Samoan skipper Sititi broke aggressively from the back of a scrum just inside his own half, and wing Lome Fa’atau required no second invitation to set off on a weaving 50-metre run which left Uruguay's defence in tatters.

It was another scintillating solo effort, and Va’a kicked his third successful conversion before Uruguay skipper Diego Aguirre found the target with a 38-metre penalty.

Trailing 36-8 midway through the third quarter, Uruguay could now only concentrate on a damage-limitation exercise.

But when Samoan substitute Simon Lemalu scored with his first touch, and full-back Tanner Vili sprinted over in the corner just two minutes later, the South Americans had to fear the worst.

Pablo Lemoine has managed to restore some pride for the Uruguayans, going over for a try after 64 minutes.