[2014 EOYT] Italy vs Samoa

[Big Ewis]

I believe Lee played for the NZ Sevens, so he's not eligible for Samoa anymore.

EDIT: Whoops, took to long to reply!

well that's alright.....FISTER MISH. ....So sorry, I don't know what came into FIST...me...it's just the darnest....ER MISHHHH !!!!!!!!...

@Andre8 interesting news. What form has Masi been on lately ?? I saw the 2011 game in Rome, France in the 6N, and he was absolutely magnificent back then. Have lost track of him lately...

 

[Andre8]

@Big Ewis Masi is playing on a regular basis for Wasps, he's actually the starting full back.. I couldn't manage to see a lot of wasps games, but if he's always playing I think he's doing great

 

[Big Ewis]

also, how in the world have Samoa not picked Joe Tekori ?!! I've been watching him first hand at Toulouse for some time now, and he's an absolute MONSTER physically. Huge, tall but thick, pure power, long arms. He commits silly fouls, but he's one hell of a weapon both offensively and defensively...anyone have a clue why he wasn't picked ??

 

[Hap]

Another italian here!
Hello to everybody.

The Haimona pick in the starting XV was a huge surprise to italian supporters too. The guy is a decent Pro12 centre, not sure if he has the pace to play flyhalf at international level. He surely is a mastodon (I think he's the biggest flyhalf/centre in a National Team in this round) with his 110 kg of weight and basically, that's why he's there.
Good breaking line ability, good kicking skill, that's it.
I've seen him playing with Zebre but I'm definitely curious to see how will he manage the game out there..

Backrow is the best we can deploy and I think that when in good form they have nothing to fear from anybody. Same for Ghiraldini, Furno and Sarto (this guy is phenomenal, potentially best wing in Italy since years)

And that's where good news end, for us

Front row is the Zebre's prop line-up, which was performing very well until 2 weeks ago. In the last 2 Pro12 games they have not been so effective. We'll see.
Gori is not in his best period, same for Morisi and Campagnaro which are struggling in the general quality-lacking Treviso situation. The two centres are very young and potentially really good players, hope they revitalize with the Azzuri shirt on.
McLean? I prefer him at fullback, he's not a winger.

Masi is recovering from an injury (concussion, I think) and I don't now how's his shape. Surely he's the big heart of our national team. I think he's not a proper fullback, he hasn't a very accurate kicking game for exampleand his game style is very predictable, in my opinion he's a tremendous 12 but is a warrior that never gives up.

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

Welcome hap do make yourself comfortable here. not usual i've never seen that many italians here welcome if you haven't already then i recommend you check out the Italian Rugby thread which is updated by @MauriSca7 and @Andre8 you can find the thread here. http://www.therugbyforum.com/threads/33649-Italian-Rugby i'm sure you can fit in the conversation very well.

 

[Hap]

Welcome hap do make yourself comfortable here. not usual i've never seen that many italians here welcome if you haven't already then i recommend you check out the Italian Rugby thread which is updated by @MauriSca7 and @Andre8 you can find the thread here. http://www.therugbyforum.com/threads/33649-Italian-Rugby i'm sure you can fit in the conversation very well.

Thanks Scotty, you're very kind.

P.s. Edinburgh, my favourite foreign city, big up!

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

nice!

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

and they had major issues in Japan too that summer....just what in the world is happening to Italy, goddamn it.....I've seen De Marchi look excellent at scrumtime before and even had him in my 6N xv some months ago I believe...this is shocking. Here, check this out, this was just a year before that test in Samoa:





I understand this is a different Samoan TH, but still.



I don't think that's correct at all...but Italy do struggle against Oceanic style Rugby and their athletic, fast attacking brand.

Italy do get away with a few there though. At one scrum the Italian 1 is clearly not binding correctly; pulling down on Samoa 3's jersey and later on, Italy shoving way waayy before the ball is in, one Italy are going inwards but all are Italian penalties. I suppose that happens witha dominant scrum; the ref just assumes your in the right like what happened between SA and Argentina earlier the year; Argentina clearly had the better scrum and milked it big time knowing they are getting away with illegalities so coming back at the scrum for SA. So much so Hansen even commented he'd make it a point to bring to the attention of their refs so it would not happen there.

