Samoans create World Cup history in Cardiff
Wales were beaten by Western Samoa, 16-13, in the first Rugby World Cup game played at the now Principality Stadium on Sunday, 6 October, 1991. It remains one of the biggest upsets in the history of the tournament and was the first time a Tier 2 nation had triumphed over a Tier 1 side. Samoa’s To’o Vaega was awarded a controversial try at the start of the second-half when TV evidence suggested that Wales’ Robert Jones had won the race to the ball. There was no doubting Sial Vaifale’s fine try, however, that helped carry the minnows to a famous victory. “Thank goodness we weren’t playing all of Samoa!” quipped many Welsh fans. When they did, at the 1999 World Cup back in Cardiff, lightning struck twice as the Islanders scored another notable upset, winning 38-31.
