Possible Samoa 30 Man World Cup Squad ?

[Siva Tau]

1st xv ----------------------2nd XV

1 S Taulafo--------------- C Johnston
2 M Schwalger----------- T Paulo
3 A Perenese------------- J Johnston
4 K Thompson------------ F Levi
5 J Tekori -----------------J Faamatuainu
6 T Tuifua ----------------D Leo
7 M Fa'asavalu----------- M Salavea
8 H Tuilagi--------------- G Stowers
9 K Fotuali'i-------------- J Polu
10 T Pisi------------------- T Lavea/F Fili - undecided
11 A Tuilagi--------------- D Lemi
12 S Mapasua------------ E Fuimaono-Sapolu
13 G Pisi -----------------A Tuilagi(Anitelea)
14 S Tagicakibau------- S Sinoti
15 P Williams------------ J So'oialo

Pretty solid 2nd XV too.

 

[bonafidehamo]

FORWARDS (16)
Props
Sakaria Taulafo
Anthony Perenise
Census Johnston
Simon Lemalu

Hookers
Mahonri Schwager
Ti'i Paulo

Locks
Kane Thompson
Daniel Leo
Joe Tekori
Filipo Levi

Loose forwards
Taiasina Tuifua
Maurie Fa'asavalu
Manaia Salavea
Ofisa Treviranus
George Stowers
Afa Aiono

BACKS (14)
Scrum-half
Kahn Fotuali'i
Brenton Helleur
Lualua Vailoloa

Fly-half
Tusi Pisi
Tasesa Lavea

Centre
Seilala Mapusua
George Pisi
Eliota Sapolu
Fautua Otto

Wing
Alesana Tuilagi
Sailosi Tagicakibau
David Lemi

Fullback
Paul Williams
James So'oialo

 

[aucklander]

[h=2]Possible Samoa 30 Man World Cup Squad ?[/h] 1st xv ----------------------2nd XV

1 S Taulafo--------------- C Johnston
2 M Schwalger----------- T Paulo
3 A Perenese------------- J Johnston
4 K Thompson------------ F Levi
5 J Tekori -----------------J Faamatuainu
6 T Tuifua ----------------D Leo
7 M Fa'asavalu----------- M Salavea
8 H Tuilagi--------------- G Stowers
9 K Fotuali'i-------------- J Polu
10 T Pisi------------------- T Lavea
11 A Tuilagi--------------- D Lemi
12 S Mapasua------------ E Fuimaono-Sapolu
13 G Pisi -----------------A Tuilagi(Anitelea)
14 S Tagicakibau------- J So'oialo
15 P Williams------------ Fa'atonu Fili

I am not sure if Henry Tuilagi is available this year. There is a lot of news going around about Henry Tuilagi retiring.

 

[AfakasiAssasin]

My 30 man Manu Samoa RWC squad of players available
Props
Sakaria Taulafo
Anthony Perenise
Census Johnston
Jame Johnston

Hookers
Mahonri Schwager (c)
Ti'i Paulo

Locks
Kane Thompson
Daniel Leo
Joe Tekori
Filipo Levi

Loose forwards
Taiasina Tuifua
Maurie Fa'asavalu
Manaia Salavea
Ofisa Treviranus
George Stowers
Henry Tuilagi (If unavailable Jonathan Faamatuainu)

Scrum-half
Kahn Fotuali'i
Lualua Vailoloa

Fly-half
Tusi Pisi
Tasesa Lavea
Fa'atonu Fili

Centre
Seilala Mapusua
George Pisi
Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu
Anitelia Tuilagi (if unavailable Johnny Leota)

Wing
Alesana Tuilagi
Sailosi Tagicakibau
David Lemi

Fullback
Paul Williams
James So'oialo

Unlucky to miss out (If i could include I would)
Ole Avei, Steve Fualau, Logovi'i Mulipola, Na'ama Leleimalefaga, Ray Ofisa, Ezra Taylor, Alafoti Faosiliva, Junior Poluleuligaga, Brenton Helleur, Uale Mai, Fautua Otto, Sinoti Sinoti, Gavin Williams

 