 

[Hap]

Italy has still a strong scrum, but not strong as few years ago. This is mainly because:
1. Castro is getting older and at number one there's only De Marchi at good level while years ago we had great props like Lo Cicero and Perugini.
2. Italian rugby struggled to update to the new IRB rules about scrummaging. It was clear even last year watching Treviso and Zebre matches.

Our stronghold is not certain and safe as it was, but things are slowly getting better. This was one of the main reasons of the awful summer test match serie.

Hope Chistolini to become the new Castro, and waiting for Pasquali to answer yes to the Azzurri's call.

 

[Darwin]

ah yeah that makes sense....it just says 2010 New Zealand on his wiki
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fritz_Lee

What a fkng player. Most underrated no.8 in the world right now. Easily. Huuuge carrier, breaks almost every first tackle, strong runner, can make the meters, knows how to pass, powerful in the rucks, strong tackler, gets TO balls often....has played for Clermont regularly, one of the best Euro clubs in recent memory... superb, superb player.

It is good to see Lee is delivering on his potential in France (I heard good reports about his play almost immediately after he moved over). He obviously had talent while in NZ, but despite his powerful ball running skills his high error-rate and low work-rate meant he never established himself as a starter at Super Rugby level (though I felt he was worth persisting with).

also, how in the world have Samoa not picked Joe Tekori ?!! I've been watching him first hand at Toulouse for some time now, and he's an absolute MONSTER physically. Huge, tall but thick, pure power, long arms. He commits silly fouls, but he's one hell of a weapon both offensively and defensively...anyone have a clue why he wasn't picked ??

I'm surprised Tekori hasn't been picked either. I particularly like him as an impact player off the bench, especially with his ability to cover lock, 6, and 8. Perhaps it is just an indication of Samoa's depth in the loose-forwards - TJ Ioane didn't make the 23 either, nor did Ofisa Treviranus who has been a fixture in their 23 for the last few years.

I haven't seen much of Tusi Pisi lately, but I do feel he is one of the weaker links for Samoa. He's a big physical 10 these days who runs straight and hard, but seems to have completely lost the creativity he once possessed in his younger years. I feel Samoa's best option may be to use Fotuali'i at 10 (has he been playing there much recently?), as he would be the best option to unleash the backline. If they were going to do that they would need a quality 9, but neither Junior Polu or Jeremy Su'a are in the squad for some reason?

I'm hoping to see Alofa Alofa given a shot at test level soon too...

 

[psychic duck]

I haven't seen much of Tusi Pisi lately, but I do feel he is one of the weaker links for Samoa. He's a big physical 10 these days who runs straight and hard, but seems to have completely lost the creativity he once possessed in his younger years. I feel Samoa's best option may be to use Fotuali'i at 10 (has he been playing there much recently?), as he would be the best option to unleash the backline. If they were going to do that they would need a quality 9, but neither Junior Polu or Jeremy Su'a are in the squad for some reason?

Pisi has done decently for Samoa, created 3 of their tries when they routed Italy last year, just can be a bit erratic though especially with the boot. Don't think Fotuali'i at 10 is that good an option, he rarely ever starts there and the reserve scrum halves aren't anything to write home about, nor are the reserve fly halves and Pisi is the best they have. Really, Samoa's best option is to persuade Sopoaga to turn out for them but he keeps plugging on for the All Black dream. Also Tuala also been playing there a bit at 10 for Counties, but not seen any of their matches to know whether he offers a top class option.

 

[TheSaffycen]

Why is it that the pacific island nations rarely create a decent fly half ?

 

[Darwin]

Pisi has done decently for Samoa, created 3 of their tries when they routed Italy last year, just can be a bit erratic though especially with the boot. Don't think Fotuali'i at 10 is that good an option, he rarely ever starts there and the reserve scrum halves aren't anything to write home about, nor are the reserve fly halves and Pisi is the best they have. Really, Samoa's best option is to persuade Sopoaga to turn out for them but he keeps plugging on for the All Black dream. Also Tuala also been playing there a bit at 10 for Counties, but not seen any of their matches to know whether he offers a top class option.

