Rugby World Cup 2011: Wales v Samoa as it happened

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By Aimee Lewis

0628: That's it from us for now, thanks for your contributions. Join us in a bit for coverage of England v Georgia.

From M, via text: "Let's not look at the performance too much. A win is a win. Move onto the next game. "

0620: WALES CAPTAIN SAM WARBURTON "We knew it was going to be a tough battle. Samoa are immensely physical. We just wanted to keep the ball in play was much as we could and back our fitness levels at the end of the match. Leigh came on and added great momentum and Shane finished it off. If our backs get a sniff then they're pretty handy. There was a lot of pressure on the boys and I'd just like to dedicate the win for the families of the miners back home, our thoughts are with them.

0620: FULL TIME Wales 17-10 Samoa That was edge-of-your-seat stuff, if you're a Wales fan. Gatland's men didn't play as well as they did against South Africa but they secured the all-important win. Samoa looked the more dangerous but defence won the day, I guess.

80 min:

FULL TIME Wales 17-10 Samoa
One final chance for Samoa. They inch their way into opposition territory, but Andy Powell steals the ball with a fine tackle and the ball is kicked out of play. That's it. What a battle.

79 min: Wales 17-10 Samoa
Shane Edwards will be pleased with Wales' defence in this second half as they continue to repel Samoa. They're rewarded for their hard work as Samoa are penalised at the breakdown and it's a chance for Priestland to find touch to ease the pressure.

76 min: Wales 17-10 Samoa
Adam Jones looks dumbfounded as Wales are penalised at the line-out for obstruction, giving Samoa the chance to clear for a line-out in Wales' half. Wales under intense pressure as the Samoans go through the phases. Another penalty for the Samoans and they opt to kick for touch for a line-out just 5m from the Welsh tryline. Wales impervious in defence, though, as they repel wave after wave of Samoan attackers. Was it a mistake not to kick that penalty?

67 min:

Wales 17-10 Samoa
There you go, Wales fans, all is well. Halfpenny brushes aside a would-be tackler and supporting on his shoulder is Jonathan Davies, then the diminutive Shane Williams finishes off a fine counter-attacking move with what is already being dubbed as the most important try of his career. Priestland misses the conversion attempt, though. Could that be crucial.

65 min: TRY WALES (SHANE WILLIAMS)

60 min: PENALTY Wales 12-10 Samoa
Jamie Roberts sets off on a rampaging run, which takes Wales into Samoa territory. The pressure pays dividends as Samoa concede a penalty within kickable distance. Up steps Priestland. He gathers his thoughts. Takes aim. And it's over! Wales nudge ahead in this intriguing battle.

60 min: Wales 9-10 Samoa
Samoa attack but are running into the brick wall that is the Wales defence, but how long can Wales hold firm under this pressure? Wales secure quick line-out ball, which seems to have been a rare occurrence in this match, and Priestland gets his backline moving. Yet again, though, Samoa steal the ball at the breakdown. This isn't looking good for Wales, but saying that they are only a point adrift.

57 min: Wales 9-10 Samoa
Don't forget to manually refresh, folks. Excellent chasing from Samoa as George North is forcibly ejected into touch. However, Samoa take too long at the line-out and it's scrum Wales. Errors, errors, errors, though, as Adam Jones is penalised at the scrum and Lavea has the chance to restore some calm with a kick to touch.

54 min: Wales 9-10 Samoa
Oops. Priestland kicks the ball out on the full. Gatland won't be happy with that, I'm sure. Wales don't need to give Samoa a helping hand as they look dangerous enough in opposition territory as it is. The Samoan forwards wallop the men in red out of the way, but Samoa's flanker loses the ball in contact and Priestland kicks downfield. Jonathan Davies chases... kicks ahead... but the ball then rolls out of play. That was quite exciting.

49 min: MISSED PENALTY Wales 9-10 Samoa
Priestland gives the ball an almighty boot but Wales's chasing for that up-and-under is poor, which gives full-back Williams plenty of time to calmly gather. Quick line-out ball for Samoa sets them on their way and they patiently recycle until Wales turnover. Shane Williams attempts to set off on a trademark jink but loses possession and his namesake Paul Williams has another attempt at goal. The full-back is off target, though, with what was quite a tricky attempt.

