June Internationals: Samoa VS Italy (15/06/2013)

[Big Ewis]

Saturday, 15 June 2013
14:15 SAST (UTC+02)

Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit

Ref: Craig Joubert




​

A fascinating matchup for me. Definitely the more interesting one of the two this Saturday in SA. Italy on a low note, looking for redemption against a Samoan squad on a high note, looking to completely erase all memories of their confrontation against the Safa Lions.

Rugby wise, Italy with their scrum, Samoa with their ultra-athletic play.
If Italy can find that 6N form this time around; move the ball quickly, forwards clinical play, make their drops and find good accuracy for penalties; they'll have the scrum advantage, though Samoa has come a long way in that domain, and can match the Pacific Islanders' physicality, as they have against Tonga this past November.
Italy has also shown they can SERIOUSLY defend. But I don't think they can hold Samoa try-less the whole 80 minutes.

The way I see it, Samoa has a tremendous running start, and set the tone early, as against Scotland; and Italy are subjected to the opposition's rhythm, start rusty and a bit stunned, as against SA.
But then Italy reacts, their qualities start showing, and we've got a tight game.

This easily could go Samoa's way, as they never falter when focused. They'll apparently either really want to conquer, or completely give up. This isn't a matchup they'll be willing to "give up", they'll show up no doubt, and look really threatening and physical.
But I'm gonna go with Italy by 6.

 

[Big Ewis]

(not a double post).
...OK, so nobody gives a fk about this match !!

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

If it were in Cape Town I would have pitched for this 'curtain raiser' but the general SA public don't know much about Samoa and Italy (ITO rugby) other than that we play and by default beat Italy now and then on a tired EoYT and somehow always get the 'dirty Samao' in RWCs.

Me personally am somewhat interested in this game but I have to concede that the main element is that I want Samao to win so that SA can play them on home soil and that our newbies get a chance to experience the match-up prior to RWC2015.

 

[Big Ewis]

yeh, surely SAFA folks know more about Samoa than Italy...
Oh well, it'll take Italy beating a Sanzar nation, notably SA, for the world to finally notice them I suppose, despite their latest tremendous improvements...
I'm very impatient for this one.

 

[Amobokoboko]

Im a bit afraid the Samoans will overpower Italy.

 

[Big Ewis]

Im a bit afraid the Samoans will overpower Italy.

Italy's coming off a bad showing. They're like France a bit now, and can bounce right back.

If they can play the kind of defense they did against France/England/Australia and to some extent NZ for a very good period the last time they faced those sides, they can definitely shut down Samoa to just a try or two; despite the good form the latter are in.
And if Orquera can be a good maestro the way he can on occasion, Italy actually have some fine attack; but it's stringing a full play together, all the way past the line, that may be a challenge here.

And hopefully, their scrum pushes strong, and they can collect some good points and make Samoa pay each time with their boot.

Samoa will likely be under pressure and there's a good chance they lose their cool and commit silly fouls, and possibly even their morale.

 

[j'nuh]

I move: if Samoa win, they should be moved into tier one.

 

[Big Ewis]

^ well they ARE Tier 1. It's just organizations like the IRB are never flexible enough to make good, specific decisions about anything in this sort of matter. Tier 1 is just 4N and 6N...period. Not bothered to look at the actual dynamics in the rugby world.

Samoa are OBVIOUSLY good enough to beat a number of those 10 nations. In fact, they didn't have any difficulty winning in Cardiff in Nov., blowing out Canada in Canada like they were a strong Tier 1 nation, and then easily took care of Scotland last week. AND a close one in France too a few months back...

And they're not consistently punching above their weight. No. This is their standard form now, that's what they can naturally accomplish.
And Samoa beating Italy: no one, but I mean no one - would see this as an upset right now. In fact, I think a majority of ppl would be surprised to see Italy win, and some would call *that* an upset....Italy beating Samoa.

