Roar Guru
It’s kicking off in Brighton tonight in more ways than one as the USA meet Samoa in Britain’s beachside party town. Who will win this battle for the hearts of Eastern Samoans? Join The Roar for commentary, live scores and chat from 9:00pm AEST.
The Eagles meet Samoa probably not in the best spirits. They came second last in the Pacific Nations Cup, winning only two out of their four games, all of which were held in North America (ominously for Australia, England and Wales, Fiji won that tournament).
However, on the upside, they managed to better Canada in the fifth-placed playoff, stretching their winning streak against their neighbours to three in a row.
Samoa, on the other hand, should be coming into this game and pool with confidence. South Africa will most likely win the pool but Samoa are the best of the rest (which includes Scotland and Japan).
Samoa’s Pacific Nations Cup reads two victories, including a 30-all draw with and, in the championship match, a 10-point loss to Fiji.
Pool A is rightly looking as the toughest group of all, but after South Africa Pool B is looking to be a fierce contest.
Every game between the relative minnows will be full-blooded, and despite the rather mountainous odds facing the Americans, expect them to make a George Foreman fist of it.
It’s both nations’ first game of the World Cup, so both teams should be fresh as daisies and ready to put out their strongest side.
The only consideration to make is the teams’ respective fixtures. After this game, Samoa will be playing South Africa on the 26th, while the US will play Scotland a day after that.
Also, if you’re expecting Todd Clever to be playing, he didn’t make the cut.
Prediction: Samoa by 10
Join The Roar for commentary, live scores and chat from 9:00pm AEST.