43 min: PENALTY Wales 9-10 Samoa
With Hook off the field, Priestland gets the opportunity to take aim at the posts and, wait for it... the ball bounces over from the crossbar. Perfectly judged or a touch of luck? Wales drag themselves back to within a point. The auto refresh still isn't working, I'm afraid, so if you could continue to hit F5. Just view it as part of your early-morning exercise routine, it'll mean you don't have to go for a run after this match. Possibly.

41 min: Wales 6-10 Samoa
What will Wales's response be? Priestland gets the second half underway. One change at half-time is that Leigh Halfpenny replaces James Hook at full-back for what we must assume is an injury?

Jim Paterson on Twitter: "5am, rugby and last nights prawn crackers lovely. "

From Jonathan in London, via text: "My strategy of drinking wine, dozing off on the couch at 6pm and waking up in time for the Wales match was unintentional, but has worked a treat. "

From anon, via text: "As a home country I should probably be supporting Wales, but surely it can't be denied that one of life's great pleasures is watching gigantic Samoans absolutely flattening anyone who tries to carry the ball through their defence? Come On Samoa!! "

40 min:

Wales 6-10 Samoa
Samoa deserved that score. They spin the ball wide, North comes out of the defensive line to attempt the interception, but the winger fails to grab the ball, leaving Bath-bound prop Perenise free to barge past a couple of desperate Wales defenders. It was three against one there so North had little option but to go for the risky interception. Williams adds the extras in what was the final action of the half.

40 min: TRY SAMOA (PERENISE)

37 min: Wales 6-3 Samoa
Wales need to be on their guard here as the Samoans look dangerous with ball in hand and that is maybe why they opt for the line-out when awarded a penalty. Scrum-half Kahn Potualii'i dashes for the line but is held up... Samoa go through the phases, but Wales' defence is impervious at the moment.

37 min: Wales 6-3 Samoa
Gethin Jenkins comes on for Wales and that's a heart-warming sight for Wales fans. The Blues prop has been missed this year. Shane Williams sets off from his own half, shows the ball, gives it to Jamie Roberts but, once again, Wales lose possession. It doesn't prove too costly, however, as Samoa infringe and Priestland impressively finds touch. But then Wales lose their own line-out. Sloppy.

32 min: MISSED PENALTY Wales 6-3 Samo:
A silly error from Wales gives Paul Williams the chance to take aim at the posts, but it is just beyond the full-back's range and another let-off for the Welsh.

30 min: Wales 6-3 Samoa
Samoa are riled and after patiently going through the phases they are in the shadow of the Welsh posts. Wales are scrambling on their line... Samoa they think they've scored... but referee Alain Rolland deems there was a double movement so Wales have a chance to clear the decks. Mike Phillips just doing enough with a last-ditch tackle.

26 min: PENALTY Wales 6-3 Samoa
A fantastic scrum for Wales, with the big-haired Adam Jones putting his opposite number under pressure and James Hook has another chance to edge his team ahead. He eyes the posts, takes a deep breath and the kick bobbles over. That was close, but they all count, as they say.

24 min: Wales 3-3 Samoa
Wales move upfield and a bulldozing run from Adam Jones takes Wales into the Samoan 22. Priestland steps back and attempts a drop-goal but, just as it did against South Africa, his effort balloons wide. A bit closer than last Sunday's attempt was that.

22 min: PENALTY Wales 3-3 Samoa
Samoa are determined to keep the ball alive as much as possible and they earn their first kick at goal after some bone-crunching tackling forces Wales to concede a penalty. Full-back Paul Williams's kick sails through the posts and the Samoans deservedly level.

17 min: Wales 3-0 Samoa
Samoa steal the ball at the breakdown, but Samoa's outside-centre George Pisi loses the ball in contact just as he was about to pass to the towering Tuilagi. It's a put-in at the scrum for Wales and Samoa are penalised for collapsing, giving Priestland the chance to kick a howitzer of a touch-finder.

14 min: Wales 3-0 Samoa
A jink from Shane Williams sets the Wales backs on their way and Jamie Roberts charges through Anthony Perenise. Promising for the Welsh but they are unable to maintain the pressure. Lydiate is sitting on the bench with an ice pack around his ankle, doesn't look good.

12 min: PENALTY Wales 3-0 Samoa
James Hook calms Welsh nerves by booting a penalty between the posts. Welsh flags are waved in delight. Nice.