Unless Fotuali'i is playing regular rugby at 10 I do agree they are probably better off playing him at 9. I suppose he can to some degree control the game from the 9 jersey.

Samoa's best option would definitely be to persuade Sopaoga to play for them - he would bring some really creativity to the backline, he controls the game quite well these days, and his goal-kicking is impressive now too (previously this was a big issue for him). They would just need to convince him he needs to make the odd tackle, as he's not a big fan of that.....

Tuala isn't a great option at 10. From what I saw from him at first-five Counties Manukau he looked like a wing/fullback playing at 10. He ran straight and hard (and quite effectively at times - he's big, strong and fast!), but you need a bit more than that from your 10. Michael Stanley showed some good signs for Counties this season in the 10 jersey though, so could develop into a good option in future.

 

[Mikel92]

@ The Saffycen: I think the Islanders thrive off hard running, side stepping, bruising tackles, and space. They make great blind sides, number 8's, centres and wingers. Fly half requires a more calculated and tactful approach - unselfish with the ball (Fekitoa, as good as he is - never passes. Ma'a Nonu's passing game has been developed, he never use to pass at all when he first started. Sivivatu, try scoring machine but beyond 'doing his thing', didn't do much for others.) excellent distribution, strategic kicking. Just doesn't fit in, generally speaking, with their mentality and flair.

 

[psychic duck]

Unless Fotuali'i is playing regular rugby at 10 I do agree they are probably better off playing him at 9. I suppose he can to some degree control the game from the 9 jersey.

Samoa's best option would definitely be to persuade Sopaoga to play for them - he would bring some really creativity to the backline, he controls the game quite well these days, and his goal-kicking is impressive now too (previously this was a big issue for him). They would just need to convince him he needs to make the odd tackle, as he's not a big fan of that.....

Tuala isn't a great option at 10. From what I saw from him at first-five Counties Manukau he looked like a wing/fullback playing at 10. He ran straight and hard (and quite effectively at times - he's big, strong and fast!), but you need a bit more than that from your 10. Michael Stanley showed some good signs for Counties this season in the 10 jersey though, so could develop into a good option in future.

Samoa have been trying with Sopoaga for quite some time now I think. I think he said he would play for them in 2019 if he didn't become an All Black or something, not sure of his AB chances though, he's a way down the pecking order.

 

[Darwin]

Samoa have been trying with Sopoaga for quite some time now I think. I think he said he would play for them in 2019 if he didn't become an All Black or something, not sure of his AB chances though, he's a way down the pecking order.

Yeah, Sopoaga is a fair way down the pecking order that the moment - 6th at best behind Carter, Cruden, Barrett, Slade, and Taylor - but he has shown some noticeable improvements in recent seasons. I assume he is simply waiting for the "Post-RWC exodus", but there are a number of talented young 10's coming through at age-grade level so he will still have plenty of competition even if a couple of the top guys leave. Honestly I would be surprised if he ever makes the AB's....

 

[Hap]

Would Samoa wait for Sopoaga until 2019?
Not even nice, from him, saying something like that...

Anyway, if he will ever be interested to come in Italy on holiday, just let us know some time before in order to prepare a 10 Azzurri shirt of the correct size...

 

[psychic duck]

Yeah, Sopoaga is a fair way down the pecking order that the moment - 6th at best behind Carter, Cruden, Barrett, Slade, and Taylor - but he has shown some noticeable improvements in recent seasons. I assume he is simply waiting for the "Post-RWC exodus", but there are a number of talented young 10's coming through at age-grade level so he will still have plenty of competition even if a couple of the top guys leave. Honestly I would be surprised if he ever makes the AB's....

At least from a NZ perspective he's showing more loyalty to his country than project player Bleyendaal.

 

[RWC2011Fan]

With Wales vs. Australia and England vs. NZ on right now, I wonder if anyone is watching this one.

Following the score in the background, but the November schedule is just so packed.

 

[LittleGuy]

Italy in comman but not game over yet, Parisse just had a try off of a brilliantly worked chip over the Samoan defence. 21-13 with fifteen to go.

Edit: Italian scrum causing Samoa fits, just won a penalty and are up 24-13 with only a few minutes left. Samoa need something special quickly as it looks to be over.