New Zealand vs Samoa match report: Shaun Kenny-Dowall rescues Kiwis to keep Four Nations hopes intact
New Zealand 14 Samoa 12: 2008 world champions scrape past Samoa with try five minutes from time as Samoans suffer second narrow defeat in as many weeks
Shaun Kenny-Dowall came to New Zealand's rescue with a late try as the 2008 world champions scraped past Four Nations outsiders Samoa 14-12.
The Samoans fell just short against England last weekend and they showed that was no one-off with another strong showing in Whangarei.
Tautau Moga's interception try gave Samoa an early lead and the Pacific Islanders went into half-time 8-6 to the good after Daniel Vidot cancelled out Kieran Foran's converted effort.
Joey Leilua swatted Kenny-Dowall aside to touch down and stretch Samoa's advantage just after the break but the New Zealand winger had the last word.
Jason Nightingale's try set up a grandstand finish and Kenny-Dowall went over five minutes from time to deny Samoa a famous victory.
PA
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