[DJRonStar]

Props
Sakaria Taulafo
Anthony Perenise
Census Johnston
Jame Johnston

Hookers
Mahonri Schwager (c)
Ti'i Paulo
Steve Fualau

Locks
Kane Thompson
Daniel Leo
Joe Tekori
Filipo Levi

Loose forwards
Taiasina Tuifua
Maurie Fa'asavalu
Manaia Salavea
George Stowers
Henry Tuilagi

Scrum-half
Kahn Fotuali'i
Lualua Vailoloa
Junior Polu

Fly-half
Tusi Pisi
Tasesa Lavea


Centre
Seilala Mapusua
George Pisi
Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu
Anitelia Tuilagi (if unavailable Johnny Leota)

Wing
Alesana Tuilagi
Sailosi Tagicakibau
David Lemi

Fullback
Paul Williams
James So'oialo

 

[bonafidehamo]

Junior Polu is past his best for international rugby. He loses focus at crucial times which is often crucial, unlike Kahn who is always on alert.

I guess Henry Tuilagi won't be included. George Stowers is definitely the better all-round player and we have a huge pool to pick from at 8 if he goes down. In fact every lock and flanker can play #8.

Afakasi, if you bring 3 fly-halves and two halfbacks including Kahn we will be in effect taking 4 fly halves.

---

 

[DJRonStar]

I'd rather have the experience of Junior Polu backing up to Kahn Fotuali'i than the inexperienced Helleur. Vailoaloa will be my 3rd halfback.

Not sure why you guys chose only two hookers in the squad. They will defintately be taking 3 hookers. Will come down to Fualau and Avei. I chose Fualau because he's been getting consistent game time for Canterbury in the ITM cup after a injury spell. I think they will only take 5 loose forwards - Manaia Salavea, Maurie Fa'asavalu, George Stowers, Taiasina Tuifua & Henry Tuilagi (Ofisa Travaranus if Henry Tuilagi is unavailable). All four locks Kane Thompson, Filipo Levi, Daniel Leo & Jo Tekori and cover number 6 or 8.

Rumours on different sites that Henry has retired. Need 100% true facts rather than gossip on chat forums.

 

[AfakasiAssasin]

Junior Polu is past his best for international rugby. He loses focus at crucial times which is often crucial, unlike Kahn who is always on alert.

I guess Henry Tuilagi won't be included. George Stowers is definitely the better all-round player and we have a huge pool to pick from at 8 if he goes down. In fact every lock and flanker can play #8.

Afakasi, if you bring 3 fly-halves and two halfbacks including Kahn we will be in effect taking 4 fly halves.

---

Id take Kahn Fotuali'i as a specialist scrumhalf only although I am aware he can play first five as he has done at ITM cup level. My specialist fly halves would be Tusi Pisi, Tasesa Lavea and Fa'atonu Fili. Fili I would include as a player they could gamble on say if they already qualified for the quarters by the time they meet South Africa I would throw him in there see what he could do against a big gun on the biggest stage as he is an X factor style of player as Ive discussed before. He can also cover wing which is why i only chose three wingers as well as Fullback so he could be affective coming off the bench. That is the reason i included him as part of the three Fly halves in the team as I didnt want to leave Tusi Pisi or Tasesa Lavea out of the team.

I think they will only take 5 loose forwards - Manaia Salavea, Maurie Fa'asavalu, George Stowers, Taiasina Tuifua & Henry Tuilagi (Ofisa Travaranus if Henry Tuilagi is unavailable). All four locks Kane Thompson, Filipo Levi, Daniel Leo & Jo Tekori and cover number 6 or 8.

Rumours on different sites that Henry has retired. Need 100% true facts rather than gossip on chat forums.

