Rugby

WESTERN Samoa, preparing to face Australia in a one-off Test match, staged a second-half rally to snatch their fourth successive tour win with a 21-18 victory over a New South Wales XV in Newcastle yesterday.

The touring side, who will defend their unbeaten tour record against the Wallabies on Saturday, trailed 18-7 at half-time.

But centre To'o Vaega scored a try and fly-half Darren Kellett landed three penalties to overhaul the home side. Earlier, NSW had wasted numerous chances to put the game beyond the Samoans' reach. Captain and fly-half Tim Wallace was the worst culprit, landing only one of his nine kicks at goal.