O'Gara scores 32 points in Irish win over Samoa

Samoa 14 Ireland 40

Samoa 14 Ireland 40

Ronan O'Gara collected 32 points as Ireland finished their brief tour of the southern hemisphere today with a comfortable 40-14 win over Samoa.

O'Gara scored two tries and kicked five penalties, two conversions and a drop goal as the Irish followed up last week's win over Tonga with another big victory.

Number eight Eric Miller also crossed for a try while substitute Paul Burke booted a late penalty when O'Gara was given an early shower.

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Ron Fanuatanuk and Earl Va'a scored for Samoa with Va'a converting both tries.

Ireland, who fielded an experimental team for their matches against Tonga and Samoa following their loss to Australia in their first tour match, did not seize control of the match until the second half.

They led 9-7 at the break after Munster flyhalf O'Gara booted three penalties to cancel out Fanuatanu's try in the left-hand corner.

Ireland stretched their lead after the re-start when O'Gara landed his fourth penalty then fooled the Samoan defence to score under the posts in the 50th minute.

He booted his fifth penalty shortly before Miller, who almost missed the match after he was stamped on in last week's win over Tonga, charged down an attempted clearance from Brian Lima to put the result beyond doubt.

O'Gara scored a second try 15 minutes from the end then completed a full-house when he slotted a drop goal before being replaced.

Va'a gave their home supporters something to cheer when he crossed for a late try but the score was to late to change the result.