Ofisa Treviranus DESERVES to go! If he doesnt get picked it would be a grave injustice to his form he has shown during last years EOYT and this years PNC game vs Tonga. Everyone of those games he was, if not close to, Samoas man of the match which is particularly impressive considering Samoas opposition during the EOYT (England Ireland and Scotland) and that he was one of if not the only payer in the starting line-ups without a profesional club. I think it's a travesty the guy has yet to find a professional club as he is to me SAMOAS hottest free agent prospect who is clubless at the moment and would be an even bigger one if he misses out on a spot in the final RWC squad.
On the subject of Henry Tuilagi, I have a facebook friend I meet on one of the Manu Samoa pages who 'claims to be' first cousin with the Tuilagis. He says his mum asked Alesana about henry and he said he was nursing an injury after the top 14 season and that he will be in Samoa soon to link up with the team beofre they select the final squad. Again I cant confirm what he is telling me is the truth but if it is then it would be great to see Henry Tuilagi back in the team to cause havoc alongside Taiasin Tu'ifua in the loose forwards. If it is false and he is indeed unavailable and/or retired we have plenty of depth there to cover.

 

[DJRonStar]

Malo Afakasi - Thanks for the input on Henry Tuilagi. If he is available then it will be a nice headache to have as a selector to choose loose forwards. I don't think they will take any more than five loose forwards as I stated before all four locks can cover the back row. It will come down to Salvea, Fa'asavalu & Travaranus. Stowers had a great game against the Wallabies to justify his place and Tuifua is a monster and will be in the Manu squad for a while.

 

[AfakasiAssasin]

With Henry allegedly now back in the fold this is what our Loose forward stock looks like ATM

Henry Tuilagi, George Stowers, Taiasina Tu'ifua, Ezra Taylor, Alafoti Fa'osiliva, Ofisa Treviranus, Ray Ofisa, Manaia Salevea, Maurie Fa'asavalu, Jonny Fa'amatuinau, Afa Aiono

Of the players listed probably 6 maximum of 7 will be chosen in the final RWC 30 man squad which means about 5 of these players will miss the cut. I like all the players listed and theres not one I would single out and say he doesnt deserve to be there. But IMO the only guaranteed players to make the final RWC squad are Henry Tuilagi (if he is as you say available), Taiasina Tu'ifua (going by his recent form theres no way he should miss the cut) and maybe George Stowers (his experience he brings to the side). The rest of the spots are up for grabs but I think Maurie Fa'asavalu, Manaia Salevea and Ofisa Treviranus should probably round up the other spots available. I do like the others (Ezra Taylor, Alafoti Fa'osiliva, Ray Ofisa, Jonny Fa'amatuinau, Afa Aiono) too and I would be happy to see any of them in the final squad, but as I said with the competition being soo tight and only limited spots they will have to fight for their spot. Any of these players must play exceptionally well in the two games vs the Western Force if they are given the oppurtunity for any of the others to have a chance I think.

 

[DJRonStar]

I forgot about Afa Aiono. Wish to see him get more game time because I think he is a real terrier of a number 7. Not big in stature but in the mould of George Smith, Pocock....

When do they name Manu Samoa world cup squad? Congratulations to Tuifua for picking up a contract with Newcastle. Would have been great to see him stay for another super rugby season as he was just working himself in but I guess you go where the money is.

My final pick for loose forwards;

Maurie Fa'asavalu
Manaia Salavea
Taiasina Tuifua Can cover lock if needed)
George Stowers
Henry Tuilagi (Ofisa Travaranus if Tuilagi unavailable)

 

[Super Sub]

I'd rather have the experience of Junior Polu backing up to Kahn Fotuali'i than the inexperienced Helleur. Vailoaloa will be my 3rd halfback.

Not sure why you guys chose only two hookers in the squad. They will defintately be taking 3 hookers. Will come down to Fualau and Avei. I chose Fualau because he's been getting consistent game time for Canterbury in the ITM cup after a injury spell. I think they will only take 5 loose forwards - Manaia Salavea, Maurie Fa'asavalu, George Stowers, Taiasina Tuifua & Henry Tuilagi (Ofisa Travaranus if Henry Tuilagi is unavailable). All four locks Kane Thompson, Filipo Levi, Daniel Leo & Jo Tekori and cover number 6 or 8.

Rumours on different sites that Henry has retired. Need 100% true facts rather than gossip on chat forums.

