Manu Sāmoa's new beginning gets serious after Zimbabwe rugby statement in England

Manu Sāmoa's new era is starting to look very real.

A 43-7 win over Zimbabwe in Wakefield, England, on Sunday (NZ time) did more than give Sāmoa a second victory in the World Rugby Nations Cup.

It showed the potential of a side being reshaped around new faces, returning leaders and players with the experience to lift the standard.

The biggest statement came from Latrell Ah Kiong, who scored three of Sāmoa's seven tries in a commanding performance.

But the bigger story may be what happened around him.

Former All Blacks Shaun Stevenson and Josh Ioane made their Manu Sāmoa debuts while AJ Lam, who has also spent time in the New Zealand set-up, scored on debut.

Four players came into the match as newcomers, underlining the scale of the changes being made to the squad.

Stevenson was particularly dangerous from the back while Peter Umaga-Jensen, Lalomilo Lalomilo and Lam helped give Sāmoa's attack a cutting edge.

For a team looking to build something beyond the current Nations Cup campaign, that combination is significant.

Former Moana Pasifika captain Miracle Faiilagi goes over for one of Manu Sāmoa's seven tries against Zimbabwe. Photo/World Rugby

Head coach and former Manu Sāmoa player, Saosili George Pisi, speaking before the Zimbabwe match, described the current group as "a new beginning" and said the arrival of high-level players could change how younger Pacific players see their international future.

"I think the young talent, you know, obviously those boys coming into, especially that backline, you know, with Shaun Stevenson there, with Simone and also Umaga Jenson," he told Pacific Huddle host Tuilagi William Leolahi.

"I think for them coming into Manu Sāmoa, it just really uplifts the younger generation's thinking. Hey, they're the people I looked up to, you know, if they can play there, I can play there."

That pathway could become one of the most important parts of Sāmoa's rebuild.

Pisi believes players coming through the New Zealand system should see Sāmoa as more than an alternative. He sees it as a genuine route into international rugby and, potentially, professional opportunities overseas.

Sunday's performance gave that idea some weight.

Tonga and Zimbabwe battle it out in an earlier Nations Cup clash as both sides continue their campaign in the tournament. Photo/World Rugby

Sāmoa led 19-0 at half-time and continued to pull away after the break as Benjamin Petaia Nee-Nee, Miracle Faiilagi and Lam added tries before Ah Kiong completed his hat-trick.

Captain Theodore McFarland, back after missing the opening three rounds of the Nations Cup, said the team still had plenty to learn.

"Been some months before we played together again, and it was good to welcome the new boys and also get back our core players," he said.

"Zimbabwe was great and they came at us hard. Was good to have that win."

Zimbabwe never stopped competing and scored a late consolation try through Dale Lemon.

Their captain Hilton Mudariki accepted the gulf between the teams but believes the Sables can use the experience.

Watch Saosili George Pisi's full interview below.

"Credit to Samoa because they showed their class today," he told media after the game. "It shows we've got a lot to work on, but our fans were amazing so we'll just keep building."

For Sāmoa, the next test comes quickly. Portugal await in Lisbon next Sunday, giving Pisi and his coaching staff another chance to see whether last weekend's mix of established leaders, returning players and new talent can develop into something bigger.

The result against Zimbabwe was convincing. But Pisis believes that the real test now is whether this new beginning can become a new Manu Sāmoa identity.

Elsewhere in the Nations Championship, England made a statement at Twickenham with a record 45-22 bonus-point win over Australia on Monday morning (NZT).

Henry Pollock scored twice as England ran in seven tries, giving Steve Borthwick's side a much-needed boost after a poor Six Nations campaign.

The result also continued England's strong recent record against the Wallabies, with their 12th win in their past 14 meetings.