BREAKING : Scotland defeats Samoa in the final of the Pacific Rugby Tour.

Scotland closed out their Pacific tour emphatically with a 41–12 victory over Samoa at Eden Park, Auckland, on July 18, 2025.

Match Highlights & Standout Performances
Dominant first half: Scotland raced to a 22–0 lead by halftime with tries from Ewan Ashman, Rory Hutchinson, Arron Reed, and Kyle Steyn – all orchestrated by scrummage ace Jamie Dobie.

Forward power continued: The pack maintained intensity early in the second half, with Grant Gilchrist adding Scotland’s fifth try shortly after play resumed.

Samoa’s fightback: Lock Benjamin Petaia Nee‑Nee broke through in the 51st minute, and Duncan Paia’aua delivered a strong effort in the 63rd minute – Samoa’s only two tries.

Finishing touches: Kyle Rowe raced over in the 55th minute and hooker George Turner sealed the victory with a maul try in the 75th.

Key Takeaways
Factor Scotland Samoa
Tries 7 2
Momentum Unwavering pack, excellent set-piece execution Turnovers and defensive lapses
Squad depth Proved strong even without Lions squad members Plagued by disjointed backline play and ball loss

Despite missing nine players selected for the British & Irish Lions tour, Scotland showed impressive depth and cohesion, especially in the forwards. Their rolling mauls and physical dominance were relentless throughout.

For Samoa—contending with stadium renovations at home and fielding six debutants—the match exposed vulnerabilities in defense and ball retention.
Scotland wraps up a successful Pacific journey (won 2 of 3 Tests) and returns home.

Samoa looks ahead: their next Test is against Fiji, coming up within the next week.

Scotland’s tour finale showcased a comprehensive forward-driven performance, reinforcing their resilience and readiness for the upcoming tests. Samoa, meanwhile, faces the challenge of regrouping and refining ahead of their match with Fiji.