 

[AfakasiAssasin]

Hey Guys...been a while since I posted here.
Based on performance, for now, Samoa could be considered tier 1. However based on Infastructure, we are far from it. Unless we can consistantly get someone to bankroll/sponsor us and get the right people at the top running the SRU...the lack of fundage and organization will always hinder the Manu Samoa in becoming the true tier 1 powerhouse that it has the potential to be.

As for the game, Italys world class forward pack, set piece and improved play of late is not to be underestimated under any circumstance. They def have the potential to beat us as evidenced with the last encounter in 2009 and has the power upfront to do it.

However this Samoan outfit (apart from lions game) has been WHITE HOT of late and is a far greater outfit then the last time these two teams faced. We have the firepower in the backline to put them to bed if we play an expansive game. If Samoa can compete up front and in the set piece, keep their discipline, put on the big hits (hit em hard but fair and fluster them), utilize the back line and play cohesively on the day...the Manu should be able to walk away with this one.

 

[big ginger 8]

Decent game so far, Lam has been brilliant at the breakdown.

 

[Big Ewis]

damn it Italy !!....come on guy...

 

[RWC2011Fan]

18-3 right now. Will see how everything turns out tomorrow. Off to bed now, but I think it's probably going to be South Africa vs. Samoa and Scotland vs. Italy at Loftus next week.

 

[Big Ewis]

my, my....what a beautiful day for NH rugby. US loses to Tonga, France beaten badly by NZ. We've got Samoa running RAMPANT all over Italy here, and even fkn Japan beat Wales....easily.
Now, we just need SA to put 80 on Scotland, and the recipe's complete...

 

[aucklander]

What a performance by the Manu Samoa. Can't wait for the Boks game.

 

[Big Ewis]

Parisse just pushing the guy off...frustration....very disappointing for Italy...but I'm confident they'll make good improvement as time passes...

Yes, I think a lot of ppl will be eagerly waiting for the Boks Samoa Final. No doubt on my mind SA wins, but I'd like to see exactly how and the score 80 min later.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Tuned in at halftime, really enjoyed what I've seen - great to see Sale's very own Johnny Leota getting a try

These Samoan players are absolute units! You get Italian forwards running at the defence at full pace and don't even make an inch - they just get crushed.

 

[aucklander]

I love it Samoa. Upset on the cards next week.. Cheeee huuuuuu

 

[Big Ewis]

I love it Samoa. Upset on the cards next week.. Cheeee huuuuuu

errr yeh sure, wtvr.

This match still won't put Samoa on the map as much as it will take Italy off it even further. After a very solid November, and an excellent 6N in parts; they're right down to taking 40 and not scoring a single try (except with their scrum), and ppl still won't respect them. They've got to beat England next year or smt, or pull off an amazing November Tour in a few months...

 

[aucklander]

Great effort by the full 22, It's going to be a tough game next week against our SA Brothers. Samoa by 8.

Definitely a tier 1 nation.

 

[ozmanoshe]

Malo lava boys, but can anyone tell me why Samoa has to 'qualify' to play South Africa, whereas the 2 teams we just beat get to play them by default. It really sucks to be the small fish in the ocean as no doubt that scheduling was done; not based on the quality of the teams, but the size of the potential televised audience (no matter what the official line is).

@afakasi - SRU just got a 1million tala cash injection from Sifa and Bluesky, but apparently they need at least 6mil tala (about 2.5mil USD)a year to keep the international squads going.

I don't think half of the posters here appreciate the achievement of the Samoan team matching and beating some of the top professional teams in the world when our supporting infrastructure is barely better than that which was available in the amateur era.

On a final note once again I'm appalled by the SAF commentators for our games, they approach the match with such apathy and stereotyping, the Samoa Rugby Union should demand a Samoan commentator be installed as a counterpart for these matches so we don't have to listen to the drivel they dish out. I'm sure it will be even worse when we face the SAF next week