Wales survived potential embarrassment on Friday when they edged a 17-13 win over Samoa at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

Wing Leigh Halfpenny scored an early try and also kicked a penalty, with flyhalf Dan Bigger kicking nine points.

But Samoa, who only got together on Sunday, dominated the closing period.

Centre Seilala Mapusua claimed an interception try, with flyhalf Fa'atonu Fili slotting two penalties and a conversion.

Samoa wasted two golden opportunities to score late tries, but poor handling and some desperate Welsh defending eased the home side's worries.

Scorers:

For Wales:
Try: Halfpenny
Pens: Biggar 3, Halfpenny 1

For Samoa:
Try: Mapusua
Con: Fili
Pens: Fili 2

Teams:

Wales: 15 James Hook, 14 Leigh Halfpenny, 13 Tom Shanklin, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Tom James, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Dwayne Peel, 8 Ryan Jones (captain), 7 Sam Warburton, 6 Andy Powell, 5 Luke Charteris, 4 Alun-Wyn Jones, 3 Paul James, 2 Huw Bennett, 1 Gethin Jenkins
Replacements: 16 Matthew Rees, 17 Craig Mitchell, 18 Bradley Davies, 19 Jonathan Thomas, 20 Martin Roberts, 21 Jonathan Davies, 22 Morgan Stoddart.

Samoa: 15 Lolo Lui, 14 David Lemi, 13 Gavin Williams, 12 Seilala Mapusua, 11 Anitelea Tuilagi, 10 Fa'atonu Fili, 9 Junior Poluleuligaga, 8 Henry Tuilagi, 7 Ofisa Treviranus, 6 George Stowers (captain), 5 Iosefa Tekori, 4 Filip Levi, 3 Census Johnston, 2 Mahonri Schwalger, 1 Justin Va'a
Replacements: 16 Andrew Williams, 17 Sakaria Taulafo, 18 Kane Thompson, 19 Jonathon Fa'amatuianu, 20 Uale Mai, 21 Henry Fa'afili, 22 Titi Esau

Referee: Peter Fitzgibbon (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Dave Pearson (England), Rob Debney (England)
TMO: Geoff Warren (England)