Wales 31 Samoa 38

Samoa pulled off the biggest upset in the 1999 World Cup when they sent host nation Wales spiralling to a 38-31 defeat in a dramatic Group D match here on Thursday.

In a carbon-copy of their stunning 16-13 defeat to the Pacific islanders in the 1991 finals, Wales were punished for sloppy defending as the Samoans ran in five tries to silence the 72,000 capacity home crowd.

Graham Henry's side laid siege to the Samoan line in the dying minutes but heroic defence kept them at bay, sparking scenes of wild celebrations amongst the Samoans at the final whistle.

The defeat overshadowed the achievement of Wales fly-half Neil Jenkins who wrote himself into the record books by becoming the greatest points scorer in the history of international rugby.  "We are very disappointed," said Wales coach Graham Henry.  "We made far too many mistakes but I think massive credit and respect should be given to the Samoans.  They played superbly -- often with limited possession.  "It's not the end of the world and we will learn from the experience.  We just have to take it on the chin."

Samoan captain Pat Lam, whose side had performed so poorly in Sunday's 32-16 defeat by Argentina, said memories of 1991 had fired his side.  "This is a very special day," said the giant number eight who plays with English club Northampton.  "You guys had all written us off and people gave us no respect, but we played with a lot of pride, a hell of alot of pride.  "The mood in the build-up to the match reminded us of 1991 and all the good luck faxes we received from back home really inspired us." The result means that the two teams will have to wait until the end of Argentina's match against Japan here on Saturday before the places for the quarter-finals and the quarter-final play-offs will be known.

Wales should still go straight to the quarter-finals -- probably against Australia back at the Millennium Stadium -- provided Argentina, who are expected to beat Japan do not score more than 70 points.

A day of Welsh celebrations seemed to lie ahead when Jenkins, level with Australia's Michael Lynagh on 911 points before the match, posted a simple conversion after Wales were awarded a penalty try early on to write himself into the record books.

The 72,000-capacity crowd in the Millennium Stadium exploded in delight and stood to hail the 28-year-old British Lion from the Welsh valleys.  But the celebrations were short-lived as the Welsh crowd realised that their team had a major battle on their hands against the crash-tackling Pacific Islanders.

It was a cruel irony that the normally metronomic Jenkins missed three penalties and a conversion that would have given Wales victory.  On a day of mixed fortunes for the man they call the "Ginger Monster", it was also his mistake early in the second period which led directly to Samoa's fourth try and restored their lead to seven points.

Wales trailed the Samoans 24-21 at half-time following two breakaway tries by fly-half Stephen Bachop in the dying minutes and an earlier close range effort from lock Lio Falaniko -- all converted by full-back Silao Leaega.  But after levelling the scores with a penalty three minutes after the turnaround, Jenkins gifted the Samoans another try as the Welsh surrendered the lead again.

His lazy pass was intercepted by Pat Lam who ran virtually the entire length of the field to score.  Leaega converted to restore Samoa's seven point lead.  Wales, though, were awarded a second penalty try after the Samoans collapsed the scrum a metre out as the Welsh drove forward.

Jenkins converted to make it 31-31 but two minutes later the Samoans went seven points clear again when Leaega muscled over in the right corner after good work by Brian Lima.  Leaga converted himself to seal another historic win.

The Teams:

Wales:  1 Peter Rogers, 2 Garin Jenkins, 3 Dai Young, 4 Gareth Llewellyn, 5 Chris Wyatt, 6 Brett Sinkinson, 7 Martyn Williams, 8 Scott Quinnell, 9 Rob Howley (c), 10 Neil Jenkins, 11 Dafydd James, 12 Scott Gibbs, 13 Mark Taylor, 14 Gareth Thomas, 15 Shane Howarth
Reserves:  Ben Evans, Andrew Lewis
Unused:  Jason Jones-Hughes, David Llewellyn, Geraint Lewis, Stephen Jones, Mike Voyle

Samoa:  1 Robbie Ale, 2 Trevor Leota, 3 Brendan Reidy, 4 Lio Falaniko, 5 Lama Tone, 6 Craig Glendinning, 7 Junior Paramore, 8 Pat Lam (c), 9 Stephen So'oilao, 10 Stephen Bachop, 11 Brian Lima, 12 George Leaupepe, 13 To'o Vaega, 14 Inga Tuigamala, 15 Silao Leaega
Reserves:  Terry Fanolua, Earl Va'a, Onehunga Matauiau Esau, Mike Mika, Semo Sititi, Sene Ta'ala
Unused:  John Clarke

Attendance:  72000
Referee:  Morrison e

Points Scorers:

Wales
Tries:  Penalty Try 2, Thomas G. 1
Conv:  Jenkins N.R. 2
Pen K.:  Jenkins N.R. 4

Samoa
Tries:  Bachop S.J. 2, Falaniko F.L. 1, Lam P.R. 1, Leaega S. 1
Conv:  Leaega S. 5
Pen K.:  Leaega S. 1