All Blacks to play Samoa in Apia, July 2015?

[RWC2011Fan]

So it looks like this is happening now...
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11287930
That was...sooner than expected.

 

[Sam Owen]

Well I hope so but its still not deadset. Steve Tew still saying the same thing he was saying earlier.

I like what former All Black and former NZRFU chairman Bryan Williams was saying and that was it shouldnt be about money.

 

[nickdnz]

Well I hope so but its still not deadset. Steve Tew still saying the same thing he was saying earlier.

I like what former All Black and former NZRFU chairman Bryan Williams was saying and that was it shouldnt be about money.

Which is easy to say when you are not responsible for the money, and a former player/coach of Samoa.

 

[RWC2011Fan]

Probably should've just posted this in the already existing ' #ABstoSamoa- Campbell Live' thread. Woops, my bad. Ah well, anyway...

http://www.3news.co.nz/All-Blacks-S...irmed/tabid/415/articleID/351551/Default.aspx

False alarm, folks. Sorry about that.

 

[Sam Owen]

Which is easy to say when you are not responsible for the money, and a former player/coach of Samoa.

Former All Black was Bryan Williams and one of the great All Blacks too. Real nice, modest, confidence boosting type man.

He was the first of the robust island wingers. He produced a great try for the All Blacks many moons ago, I can barely remember it now. Have to dig it out of my dads vast video collection of old school rugby. My father taped nearly every All Black game or acquired it from his connections and we only had one TV and a VHS player so I grew up most of my life watching either old school Rugby or the Rugby at that time and I can tell you now that Bryan Williams stood out for me. Not because he was Samoan but the way he played, so strong. I think it was him and Stu Wilson on the wings and those 2 help shape the ABs to what is now. Great player was Williams.

 

[The Jones Boy]

Bryan Williams was around before Stu Wilson.
Stu Wilsons wing partner was Bernie Fraser, a Fijian born All Black, together they were known as Ebony and Ivory.
Bryan Williams is an old school All Black legend.
The first ever powerhouse winger, a man before his time. The springboks spoke about how hard he was to tackle and bring down.
A legend of the All Blacks, New Zealand and his beloved Samoa, and a gentleman.

 

[nickdnz]

Former All Black was Bryan Williams and one of the great All Blacks too. Real nice, modest, confidence boosting type man.

He was the first of the robust island wingers. He produced a great try for the All Blacks many moons ago, I can barely remember it now. Have to dig it out of my dads vast video collection of old school rugby. My father taped nearly every All Black game or acquired it from his connections and we only had one TV and a VHS player so I grew up most of my life watching either old school Rugby or the Rugby at that time and I can tell you now that Bryan Williams stood out for me. Not because he was Samoan but the way he played, so strong. I think it was him and Stu Wilson on the wings and those 2 help shape the ABs to what is now. Great player was Williams.

I wasn't criticizing him as a person or a player. He's a legendary rugby player and probably a lovely guy. That doesn't change my point at all.

 

[Sam Owen]

Bryan Williams was around before Stu Wilson.
Stu Wilsons wing partner was Bernie Fraser, a Fijian born All Black, together they were known as Ebony and Ivory.
Bryan Williams is an old school All Black legend.
The first ever powerhouse winger, a man before his time. The springboks spoke about how hard he was to tackle and bring down.
A legend of the All Blacks, New Zealand and his beloved Samoa, and a gentleman.

I stand corrected, happily. I think the last time I saw those videos was late 1980s to 1990. Its been so long but I remember enjoying good Rugby from those 2 wingers and how could I forget Bernie Fraser. I think Wilson and Fraser were both Wellingtonians but Im not positive and I cant be stuffed going to google to confirm.

I didnt even know Bryan Williams was a Samoan till my dad told me years later. I think he mightve been the first P.I to play for them.

Now Ill mark you down as a poster who knows Rugby. Cheers brother.

I wasn't criticizing him as a person or a player. He's a legendary rugby player and probably a lovely guy. That doesn't change my point at all.

I understand youre point. You did not criticize him. I was just quietly reminding people of the pioneers of the All Black rugby you see today.

 

[Feicarsinn]

But what will Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu ***** about now?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

But what will Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu ***** about now?

When's the last time the IRB allowed Samoa to win the RWC?

 

[Feicarsinn]

When's the last time the IRB allowed Samoa to win the RWC?

Heh. He's kinda like one of those 14 year old girls on tumblr. Except substitute the IRB for the patriarchy.

 

[FlukeArtist]

Heh. He's kinda like one of those 14 year old girls on tumblr. Except substitute the IRB for the patriarchy.

