Wales 19 Samoa 26Shambolic Wales slumped to a demoralising defeat at the Millennium Stadium last night just eight days before tackling world champions New Zealand.

Humiliation awaits against the All Blacks unless Wales – World Cup semi-finalists only 13 months ago – can summon up a monumental recovery following successive home losses against Argentina and Samoa.

The Six Nations title holders saw Samoa score tries through fullback Fa’atoina Autagavaia, centre George Pisi and substitute Jonny Leota, while Pisi’s brother Tisi kicked 11 points in a game when the lead changed hands six times.

Leigh Halfpenny booted four penalties and a conversion of centre Ashley Beck’s 80-metre interception try, but Wales have now suffered five successive defeats and appear clueless in so many different areas.

Their demise is alarming, and although head coach Warren Gatland will return to mastermind next week’s preparations after being away on British and Irish Lions preparatory business, Wales seemingly have little hope of troubling either New Zealand or Australia seven days later.

Herculean task

They also suffered two more injuries – hooker Richard Hibbard and outhalf Dan Biggar the victims – and Gatland faces a Herculean task attempting to turn things around.

Samoa, though, spectacularly avenged their narrow World Cup pool defeat to Wales last autumn, proving good value on a night when their opponents once again delivered a mistake-riddled performance.

Wales fielded just five survivors from the countries’ last meeting 14 months ago, including only two forwards. But the South Sea Islanders, who included 11 players with British and French teams, knew they had sufficient quality to make life tough for opponents possibly short on confidence.

A closed roof ensured perfect playing conditions, with the pitch protected from persistent drizzle in the Welsh capital, but Wales were engulfed by an immediate Samoan onslaught.

Newcastle number eight Taiasina Tuifu’a raced clear on halfway after catching the Welsh defence napping, and then it was a case of a simple passing movement that ended with Autagavaia touching down. It had taken Samoa just 64 seconds to unlock Wales, and Pisi’s conversion made it 7-0 before the visitors quickly regained an attacking foothold.

Wales had expected a ferocious opening quarter from their opponents, and so it proved, with Halfpenny’s first successful penalty coming as welcome relief before Hibbard was forced off injured to be replaced by Ken Owens.

Hibbard quickly had his left arm put in a sling, suggesting another major injury blow for Wales.

Halfpenny’s second penalty cut the deficit to a point, but Wales’ tactical kicking remained at a woeful standard and Samoa were more than able to hold their own in terms of the territorial exchanges.

But Wales claimed an opportunist try nine minutes before half-time when Tusi Pisi’s intended pass to his brother George was intercepted by Beck, who sprinted 80 metres to claim his first Test try.

Uncomfortable night

Halfpenny added the conversion, nudging Wales 13-7 ahead, and although it was still an uncomfortable night for them, they could at least start to breathe a little more easily.

They had another injury to worry about two minutes before the break, though, when a bloodied and dazed Biggar departed following a head-first challenge in a ruck by Samoa lock Teofilo Paulo.

There was no attempt by Paulo to use his arms in clearing out Biggar, who suffered a shoulder injury. Rhys Priestland took over from Biggar, and there was still time for Pisi to land a penalty that made it 13-10 at half-time.

Wales knew they had to start bossing a contest after an opening 40 minutes when Samoa more than held their own.

The visitors, though, had other ideas, and they regained the lead after 47 minutes when Beck lost possession outside his own 22, Kahn Fotuali’i broke clear and Pisi finished spectacularly.

Another Halfpenny penalty made it 16-15 to Wales, only for Tusi Pisi to cancel it out with a kick that restored Samoa’s advantage and ensure a nervous final quarter for the vast majority among a 44,000 crowd.

Halfpenny then put Wales 19-18 ahead after Samoa flanker Maurie Fa’asavalu high-tackled Owens, but Pisi completed his penalty hat-trick when substitute prop Gethin Jenkins infringed.

It was frantic, patternless rugby from both teams, but Leota’s 78th-minute effort when Halfpenny slipped in defence sealed the deal and left Wales’ autumn campaign in tatters.