10 min: Wales 0-0 Samoa
I'm afraid we're having problems with the auto refresh (early-morning gremlins) so if you could manually refresh, that would be grand. Meanwhile, Dan Lydiate has been forced off the field and is replaced by Andy Powell. That's a blow for the Welsh as the Dragon was impressive against South Africa.

8 min: Wales 0-0 Samoa
A powerful charge from the Samoa No8 George Stowers has the Wales defence in a slight panic, but they get the ball and kick downfield. Wales are making a few silly errors in the opening minutes, with Luke Charteris losing line-out ball.

5 min: Wales 0-0 Samoa
Huw Bennett is penalised for not releasing in the tackle, giving Samoa the chance to get their hands on the ball for the first time in the match. A fine touch finder and quick line-out ball gets the powerful Samoan backs into action and were it not for some sloppy handling they would have been in at the corner. An early warning for Wales.

2 min: MISSED PENALTY Wales 0-0 Samoa
James Hook prepares to take the kick... and he is just wide.

1 min: Wales 0-0 Samoa
Samoa kick off and it goes straight into touch, not a great start for Lavea. A bit of rustiness perhaps as he wasn't meant to start. Scrum for Wales in the middle of the field. How will they fare? Solid, and the men in red are awarded a penalty after an impressive shove from the Wales pack.

0428: Plenty of passionate singing from the Welsh fans for the anthem and we're about ready to start. The Wales players are wearing black armbands in memory of the four miners killed in a colliery accident near Pontardawe earlier this week.

0425: Captain Warburton has just led his team out into the heart of a jam-packed Waikato Stadium, which seems full of red-shirted fans. The Samoan team too, and I can see 121kg Leicester wing Alesana Tuilagi, who earlier this week admitted it was difficult to maintain his playing weight because "we love loads of meat".

Jonathan Davies on Twitter: "My all nighter is going well to watch the mighty Wales eyes starting to burn "

0423: So, who is just returning from their Saturday night out and who has just woken up after setting the alarm at this hour? Can the Samoans upset the Welsh at a World Cup once again? To get involved you can either text (81111) or tweet (#BBCRWC). I know it's early, but you can do it.

0421: Here are the teams:
Wales: Hook, North, J. Davies, Roberts, S. Williams, Priestland, Phillips, James, Bennett, A. Jones, Charteris, A. Jones, Lydiate, Warburton, Faletau. Replacements: Burns, Jenkins, B. Davies, Powell, Knoyle, S. Williams, Halfpenny.
Samoa: Williams, Tagicakibau, G. Pisi, Mapusua, Tuilagi, T Lavea, Fotuali'i, Taulafo, Schwalger, Perenise, Leo, Thompson, Treviranus, Fa'asavalu, Stowers. Replacements: Ti'i Paulo, Census Johnston, Joe Tekori, Manaia Salavea, Jeremy Sua, Eliota Sapolu Fuimaono, James S'ooialo

0419: The New Zealander names an unchanged team after Sam Warburton and his men pushed defending champions South Africa to the brink of defeat last Sunday, while outside-half Tusi Pisi is a late withdrawal for Samoa because of a hamstring injury. He is replaced by Tasesa Lavea and in the only other change from the team which beat Namibia, Ofisa Trevaranius replaces the injured Tasina Tuifua.

0417: Warren Gatland, returning to his homeland, has admitted there will be no second chances for the Welsh after this game as the men in red realistically need to beat the south sea islanders if they are to progress beyond Pool D. "We've got to make sure we get better this week - kick your drop-goals and kick your penalty," said Gatland. "That's how close the games are these days. That's how tight things are."

0415: The Welsh, I'm sure, don't need reminding that Samoa have beaten them in their two previous World Cup encounters, in 1991 and 1999, with the first victory causing a shock of seismic proportions across the Severn Bridge. Whether this is an omen or not, I don't know, but I was at both those games. This morning I am in Salford. (Is that the sound of Welsh fans rejoicing, I hear?)

0413: So, here we are then bedraggled and bleary-eyed but primed for a game which, from a Welsh perspective, is traditionally as slippery as a banana in the middle of an ice rink on rain-soaked day. What I'm trying to say is that when it comes to World Cups, Samoa know how to get the better of the men from the Principality.

0400: Good morning, what are you doing up at this unwelcome hour? You're here for the rugby too? Excellent. You are there, aren't you?