Twenty thousand Chilean followers welcomed each Chile and Samoa to Viña del Mar’s Estadio Sausalito, the place the hosts claimed a spectacular 31-12 victory to e book their tickets for Australia 2027.
After a 32-point draw within the first leg, Samoa had the prospect to edge forward 5 minutes in, however Martini Talapusi’s kick drifted proper. Moments later it was Chile’s flip to go for purpose, with Santiago Videla heading in the right direction from 40 metres.
With out Michael Alaalatoa and Christian Leali’ifano, Samoa nonetheless ran sturdy attacking traces and got here near the Cóndores’ attempt line, just for the house defence to carry agency.
Spurred on by the large help from the stands, Chile raised the tempo and camped inside Samoa’s half, patiently working by the phases. Unwell-discipline from the guests noticed Luke Pearce ship Abraham Papali’i to the sin bin, handing Videla a simple three factors.
In opposition to 14 males, Pablo Lemoine’s aspect stored up the stress, stringing collectively a number of sharp transitions that led to their first attempt. From a excessive kick, Diego Escobar gathered and offloaded completely to Benjamín Videla, the scrum-half sprinting clear to attain. Santiago Videla added the extras.
On the half-hour mark, the Cóndores struck once more, fullback Iñaki Ayarza ending their second attempt. Videla missed the conversion for the one time on the night time.
Samoa regarded in need of solutions however lastly discovered factors earlier than the break, former Blues and Crusaders again Melani Nanai crossing within the nook.
Chile had been forty minutes from a second World Cup, however nonetheless cautious of a repeat of the primary leg when Samoa fought again into the tie.
The second half noticed each side lose composure, with errors piling up till the 62nd minute, when the Samoa pack lastly drove over and Jonah Mau’u touched down in the back of a maul.
Any hopes of a comeback had been killed off by additional ill-discipline. Videla slotted two extra penalties to revive Chile’s 12-point cushion.
With time virtually gone, a fierce counter-ruck gave Chile their third and closing attempt, wing Nicolás Saab sealing the end result. Videla landed his sixth kick from the tee to substantiate a 31-12 victory and Chile’s qualification for a second consecutive Rugby World Cup after 2023.
Samoa, denied a tenth match look, could have one other likelihood through the World Rugby Repechage in November.
