first 15 minutes gave Scotland early control and the result was in hand when they led 22-0 at halftime against the 13th-ranked Samoans, who were fielding a weakened side in their first match of the year.
Samoa never looked like achieving their second win over Scotland in 13 meetings, out-muscled in the set pieces and only coming to life on attack in the second half.
The Scots were missing a host of first-choice players on duty with the British and Irish Lions, while key two figures -- midfielder Tom Jordan and back-rower Jamie Ritchie -- were ruled out after suffering injuries against Fiji.
Scotand's opening try went to hooker Ewan Ashman, who was to leave for Melbourne on Sunday with team-mate Rory Sutherland to join the Lions tour squad.
The pair will provide player cover for the Lions' match against a First Nations and Pasifika XV on Tuesday.
Rory Hutchinson crossed after chasing a deft kick from fellow-midfielder Stafford McDowall, while wings Arron Reed and Kyle Steyn both scored slick tries before the interval.
Lock Grant Gilchrist, fullback Kyle Rowe and reserve hooker George Turner added Scottish tries in the second half.
Samoa's two tries were scored by lock Benjamin Petaia Nee-Nee and centre Duncan Paia'aua.
A Samoan highlight was the debut of back-rower Niko Jones, the son of All Blacks great Michael Jones, who impressed when he came off the bench in the second half.
Scotland finished the tour with two wins from three matches, having opened with a 29-26 defeat of the Maori All Blacks in Whangarei.
S.Scott--PI
