Both teams scored a solitary try in the first half of this afternoon's Rugby World Cup Pool B encounter in Brighton, but it is Samoa who lead USA 14-8 at the interval.
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The US enjoyed some early territory in the Samoan half, but they gave away penalties to allow Le Manu to clear the danger.
Samoa fly-half Tusi Pisi broke the early stalemate with a successful penalty eight minutes in but then failed with his next kick to leave the score 3-0 after a quarter of an hour.
The first try arrived in the 20th minute when Samoa pushed USA back towards their try line and broke through thanks to Pisi's low kick, which World Cup debutant Tim Nanai-Williams grounded for five points.
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Pisi, who needs 29 points this World Cup to become Le Manu's all-time top scorer, again missed his kick for the extra two points, but he was on target soon after with a penalty to put Samoa 11 ahead.
AJ MacGinty kicked USA's first points of the contest after half an hour and moments later the Eagles were celebrating their first try of the tournament when MacGinty broke the Samoan line to charge up the pitch before winger and captain Chris Wyles went over.
MacGinty skewed the conversion to leave the States three behind and they went in six down after another Pisi penalty at the other end.
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Follow live text coverage of the second half on Sports Mole here.
Pascal Lemesre
