A gallant loss - but it's not all over

By WYNNE GRAY in MELBOURNE

ENGLAND 35 SAMOA 22

Samoa have one more shot at World Cup quarter-final glory, one last opportunity to emulate their giant-killing predecessors who reached that tournament high in the 90s.

That chance comes against the Springboks on Saturday, but the gallant group of Samoans released from club contracts round the world gave England a mother of a fright before they fell 35-22 late last night in Melbourne.

It was a belter of a game, the stir this lop-sided tournament needed, a test of artery-popping tension as Samoa saluted their rich rugby heritage.

For a wondrous opening spell Samoa suggested they could upset England's recent iron-run, while the crowd wondered whether rugby's version of Fields of Omagh nailing Lonhro could hit the city twice in one weekend.

England coach Clive Woodward was forced to bring on his topliners after the interval to stem the bleeding and come up with a transfusion, his side unable to take the lead permanently until Ian Balshaw scored 12 minutes from the close after a Jonny Wilkinson cross-kick.

In the stands the All Black coaching staff watched Samoa keep the ball and attack England with every ounce of their attacking flair from any area of the field.

It had been an All Black tactic, one they wanted to use against England until the atrocious Wellington weather in June destroyed that plan.

Last night they watched their blueprint working, knowing they have even more firepower to test England if they meet in this World Cup.

Samoa created huge defensive unease as they attacked England out wide, while their tackling rattled the composure of the Six Nations champions, and they savaged England at the breakdown.

It could not last, Samoa finally succumbing to the weight of England possession, their crunching scrum, fitness levels, the demands of repetitive tackling, but it was a heck of a contest while it lasted.

The initial rewards were huge against an England side who contained 10 of their best as Samoa reached halftime 16-13 ahead.

Five-eighth Earl Va'a kick-started Samoa's challenge with a penalty after two minutes, before captain Semo Setiti crowned a stunning 80m run of phase play and glorious interaction with a fifth-minute try.

It was the first try England had conceded at this tournament, and the shell-shocked men in white looked up at an early 10-point deficit on the electronic scoreboard.

England 35 (N. Back, I. Balshaw, P. Vickery tries, penalty try; J. Wilkinson 2 pen, 3 con, dropped goal) Samoa 22 ( S. Setiti, try; E. Va'a 5 pen, con). HT: 13-16.