The fact that Fuimaono-Sapolu is more famous for his tweets/bleats than his rugby prowess says it all.

 

[FlukeArtist]

Which is easy to say when you are not responsible for the money, and a former player/coach of Samoa.

Exactly mate.
When all those Kiwis that have campaigned for this game complain about the NZRFU posting a loss, or losing a top player overseas due to being unable to provide some sort of pay parity with European clubs, I will remind them of this decision.

I'm not against the ABs playing in Samoa, but some of the BS that was thrown around by idiots like Fuimaono-Sapolu and even some on this site was pathetic.
You would think the NZ owes Samoa for it's existence by the way those morons carried on.

 

[Sam Owen]

Exactly mate.
When all those Kiwis that have campaigned for this game complain about the NZRFU posting a loss, or losing a top player overseas due to being unable to provide some sort of pay parity with European clubs, I will remind them of this decision.

I'm not against the ABs playing in Samoa, but some of the BS that was thrown around by idiots like Fuimaono-Sapolu and even some on this site was pathetic.
You would think the NZ owes Samoa for it's existence by the way those morons carried on.

Us Samoans are not idiots or morons mate because when you watch the news and you look at whos asking the ABs to come over for a game, its Samoans. You might think Im tryin to speak on behalf of all the Samoans but when you watch the news were all asking for the same thing.

Just becareful of what your saying ok flukey..

And its not exact, Bryan Williams played for NZ not Samoa.

 

[Sam Owen]

But what will Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu ***** about now?

The reff?..Nigel Owens. The IRB? The only guy who does that.

 

[William18]

Us Samoans are not idiots or morons mate because when you watch the news and you look at whos asking the ABs to come over for a game, its Samoans. You might think Im tryin to speak on behalf of all the Samoans but when you watch the news were all asking for the same thing.

Just becareful of what your saying ok flukey..

And its not exact, Bryan Williams played for NZ not Samoa.

We know Samoans would love the All Blacks to come play there. No one is disputing that, least of all Fluke artist. I can guarantee you that any rugby community from any country would love to play the All Blacks so I don't see how that point is even relevant.

If we are going to play in Samoa then it shouldn't be because the people of Samoa wants it or because Bryan Williams is of Samoan descent, used to play for the All Blacks and he wants it. We should do it because it benefits us in some way. Now the NZRU are telling us that they need to play a game before the 20115 Rugby Championship and that this would be a good warm-up for the team. I'm willing to go along with that rationale.

 

[Sam Owen]

I know what you're sayin but whats one game? Surely they can fund that. Im beginning to think maybe we should pay the ABs, we probably wont cough up much but at least we get them over there. We most likely have to pay some expenses but might have to increase it.

On another note, id like to see an All Black B side play us. I dont think we stand a chance against the top side but a B side could see us beat the ABs for the first time ever! That'll be enjoyable for every rugby fan outside of NZ.

 

[nickdnz]

If we are going to play in Samoa then it shouldn't be because the people of Samoa wants it or because Bryan Williams is of Samoan descent, used to play for the All Blacks and he wants it. We should do it because it benefits us in some way. Now the NZRU are telling us that they need to play a game before the 20115 Rugby Championship and that this would be a good warm-up for the team. I'm willing to go along with that rationale.

Haha, the NZRU are certainly shrewd to give themselves 18,000 or so years before they commit to a game!

On another note, id like to see an All Black B side play us. I dont think we stand a chance against the top side but a B side could see us beat the ABs for the first time ever! That'll be enjoyable for every rugby fan outside of NZ.

Well it would give them a better to chance I guess. But based on ever PNC NZ 'A' entered, I'm not sure it would help. I assume the schedual of this would be just after the PNC - so it would at least give Samoa some time to warm up.

 

[Feicarsinn]

How much would it cost the All Blacks? Quite a bit I'd imagine. The All Blacks get a **** tonne of money for playing the NH sides, for example 1.5 million sterling back in 2012 when they played in Twickenham (Source: http://www.therugbypaper.co.uk/featured-post/4638/all-blacks-get-1-5m-fee-to-face-england/)

Would they make anywhere near that out of a game in Samoa? Hardly likely. Considering how much New Zealand has to fight to keep its players at home these days, that sort of money can make a tangible difference.

 

[welshglory]

The money argument is so disgusting. I realise it's a necessity for unions whom have a top down model but that doesn't mean its ok or alight.

If the IRB and/or Samoa could offset the costs so that they don't lose money, then there is no excuse imo. Samoa of all t2 nations deserve to play against all top nations home and away.

International should surely be about whether you're good enough, not if you can bring the dosh. How is this any better than some of the evil private owned clubs some of you demonize.

This is probably just a one off anyway...