MANU SAMOA V SCOTLAND: SCOTLAND TOO STRONG FOR SAMOA IN AUCKLAND

Manu Samoa lost to Argentina 19-10 in their second pool match at the Rugby World Cup. Photo: Manu Samoa

Scotland have closed out their Pacific tour with a comprehensive victory over Samoa.

The Scots were in an enterprising mood in Auckland, running in seven tries to thoroughly out-class an understrength Samoan side.

It was a healthy spattering of Samoa supporters at Eden Park, with their home ground in Apia undergoing renovations.

Striking after just five minutes, Scotland powered out to a 22-0 lead at halftime with tries to Rory Hutchinson, Kyle Steyn, Arron Reed and Ewan Ashman.

Samoa managed two late consolation tries, but it was all too little too late as Scotland closed out a dominant performance with another copybook rolling maul in the 78th to drive in the final nail.

The result sees Scotland head home with two wins after defeating the Maori All Blacks and a defeat to Fiji.

For Samoa, it was their first hitout since September 2024, and they were also missing a number of frontline players due to NPC commitments.

-RNZ

EDINBURGH FALLS SHORT IN SOUTH AFRICA AS BULLS PROGRESS TO URC SEMI-FINAL

The Bulls stepped it up early in the second half

Canan Moodie of the Vodacom Bulls. Pic: Steve Haag Sports/Christiaan Kotze/Inpho

The Bulls claimed a 42-33 victory over Edinburgh in an exhilarating United Rugby Championship quarter-final at Loftus Versfeld.

Wes Goosen opened the scoring after five minutes before Ross Thompson's double came either side of Cameron Hanekom's try for the South Africans.

Tries from David Kriel in the 32nd minute and Harold Vorster four minutes later ensured the Bulls went into the break only 21-18 behind.

The Bulls stepped it up early in the second half as Canan Moodie showed a great turn of pace to crash over as Edinburgh's defence had lost control.

Keaqgan Johannes and Ruan Nortje went over to make it 39-21 and although Edinburgh responded with efforts from Ewan Ashman and Goosen, the game was up.

- PA