Manu Samoa, the tenth-ranked IRB nation, recently sent shockwaves through the rugby world with an utterly convincing win over the second-ranked Australians.
The side, marshaled by dynamic Crusader’s halfback Kahn Fotuali’i, is a world-class unit that combines the qualities of raw power and unbridled flare that has characterized Pacific rugby for decades.
This time, though, maturity, accuracy and composure are in the mix.
Samoa’s squad harbors potent firepower, including winger Alesana Tuilagi, who steamrolled a quality Wallaby opposition involving Red’s dynamite Digby Ioane. Alesana is the older brother of Manu Tuilagi, who has been named for England in jersey 13 for the pinnacle tournament.
Head coach Fuimaono Titimaea Tafua has done a sterling job in uniting his team of overseas-based players.
One can only imagine the threat Samoa would pose, if their full complement could also comprise of Samoan stock that have previously been capped by other nations, but for that reason, are subsequently ruled ineligible for their homeland.
Looking towards the Rugby World Cup then, now a matter of days away, this team hailing from the western-most parts of the Samoan Islands, is poised to inflict some serious damage in their pool and into the final rounds en route to their desired destination at Eden Park.
Notably, 30 minutes south of the Rugby World Cup headquarters is the de facto heart of the Pacific nations, which is Otara and the surrounding suburbs of South Auckland.
This means, the players will be as comfortable in this setting as they would on the streets of Apia, thus eliminating any geographical trepidation. It is a competitive edge against foes travelling from much farther afield.
Samoa is housed in Rugby World Cup’s Pool D, and open their campaign against Namibia on September 14 in Rotorua. They then face:
– Wales: September 18 at Hamilton
– Fiji: September 25 at Auckland
– South Africa: September 30 at Auckland
Clearly, the lead contender in this Pool are defending champions South Africa.
However, based on present form, which includes two defeats against the Wallaby side Samoa beat, the Pacific warriors will be eyeing their first ever victory over the mighty Springboks in a rivalry that records six defeats from six matches.
Look then to Wales, a nation the Samoans have battled also on six previous occasions, for which they have secured three victories. A 50-50 split is incentive enough for the Pacific nation to go one-up on the Welsh.
Fiji represent a genuine threat based on a history of fierce rivalry, that for Samoa, records 15 wins, 3 draws and 25 losses from 43 matches.
In saying that, momentum and focus are Samoa’s friends against a Fijian XV suffering political and economic upheaval.
Theoretically, should Samoa secure a first ever victory over the Springboks, they would finish on top of their pool and likely face Ireland in a thoroughly winnable quarter-final.
However, a second-placing in their pool would likely force a rematch against the Wallabies.
A quarter-final victory for the Samoans, will see them pitched against a team derived from Pools A and B, which include New Zealand, France, England, Scotland and Argentina.
Historically, the farthest Samoa has advanced in a Rugby World Cup is to the quarter-final stage.
In 1991, Samoa was defeated by Scotland 6-28 at Murrayfield Stadium. Scotland would also be the exit-point for the Samoans in 1999 via a quarter-final playoff, which they lost 20-35.
1995 was the other quarter-final occasion in which the Pacific nation was bravely defeated by an inspired South African XV, 14-42 at Ellis Park Johannesberg.
The same Springbok side would go on to hoist the Webb Ellis Trophy following an epic final victory over the All Blacks, 15-12.
Now, in the final countdown till Rugby World Cup 2011, builds a calm and menacing confidence in the Samoan camp ahead of another historic campaign.
And whilst New Zealand’s hopes are firmly fixed on the fortunes of our own First XV to quench 24 years of barrenness, hearts will also point fondly towards the plight of our brothers from the Pacific.
Zeoh
Guest
Hmm, have you seen the Samoan players in real life, i admit that South Africa has huge men, but the Samoan gameplay has changed drastically you have guys in there like Fotuali'i, Mapusua, Schwalger, Perenise, Williams etc, all are great gamebreakers and contribute to leading the team in a direction where they play smarter and faster rugby. Also Brian Habana i idolized growing up, though him coming up against Alesana Tuilagi is just one clash i see him coming out second best. But either way I am backing Samoa, although if they do not make the quarter finals, i will be supporting the South Africans :)
charmina
Guest
recovery time for Samoa is shocking. they get the least amount of days to recover similar to US, Namibia and Russia? A country that has made 2 RWC quater finals is 10th in the rankings being given this kind of draw is tantamount to match fixing. Of all the Pacific Islands, Samoa has the most potential - has been since 1991 to make it to the semis. So Fijji who is 13th ranked gets 6 additional more days to rest than Samoa. Pathetic IRB! Whilst Samoa keeps giving the world some of the best rugby players over the past decades and over 10 of them currently playing for AB, Walabies, England in this world Cup and will continue to do so in the future, we still dont get the "level playing filed" that we deserve. If Samoa had all the Samoan players playing in the ABs, Wallabies, English teams not to mention those who due to IRB's eligibility policy to keep the 1st tier nations ahead of the 2nd and 3rd tier nations, then we would be regular fixtures in RWC semi finals and can even make it to the finals. I think its really a conspiracy by the first tier nations IRB members to contain the Samoan team's potential to upset them - like we easily dispensed with Australia 2 months ago. I think perhaps Samoa would be better off switching allegiance to rugby league.
