Samoans learn the most

As the Samoans trotted on a circuit of Lansdowne Road to acknowledge the genuine applause of those supporters who had lingered after the final whistle, it was difficult to escape the feeling that they had extracted more from yesterday's defeat by Ireland than had the home side.

Theirs was largely a development team, bolstered by the presence of established players like captain and flanker Semo Sititi and the midfield partnership of Inga Tuigamala and Brian Lima. True to their traditions, they pursued an expansive game and hit hard in defence, and for long periods of the match made Ireland look decidedly ordinary.

Tuigamala was not alone in his assertion that the final margin flattered the Irish a little. Not that he was being churlish; the former All Black was extremely positive in his assessment of Irish rugby.

"We certainly admire and respect the Irish team. We have a lot of similarities in terms of the way we like to play. It was tremendous to be able to go out in a stadium like Lansdowne Road and throw the ball about."

Samoan team manager, New Zealander John Boe, pointed out: "We created scoring opportunities but didn't finish, passes not going to hand. You have to take the scoring opportunities. We're good ambassadors and we did our best."

It was a fair analysis of a scrappy encounter, littered with turnovers and not helped by the fussy interpretation of Scottish official Iain Ramage.

Despite good field position, be it from scrum or lineout, Ireland struggled firstly for accuracy of execution and then lacked the poise and cutting edge at times to finish off the Samoan challenge.

It was therefore hardly surprising that the atmosphere at the Irish press conference was muted, reflected further in coach Warren Gatland's assertion that the display had been "workmanlike".

Most of the post-match outpourings centred on the injury problems that bedevilled the selection and the preparation of the Ireland team for yesterday's match.

When asked if Ireland had been holding back on some moves ahead of next Saturday's game against New Zealand, stand-in captain Mick Galwey admitted that had been the case to some degree.

"Well, certainly there were a few moves that we didn't use, but we were never really in the position when we were comfortable. When they came back and got their try, we were under a bit of pressure at that stage. It was probably only when the subs came on at the end that we had the game won. We had a penalty and we called a scrum off it because the backs wanted to do a move. We were happy that we managed to score off it, from first phase play."

And what of next Saturday and Ireland's clash with the New Zealand? The former All Black wing Tuigamala was gracious in his evaluation. "I think Ireland can give them a good go. The set-up here since professionalism is good and Irish rugby is on a high. There is no reason why the players won't believe that they can win."