Samoa draw with Scotland to reach RLWC quarters
Samoa have advanced to the Rugby League World Cup quarter-finals despite failing to win a game after a 14-14 draw with Scotland in Cairns.
The Samoans were forced to come from behind on Saturday against the lightly rated Scots with two second-half tries securing a draw and third spot in group B.
The most incredible moment came when Matthew Wright touched down in the corner -- miraculously avoiding the line.
Scotland missed one 40-metre penalty goal and two field goals in their bid to pull out a win that would have seen them jump Samoa on the table.
Both sides finished with one point, however Samoa advanced because of their far-superior points differential.
The Scots ultimately paid the price after conceding 124 points in their first two group matches against New Zealand and Tonga.
They also had to contend with the distraction of three players - skipper Danny Brough, Johnny Walker and Sam Brooks - being sent home during the week for being too drunk to board a flight from New Zealand.
The Samoans were on the back foot from the outset after Young Tonumaipea butchered an attempt to field a Danny Addy chip and Lewis Tierney pounced.
And when Tim Lafai suffered a brain snap 10m out and passed the ball into the hands of Frank Mariano, he gleefully accepted a gift four points. The underdogs led 14-6 at the break.
However, the Scots wilted in the second half and Samoa did enough to snatch a draw.
Samoa were back in the contest when they were the first to cross eight minutes after the resumption when Matthew Wright made the most of room made by Joey Leilua.
Scotland were temporarily reduced to just 15 men when back-rower Dale Ferguson was taken from the field for a HIA and Samoa evened the scores when Tonumaipea crossed.
Addy - a standout for the Scots filling in for Brough at No.6 - had a chance to ice the game, however missed an attempted penalty goal with eight minutes to go.
His halves partner Oscar Thomas also botched a field goal soon after as Samoa did enough to advance to their second successive quarter-finals.
with AAP