Faith: the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen. In other words, if you can see it and believe it, you can have it.
‘Faith’ defines the mindset of Samoa’s first XV who savaged a stonewalled Aussie outfit, that woke up this morning, feeling like they’d been run over by a big brown bus.
How else can you explain the giant Aussie superpower, being forced into submission by a little Pacific nation ranked tenth on the IRB’s list?
Because in theory, the second-ranked Wallabies were at least 30 points better than Samoa; on paper that is.
There was another profound aspect to Samoa’s approach to this game in the tangible outworking of their core belief.
And it was this. Nothing levels the playing field faster than pure unadulterated physical aggression. The proof; Samoa 32 over the Wallabies, 23.
If a side exerts such physical dominance to the point of creating fear in the minds of their opposition, the best game-plan, reputation and ‘team on paper’ is effectively screwed up and tossed out of the window.
The Samoans have always had a fierce defensive reputation. So have the Tongans, the other Pacific nation to have walloped the Wallabies back in 1973.
Every World Cup highlight-reel features a victim of an infamous Pacific torpedo. It’s all about the timing, although accuracy is often found wanting.
But not on this occasion. The Samoans couldn’t miss, their defensive radars so finely tuned that anything in green and gold that remotely looked like moving was effectively obliterated.
It was indeed a physical annihilation of epic proportions. Australia’s big men (and big egos) were cut down to size, literally and figuratively.
The shock-factor though, was that nobody saw the big brown bus coming. Too busy naval-gazing at their post-Super Rugby self-importance.
The proof of Aussie distain towards their Pacific challengers was in passing-up three easy penalty-goals in the first 20 minutes, which would have been understandable if they looked like scoring. But they didn’t.
And as the Samoans piled on the big hits and the points, disillusionment became increasingly apparent in the countenance of fifteen sorry Wallabies.
30,000 fans and confused Aussie commentators waited impatiently for the tide to turn.
As the game wound down, it became apparent that this tide was in fact a Samoan Tsunami, that grew bigger and bigger until the final whistle, at which stage the Wallabies were well and truly, dead and buried.
Sweet victory for Samoa. And for the Wallabies, well, roadkill.
rugbyrick
Guest
This article is right on the money! Watch out those who take Manu Samoa for granted!!! Bit of a wake up call, but these boys will be up for anything that comes their way. Its going to be good watching
GrecoRoman
Roar Guru
Mils Muliaina is a Leo? That really surprises me. I would have sworn he was a Pisces.
Lion Red
Guest
Rodney So'oialo born 3 October 1979 in Moto'otua, Samoa. Jerry Collins born 4 November 1980 in Apia, Samoa. Mils Muliaina born born 31 July 1980 Salesi, Samoa. Joe Rokocoko born 6 June 1983, Nadi Fiji. Sitiveni Waica Sivivatu born 19 April 1982 Suva, Fiji.
Michael Clark
Guest
Ma'a and Rodney are NZ born - as are most of the Island players mentioned in these threads. A point overlooked or ignored by most commenters...
GrecoRoman
Roar Guru
Fair enough. Then what about the situation I mention a few posts down? Can we then tighten the rules in relation to the whole 'grandparent' thing? I can understand first generation kids of migrants, but some of the links that the 'Italian' players have are pretty tenuous. Are they the 'Azzurri' or the 'Azzurri-Argies'? Scotland are prone to do that with its so-called 'Kilted Kiwis'.
Emric
Guest
I think he meant to say heritage - I agree the islands would benefit if the IRB relaxed the rules in their case.
GrecoRoman
Roar Guru
Ok. So what about the large number of Argies that have been poached by the Italians and are no longer eligible to play for their homeland simply because of this 'grandparent' rule that exists? Not disagreeing with you btw, just something you might consider as I find the eligibility rules to be all over the place.
Michael Clark
Guest
This debate goes around in circles because many contributors fail to acknowledge or understand that most of these players are born and develop in NZ or Australia. The arrival of professional rugby has greatly benefitted the island nations, as they have been able to recruit fully developed professional players who have not been selected by their home nation but who qualify for Samoa, Fiji, Tonga etc by dint of heritage and dual citizenship rights. These players are supplemented by others who are now playing in the European and Japanese competitions. Only a small number come out of the island villages. It would not be fair or equitable to change the rules to allow players who have completed a representative career for their home nation to then be selected by the land of their ethnic heritage for a second international career. It couldn't be done just for a handful of NZ or Australian players with island heritage without also applying to others who fit the same criteria. That would lead to chaos, as all the Southern hemisphere rugby powers are nations of immigrants with almost every player (excepting Maori and Aboriginal players) eligible to be selected by country of ethnic origin. For instance, should Jimmy Cowan be eligible to be selected for Scotland when his All Black days are over?
sixo_clock
Roar Guru
Excellent writing KoC, great points. However this is how the Wallabies invariably start every international season so lets hope it was just a hiccup. Outstanding fitness by Manu Samoa! Like most I expected an avalanche of points when those massive thighs tired and it did not happen. Slowing the game down helps but not that much. Real commitment, heart. They should be there in the WC finals if injury doesn't slow 'The Tsunami' down.