jus de couchon
Guest
Manu Samoa should have S.B.Williams and M a Nonu to name just 2 Samoans. The NRL steals Samoans to play for the Kangaroos and International Rugby League is poorer for it. The All Blacks are just as guilty of pilfering the best rugby players on the planet.
ozxile
Roar Pro
Pothale: Re: Who made the WC squad? In starting XV vs Samoa Sekope Kepu Stephen Moore Ben Alexander Nathan Sharpe Rocky Elsom Ben McCalman Nick Phipps Digby Ioane Pat McCabe Adam Ashley-Cooper Bench Dan Vickerman Scott Higginbotham Will Genia Kurtley Beale
Ben S
Roar Guru
Andrew Sheridan is big for a prop but smaller than Census Johnston who is bigger than Gethin Jenkins and Martin Castrogiovanni. Kane Thompson is more of a 5 lock, so it's probably not fair to compare him to Botha or Shaw, both of whom are on the large side. Tekori and Leo are hardly small. Also, from memory Samoa tend to do quite well securing primary possession.
Derm
Roar Guru
Have Samoa got what it takes really? They blew Australia off the park in their one-off warm up. Against a reduced (it wasn't completely second string) Wallabies side. (Am curious to know how many of the Wallaby side that day made it into the RWC 30 besides Rocky Elsom.) However, can Samoa sustain such a forceful game over four pool matches over a shorter recovery time frame than some of the bigger nations have? Why do New Zealand, the hosting nation, with all its inherent advantages and who have effectively two full-strength teams to field compared to say the likes of Samoa, get more and better spaced recovery time (23 days in total) than their "minnow" pool opponents Tonga (22), Canada (18) or Japan (17)? South Africa seem to have got a short straw with only 19 days of recovery time between their first and last pool match, but their opponents, Samoa, join the the likes of Russia, Namibia and the US on only 16 days. Wales and Fiji benefit from 21 and 22 days respectively. It's also interesting to look at the recovery time some teams have prior to a key pool match compared to others e.g. NZ v Fra have 8 and 6 days. Tonga v Japan have 5 and 7 days. England have their tough matches bookending their easier ones. Ireland has 7 days of recovery before they play Italy who have only 5. Manu Samoa play Namibia on 14th, then Wales four days later, Fiji 7 days, and then SA five days later again who will have had an extra 3 days of recovery time. An analysis of the pool match schedule looks like this: Pool A New Zealand 9th, 16th, 24th, 2nd: 7 days, 8 days, 8 days - 23 days of recovery between 1st and 4th match France 10th, 18th, 24th, 1st: 8 days, 6 days, 7 days - 21 days Tonga 9th, 14th, 21st, 1st: 5 days, 7 days, 10 days - 22 days Canada 14th, 18th, 27th, 2nd: 4 days, 9 days, 5 days - 18 days Japan 10th, 16th, 21st, 27th: 6 days, 5 days, 6 days - 17 days Pool B Scotland - 10th, 14th, 25th: 1st - 4 days, 11 days, 6 days - 21 days Argentina - 10th, 17th, 25th, 2nd: 7 days, 8 days, 7 days - 22 days England - 10th, 18th, 24th, 1st: - 8 days, 6 days, 7 days - 21 days Georgia - 14th, 18th, 28th, 2nd: 4 days, 10 days, 5 days - 19 days Romania - 10th, 17th, 24th, 28th: 7 days, 7 days, 4 days - 18 days Pool C Australia - 11th, 17th, 23rd, 1st: 6 days, 6 days, 8 days - 20 days Ireland - 11th, 17th, 25th, 2nd: 6 days, 8 days, 7 days - 21 days Italy - 11th, 20th, 27th, 2nd: 9 days, 7 days, 5 days - 21 days Russia - 15th, 20th, 25th, 1st: 5 days, 5 days, 6 days - 16 days US - 11th, 15th, 23rd, 27th: 4 days, 8 days, 4 days - 16 days Pool D South Africa - 11th, 17th, 22nd, 30th: 6 days, 5 days, 8 days - 19 days Wales - 11th, 18th, 26th, 2nd: 7 days, 8 days, 6 days - 21 days Samoa - 14th, 18th, 25th, 30th: 4 days, 7 days, 5 days - 16 days Fiji - 10th, 17th, 25th, 2nd: 7 days, 8 days, 7 days - 22 days Namibia - 10th, 14th, 22nd, 26th: 4 days, 8 days, 4 days - 16 days If Manu Samoa make it through to the quarters, they'll deserve extra praise working against such inequities.
kovana
Guest
They said the said the same thing about a Q-final Exit for the ABs in 2007..
jaysper
Guest
hmmm, i think theres a snowballs chace in hell that the boks will exit in pool play
kovana
Guest
Write us off at your own peril.. Just like the Aussies and Welsh did.
