Samoa coach Stephen Betham admitted his side’s win was ‘scrappy’ as they overcame the USA 25-16  at Brighton’s Community Stadium to kick-start their World Cup campaign in Pool B.

There was never a chance the game was going to live up to Japan’s 34-32 win over two-time champions South Africa on Saturday which reverberated around the globe.

But a high penalty count in a stop-start clash meant the supporters were only treated to the occasional glimpses of running rugby they hoped for.

Betham admitted: “It was scrappy.

“We were guilt of forcing too many 50/50 passes. We will take the win and move on from here.

“We talked at half-time about not forcing the 50/50 errors and we've got a lot to do before next weekend."

USA head coach Mike Tolkin had even more reason to rue their indiscipline as they conceded 14 penalties.

Tisu Pisi booted four and Mike Stanley the other, while tries from Tim Nanai-Williams and Ofsia Treviranus accounted for the rest of Samoa’s points.

Chris Wyles and Chris Baumann got the Eagles’ tries with fly-half AJ MacGinty adding two penalties.

Tolkin said: “"One of the things in the plan is not to give away possession and in the first half we did that, and the penalty count contributed to that.”