Yup, they'll definitely take 3 hookers, it'll be dumb not to, if one gets injured, we might get into a sticky situation like we did against Connatch when Lemalu had to play hooker - his line-out throwing had to be the worst I've ever seen. Fualau should definitely get that third hooker spot.

I'm not too keen on Tuilagi as many of you guys are. He just doesn't have the workrate we need to follow through with the style we play now - he's basically just a runner, but you can count the rucks he hits and the tackles he makes on one hand - the backrowers we have are all-rounders and that's what makes our backrow so good and dominate. When you have someone like Henry in the team, it means someone else has to pick up some of his slack and that means someone is going to get tired before they should; if everyone is sharing the workload, then we won't have guys dying in the last 10 - 20 minutes like past years. Graham Henry said, ''you can't afford not to have workrate at this level(test)'', and that goes double for backrowers. I wouldn't mind him as a bench option but not before someone like Treviranus.

 

[AfakasiAssasin]

Yup, they'll definitely take 3 hookers, it'll be dumb not to, if one gets injured, we might get into a sticky situation like we did against Connatch when Lemalu had to play hooker - his line-out throwing had to be the worst I've ever seen. Fualau should definitely get that third hooker spot.

I'm not too keen on Tuilagi as many of you guys are. He just doesn't have the workrate we need to follow through with the style we play now - he's basically just a runner, and you can count the rucks he hits and the tackles he makes on one hand - the backrowers we have are all-rounders and that's what makes our backrow so good and dominate. When you have someone like Henry in the team, it means someone else has to pick up some of his slack and that means someone is going to get tired before they should; if everyone is sharing the workload, then we won't have guys dying in the last 10 - 20 minutes like past years. Graham Henry said, ''you can't afford not to have workrate at this level(test)'', and that goes double for backrowers. I wouldn't mind him as a bench option but not before someone like Treviranus.

I think players can be brought into the squad if players are ruled out during the course of the tournemant as that is what happened during the 2007 RWC. If that is the case than I think 2 will be sufficient to start with with either Steve Fualau or Ole Avei brought into the squad if Mahonri Schwalger or Ti'i Paulo goes down.

I agree that Tuilagis workrate over the course of 80mins is not as good as Treviranus, but he is a huge impact player and has been in great form playing at number 8 in the top 14 and heineken cup. Im pretty sure if he is available that he will be there. As I have stated I am a huge supporter of Ofisa Treviranus and I def think he deserves to go. If they only take 5 loose forwards and if Taiasina Tu'ifua, Henry Tuilagi (if he is available) and George Stowers are almost locked in to go that leaves 2 spots. I think Maurie Fa'asuvalu, Manaia Salevea and Ofisa Treviranus are the front runners of the rest of the bunch. Of the the three if I could only take two more I'd have Maurie Fa'asuvalu and Ofisa Treviranus before I'd have Manaia Salevea. Not a knock on Salevea, but Ofisa Treviranus I cannot stress much more on how highly I rate him with his workrate over the course of 80mins and his form during last years EOYT against world class opposition and during the PNC match vs Tonga. Maurie Fa'asuvalu is starting to find his feet again at international level going by his performance vs the Wallabies and was in great form for his club Harlequins during the Amlin challenge cup so he gets a nod from me to play at either blinside or openside.

 

[Darwin]

I think players can be brought into the squad if players are ruled out during the course of the tournemant as that is what happened during the 2007 RWC. If that is the case than I think 2 will be sufficient to start with with either Steve Fualau or Ole Avei brought into the squad if Mahonri Schwalger or Ti'i Paulo goes down.

I agree that Tuilagis workrate over the course of 80mins is not as good as Treviranus, but he is a huge impact player and has been in great form playing at number 8 in the top 14 and heineken cup. Im pretty sure if he is available that he will be there. As I have stated I am a huge supporter of Ofisa Treviranus and I def think he deserves to go. If they only take 5 loose forwards and if Taiasina Tu'ifua, Henry Tuilagi (if he is available) and George Stowers are almost locked in to go that leaves 2 spots. I think Maurie Fa'asuvalu, Manaia Salevea and Ofisa Treviranus are the front runners of the rest of the bunch. Of the the three if I could only take two more I'd have Maurie Fa'asuvalu and Ofisa Treviranus before I'd have Manaia Salevea. Not a knock on Salevea, but Ofisa Treviranus I cannot emplore much more on how much i rate him with his workrate over the course of 80mins and his form during last years EOYT against world class opposition and during the PNC match vs Tonga. Maurie Fa'asuvalu is starting to find his feet again at international level going by his performance vs the Wallabies and was in great form for his club Harlequins during the Amlin challenge cup so he gets a nod from me to play at either blinside or openside.