GrecoRoman
Roar Guru
A lot of the Samoan and Tongan players were born in New Zealand and are products of their schools and provincial rep systems. Your suggestion wouldn't really change things much at all.
SamSport
Roar Pro
I am saying a few of the Reds players - especially their forwards who have played a lot of rugby - could have been given a breather. They've played a lot of rugby, and although they are professionals, they're going to be playing four Tri-Nations matches before the RWC. Samoa don't have any more matches until the world cup (correct me if I'm wrong there). Deans should have fielded a stronger side don't get me wrong, put all those Reds players out there is just flogging a dead horse. You're right about the rusty, how could that be an excuse? The Samoan XV was completely different to their team during the PNC! I think in many ways both teams had similar build ups, although Australia had the significant advantage of playing at home.
Ralph
Guest
Samoa have really kicked the Wallabies in the guts. Next they face the Springboks, but it's a B side so it won't get any easier. If the Wallabies lose all hell will break loose and there will be cries for Dean's head to roll. If they just win the Springboks will mock them for being unable to put away their B team. They have to win and win big to get back on course. The pressure is right on now.
Aware
Guest
cont... The Samoans will now be under the microscope as never before.
Jerry
Guest
Couple of corrections, Robert. John Schuster played for the AB's prior to the 91 World Cup. He'd already gone to league by that stage and had yet to actually play for Samoa (he did subsequently). I don't think Junior Paramore ever actually played for the AB's.
nige imrie
Guest
Deans should have feilded his strongest team, this is the professional era, these men get paid big dollars to play and entertain. The test team shoud be your strongest team, it is not the venue to trial players, the strongest pack and strongest backline have to be on the field for every test match,injuries is when replacements are made. When you make the test team you should want to hold your posistion, others in the squad should want to push you out of your posistion, not because you are tired. Vickermans selection should never have been made, he did not play all year, look at the likes of Munn, Sam Wykes from the Force, played hard all year to no avail. The selection of Elsom, Higginbotham outplayed him all year and yet Elsom gets the starting spot, Deans methods are counter producyive, players may not express dissatisfaction but it will be reflected in their performance. He is not a captain. Love how the commentators kept saying the Wallabies were rusty, how were the Samoans, why weren;y they rusty, Wallabies outplayed, the selections left a lot to be desired. If Deans wants to trial players in the test arena maybe he should be coaching super rugby again, he is always good with the technical jargon but poor on the balance sheet, it is never too late for a change of management,corporations do it everyday.
Aware
Guest
Ironically, the Wallabies could still have beaten Samoa had they been smarter and taken the points on offer, especially early in the game. Sometimes you've got to adjust your thinking to suit the opponent. I felt that they were trying to physically match the Samoans instead of playing their more expansive game or counter-attacking. They need to learn a horses-for-courses approach. As for the Samoans, they played as expected and deserved to win, but shouldn't get too carried away. They've now revealed their hand and that wouldn't have gone unnoticed by the rest of the rugby world.
Handles O'Love
Guest
Postives include - better now than QF of the RWC - bye bye Matt Giteau - bye bye Nathan Sharpe, Matt Hodgson
GrecoRoman
Roar Guru
Yes Nige - I like the idea of selling the Rugby brand that way. However, there should be a period of time specified. 2 years since you last played your test for instance. As has been pointed out - we don't want a situation like RL where the rules are just willy-nilly and you can represent one country one year and then another the following.
nige imrie
Guest
The Law on player eligibility should be simple; If you are Samoan, Fijian or French and have been playing for the AB's or the Wallabies and are then overlooked for selection concistently and your services are no longer required then that nation should be able to release you from your contracts and sign you off, if your country of birth then requires your services you should be eligible to play for them. Take Rokocoko, Samo, Nono, Soi'alo, the AB's or Wallabies don;t require their services sign them off, they atr then eligible to play for their home nations. It may be a corporate game but it is still a game, and people want to enjoy the game,we can still sell the rugby brand if Samo can play for Australia then Fiji, Nonu for AB then Samoa, what a sight, simple, legals are easily remedied.
nige imrie
Guest
Bro, we are so proud of our Samoan bothers, we have dreamed of an encounter of this calibre for so long, back in Fiji we have dreamed of the perfect game, we beat Wales and that was one for the talanoa around the kava bowl, but you boys have put the icing on the cake, It was the perfect game, defence equalled offence in intensity, the option taking was straight out of the text book plus a bit of Samoan flavour. It was the sheer physical nature, the controlled aggression, the set piece was awesome, everything was controlled, these Wallabies and their coach forget that the Samoans are professionals,you don't get selected in a French top 14 team unless you are good at what you do, they could buy anyone! Deans lack of respect for the Samoan rugby team is what galvanised the team, as a Pacific Islander I want to thank the team for making us proud, this is just the begining, you will take them out of the RWC in the quarter finals. Vinaka from all the gang in Fiji.