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Samoa stuns Australia in Sydney

Updated 15 minutes ago

Samoa dealt Australia a reality check eight weeks out from the Rugby World Cup with a stunning 32-23 upset victory over the Wallabies in Sydney.

Samoa out-scored Australia three tries to two to post their first-ever win over the Wallabies in front of almost 30,000 shellshocked fans at ANZ Stadium.

Thompsen Kane from Samoa runs in a try.

PHOTO: AFP

The embarrassing defeat – which reversed Australia’s 74-7 trouncing of Samoa in their last meeting with the Pacific Islanders at the same venue six years ago – is a major setback six days before the Wallabies launch their Tri Nations campaign against world champions South Africa.

Despite resting several stars on Sunday, including playmaker Quade Cooper and flanker turned water boy David Pocock, Wallabies coach Robbie Deans was keen to open the 2011 Test season in winning fashion.

With Australia falling behind 29-13 in the 55th minute, Deans anxiously threw big guns Will Genia and Kurtley Beale into the action.

But it was too little too late, with Samoa holding on for a memorable triumph.

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