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Joined November 2010
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Hey mania, sole man, I had no idea about that NZ Samoans tour in the 90s … but that’s exactly the same time I had relocated here to Sydney. Sounds like an awesome lineup with those big names you mentioned. But like yourself, I wonder why that concept was scrapped? I suppose that was how the Pacific Islands format subsequently came along. And even that was scrapped too.
Why aren't Samoa in the Rugby Championship?
Thanks Mania … sa’o lava oe lau susuga lol fa’amalulu atu uce’. I must’ve got carried away as I originally had J Collins omitted from the First XV by mistake, before slotting him in there and forgetting to amend the ‘rest of squad’ members haha … otherwise, I’ll have to bring in Filipo Levi for that last vacant spot. Yes we have the Molis, the Sailis and the Luatuas but Levi is still well-known compared to these guys (hence my All-Star selection). And indeed Rudi Wulf is a good player but it goes to show that there are still a stack of super Samoan talent that missed out. Forgot to mention the importance of the coaching staff lol Tana Umaga (Head Coach), Michael Jones (Forwards), Frank Bunce (Backs) and Bryan Williams (Manager). Cheers.
Why aren't Samoa in the Rugby Championship?
Good article uso, well done.
Other than joining in the various opinions, bottom line is … it is all about money, sole. That’s just reality but nothing will ever take away the Pride of Samoa. We did win a World Champions Sevens tournament, so, along with Fiji, being the small Island nations that we are, this is our only piece of the pie from the IRB … they’re happy, so long as the Sevens series is still growing and providing more money. That’s just the way it is.
Then again, the Samoa Rugby Union aren’t doing themselves any favours by having ‘dropped’ the Captain (Mahonri Schwalger) who spoke out the truth post-World Cup 2011, and nothing but the truth.
Nevertheless, in a perfect world, amongst the active Samoan players around the world regardless of citizenship (the fact they’re still Samoans), how’s this for an All-Stars 30-man squad Manu Samoa Dream Team –
15 Mils Muliaina 14 Digby Ioane 13 Ma’a Nonu 12 Sonny Bill Williams 11 Julian Savea 10 Isaia Toeava 9 Kahn Fotuali’i 8 Jerry Collins 7 Maurie Fa’asavalu 6 Jerome Kaino 5 Kane Thompson 4 Bradley Mika 3 John Afoa 2 Keven Mealamu 1 Charlie Faumuina
Reserves: 16 Mahonri Schwalger 17 Census Johnston 18 George Stowers 19 Victor Vito 20 Tusi Pisi 21 Manu Tuilagi 22 Paul Williams. Rest of squad: Ti’i Paulo, Neemia Tialata, Chris Masoe, Jerry Collins, Rodney So’oialo, Lima Sopoaga, David Smith, Alesana Tulagi.
Why aren't Samoa in the Rugby Championship?
You couldn’t even compare the two … McCaw is in a league of his own, whereas Cooper is the biggest dreamer … a Kiwi-born boy who once admired the All Blacks, until he moved to … wait for it … here’s a clue … his first name consists of the letters in his own sorry mental ‘state’ … Queensland. And thus, he grew up with Aussie blood, hence his arrogance and utter petulance.
Put simply, Richie McCaw – Man/Legend vs Quade Cooper – Mouse/Wannabe.
Digby Ioane is another ‘traitor’. Try and compare any Kiwi-Samoan with this Samoan Aussie …get the picture ?
And I’m Samoan myself.
Richie McCaw vs Quade Cooper: best of enemies
Thank You Gatesy, I appreciate the compliment but I’m just an amateur mate.
As for your views regarding the “woeful” tag, fair enough. Perhaps people do forget that the Wallabies are missing world class players, such as James O’Connor, David Pocock, Will Genia, James Horwill, Drew Mitchell and to a lesser extent, others that I’d still rate highly in Rocky Elsom, Stirling Mortlock and Matt Giteau.
Cheers.
All Blacks devastate Pumas in brutal display