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Player ratings: History makers

Samoa made history in Durban on Saturday when they beat Scotland 27-17 in Durban in the opening game of the Incoming Series.

Two Alesana Tuilagi tries was the difference between the two sides when an impressive Samoan outfit outmuscled the Scottish forwards and used their opportunities to win the game.

Nick Tatham rates the Samoan players!

15 James So'oialo:

Solid at the back and joined the line well when needed and scored a good try early on. Good display with the boot, especially at goal to keep Samoa in the game.

7/10

14 Alapati Leiua:

Had some great runs beating defenders at will. Set up Soialo's try early on. Made some silly errors with a boot in an otherwise flawless performance.

8/10

13 Paul Williams (captain):

The captain had a quiet day in the midfield and didn't get many opportunities with ball in hand. Had a sound game on defence.

6/10

12 Jonny Leota:

The powerful Sale Sharks man was solid as per usual. Made some strong carries and quite a few tackles in the second half before being replace for the veteran Mapusua in the 73rd minute.

6/10

11 Alesana Tuilagi:

Pace, power and strength! 117kg in full flight has never looked better. Two tries and some brutal carries. A well-deserved Man of the Match

8/10

10 Tusiata Pisi:

A horrible clearance at the death nearly ruined his day, but other than that controlled the game very well. Came very close to dotting down over the line but was held up.

7/10

9 Jeremy Sua:

Gave some crisp service with the good ball given to him from his hard-working forwards. Did all that was required of him without being spectacular.

6/10

8 Taiasina Tuifua:

Had a solid game at the back of a strong back of forwards and ran hard with the ball. A number of strong carries gave the side the front foot ball that lead to the win.

6/10

7 Jack Lam:

Had a massive debut and carried the ball well a number of times. Won a good turnover and made a great impact on defence.

7/10

6 Ofisa Treviranus:

Solid game from the flank as he did the basics well and made a positive impact on the play.

5/10

5 Daniel Leo:

Good in the line-out and solid in the scrum. Got around the park and made an impact at the breakdown which assisted in the backline being the difference.

6/10

4 Teofilo Paulo:

Kept the engine room going and it helped the side get on the front foot. Was strong on the ball and hit the rucks hard.

6/10

3 Census Johnston:

Carried the ball really well and worked really hard in the tight loose. Scrum-time was where Johnson came into his own after he gave away an early penalty.

6/10

2 Wayne Ole Avei:

Was strong at the line-out which gave the Samoans the edge over the Scots. Was a little suspect on defence but managed to make up for it when he ran hard and hit a lot of rucks.

6/10

1 Logovii Mulipola:

Did the job at the scrum and worked hard as all props are supposed to. Really fronted up against Euan Murray – a very highly rated prop.

6/10

Replacements:

16 Maatulimanu Leiataua (on for Avei, 54):

Came on and kept the momentum going after the Samoans got the upperhand.

5/10

17 Sakaria Taulafo (on for Mulipola, 77):

Not enough time to be rated.

18 James Johnston (on for C Johnston, 54):

The big man made a big difference when he came on to the park. Managed to get the huge frame around the pitch and made a solid impact at the scrum.

6/10

19 Faatiga Lemalu (on for Leo, 54):

Added to the stability in the Samoan pack when he came on and did not look out of place at all when taking the Scots on in the loose.

6/10

20 Junior Poluleuligaga:

Not used.

21 Brando Vaaulu (on for Leiua, 79):

Not enough time to be rated.

22 Seilala Mapusua (on for Leota, 73):

Not enough time to be rated.

23 Alafoti Faosiliva:

Not used.

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