Shahsan
Guest
Yes, the Boks are physically at another level. They dealt with Samoa comfortably in 2003 and 2007. Will be same again this time, sadly. Ironically, while we know Islander players are massive and strong, what they lack compared with the other nations are really, really big men in the areas where you need really big men. Man for man and on an average, Islanders are big and power packed, but they all do lack really huge props, and really tall and bulky locks. Compare for example Kane Thompson with, say, Bakkies Botha or Simon Shaw or Paul Connell or Dan Vickerman, and compare any of their front rowers with, say Gethin Jenkins or Andy Sheridan or Castrogiovani. This inability to easily secure primary possession ultimately proves teh Island teams' undoing. They spend all their time tackling and trying to win back possession or frittering away what little they do get with the flair they can't help but want to play with.
Rugby realist
Guest
Unfortunately the Boks have the game to combat the Samoans. Occasionally Samoa can push or upset Wales, Austraia etc, but South Africa can withstand the nslaught then grind them down. I hope not, go Manu Samoa!! Its a shame that it is such a pool of death. I fear even if Wales or Samoa manage to upset the Boks then they will be spent and lose to another tough team. And in the end a few teams may end up on similar points with Boks still going through
Shahsan
Guest
No, the worst reffing display against Samoa was Jim Fleming in the Samoans' quarterfinal vs South Africa at the 1995 World Cup. I would argue that at least three of the Springboks' three tries were illegal (go watch the tape). Good for Chester Williams but Fleming, like Derek Bevan in the semi, clearly knew which team he wanted going through. Maybe he got a gold watch too from Louis Luyt. The problem for the island teams, in fact for all the smaller nations, is that refs take the opportunity to show off their knowledge of the law books when they ref the small teams, something they dont dare do when they ref the biggest nations. How many times do refs dare penalise McCaw or Pocock or Brussow, or Botha, Du Plessis, for examples, without paying the price?
kovana
Guest
Lo... All he peasants bow down to the might of the Manu Samoa. BILL Rightfully belongs to US!
knockon
Guest
Agree re the Refs. The most biased refereeing performance I've ever seen was a world cup game between samoa and england. Dickinson blew the samoans off the park, literally. Eventually the did get frustrated and the game became a joke.
Adam
Guest
I think the fact that so many of the Samoan team now play in Europe is going to see them perform very highly. There is no longer the traditional fading out in the second half. I believe Samoa and to a lesser extent Fiji, will be able to perform for the full 80 minutes and give Wales and SA a real run for their money.
sheek
Guest
The islanders - Samoa, Fiji & Tonga - have another problem that all nations will face, but perhaps for them even more a problem - the refs. Lack of discipline is an ingrained trait in the islanders. They don't like being shackled, especially by the ref. And the refs are the so-called elephants in the room. We can see them all around us, but we don't want to talk about them! So this, plus the fact most of the islanders don't develop the style & structure to get past the occassional blinder, might see them flounder when it matters most. But I'll be happy for one of them to prove me wrong.....
KiwiDave
Guest
Tusi Pisi too though
King of the Gorgonites
Roar Guru
I have made this bold prediction before, but i believe SA will be the team to miss out in this pool. Wales will beat SA in the opening game. pressure will be on SA big time. if the boks than lose to fiji or Samoa they are essentially done. it could all come down to the last match of the pool, samoa v boks, winner takes all. what a story that would be. the wallabies would much rather play samoa than the boks.
obert
Guest
manu samoa is not going to beat wales with the crap team it just named..tasesa lavea at flyhalf? you gotta be kidding me..
Argyle
Roar Guru
I can't agree mate. I think Samoa's win over Australia was deserved but will go down as another 'flash-in-the-pan' type performance. I have no doubt of the Samoan's toughness nor ability. I do question their one dimensional play and a smart team will beat them with sound tactics not meeting their physicality with a direct running game. It is for this reason I don't think the Welsh will look to take any team on up front for too long. I think they will rely on 10 man rugby, field position, drop and penalty goals. I think this will frustrate teams like Fiji and Samoa who will want the game to flow and for the Welsh to run at them (Australia's mistake). I think Wales will win the pool! As for South Africa they may get sucked into the crash and bash game and if Morne Steyn is not playing to kick goals the Jappies could be a surpise scalp for either Samoa or Fiji.