Thompson red card a worry for Samoa in Barbarians defeat

Kane Thompson has put his availability for Samoa's opening World Cup match against the United States in Brighton next month in jeopardy after he was sent off in the Pacific Islanders 27-24 warm-up defeat by the Barbarians at London's Olympic Stadium on Saturday.

Samoa had to play most of the match a man down after lock forward Thompson was shown a red card for punching Australia hooker Saia Fainga'a in the 16th minute.  

The Barbarians scored tries through Adam Thomson (two), Liam Gill, and Ben Tapuai (two) with Samoa responding through Anthony Perenise, Ken Pisi and Jack Lam.

Former All Blacks flanker Thomson powered over for an early try as the Barbarians, rugby union's most celebrated invitational side, made a strong start although Christian Leali'ifano -- left out of the Wallabies' World Cup squad -- missed the conversion.

But Samoa were soon back on level terms with prop forward Perenise, who plays club rugby for English side Bristol, going over for a try converted by Tusi Pisi.

Thompson then saw red for his punch on Fainga'a, with the Wallaby front-rower being shown a yellow card for his part in the incident
Tusi Pisi's penalty extended Samoa's lead to five points before Queensland flanker Gill capped a driving maul with a well-worked try to bring the Barbarians back into the match.

An embarrassing break in the match followed when water sprinklers at the ground came on for no apparent reason, drenching several Samoa players.

This was the Olympic Stadium's debut as a rugby ground and officials will be desperate to avoid a repeat performance during the World Cup, with five matches due to be held at the venue after the showpiece tournament starts next month.   

When play resumed, the Barbarians scored their third try in the 29th minute when centre Tapuai went over after a break from scrum-half and fellow Wallaby Luke Burgess.

But Samoa tried the game up at 17-17 when wing Ken Pisi was first to Northampton team-mate Kahn Fotuali'i's grubber kick for a try in the corner again converted by Tusi Pisi.

Soon after the break, Thomson went over from a ruck to score his second try before the impressive Lam again levelled the scores with a try under the posts following his own quicky-taken tap penalty.

Tapuai then grabbed his second try of a see-saw match in the 63rd minute, with the 14-strong Samoans unable to fashion a winning score.
Source: AFP