Yep, players can be replaced if they are ruled out with injury, however there is a 48-hour stand-down period before a new player can be brought into the squad. So if a team only takes 2 hookers, and one gets injured the day before the match, they will be forced to go into the match with no hooker cover on the bench. It is unlikely to happen, but most teams tend to take 3 hookers just in case.

 

[Super Sub]

I think players can be brought into the squad if players are ruled out during the course of the tournemant as that is what happened during the 2007 RWC. If that is the case than I think 2 will be sufficient to start with with either Steve Fualau or Ole Avei brought into the squad if Mahonri Schwalger or Ti'i Paulo goes down.

I agree that Tuilagis workrate over the course of 80mins is not as good as Treviranus, but he is a huge impact player and has been in great form playing at number 8 in the top 14 and heineken cup. Im pretty sure if he is available that he will be there. As I have stated I am a huge supporter of Ofisa Treviranus and I def think he deserves to go. If they only take 5 loose forwards and if Taiasina Tu'ifua, Henry Tuilagi (if he is available) and George Stowers are almost locked in to go that leaves 2 spots. I think Maurie Fa'asuvalu, Manaia Salevea and Ofisa Treviranus are the front runners of the rest of the bunch. Of the the three if I could only take two more I'd have Maurie Fa'asuvalu and Ofisa Treviranus before I'd have Manaia Salevea. Not a knock on Salevea, but Ofisa Treviranus I cannot emplore much more on how much i rate him with his workrate over the course of 80mins and his form during last years EOYT against world class opposition and during the PNC match vs Tonga. Maurie Fa'asuvalu is starting to find his feet again at international level going by his performance vs the Wallabies and was in great form for his club Harlequins during the Amlin challenge cup so he gets a nod from me to play at either blinside or openside.

Darwin said it all regarding the replacements being brought in for the World Cup. We have two games with short turnarounds, so it's better to take 3 hookers than 2.

Henry's workrate is not even that good in 50 minutes of play - besides the runs, he doesn't do much else, that's why I think at best, he's just a bench option. I've always liked a backrow of balance, it just seems Henry would tip the balance for me. Our team does a lot of defending and like to put a lot of pressure at the breakdown, I just can't see any significant contribution by Henry in these areas.

I can pretty much see Stowers, Tuifua, Treviranus and Salavea getting backrow spots; these 4 have proven themselves against the top teams in recent times, so I can't see any of them missing out. I won't mind whoever they pick after that but I'd personally be leaning towards Aiono as he seems to suit the gameplan we play and can cover all 3 backrow positions.

 

[kovana]

"Henry Tuilagi, George Stowers, Taiasina Tu'ifua, Ezra Taylor, Alafoti Fa'osiliva, Ofisa Treviranus, Ray Ofisa, Manaia Salevea, Maurie Fa'asavalu, Jonny Fa'amatuinau, Afa Aiono"

If i had to choose 5 from the above selection.. i would go for

- Henry Tuilagi, Ofisa Treviranus, Alafoti Faosiliva, Manaia Salavea and Taiasina.

 

[AfakasiAssasin]

I can pretty much see Stowers, Tuifua, Treviranus and Salavea getting backrow spots; these 4 have proven themselves against the top teams in recent times, so I can't see any of them missing out. I won't mind whoever they pick after that but I'd personally be leaning towards Aiono as he seems to suit the gameplan we play and can cover all 3 backrow positions.

It's good to see that others think highly of Afa Aiono and Ofisa Treviranus as I do. Ofisa has a real shot IMO of making the cut whereas Afa Aiono will probably be a victim to the depth we have at loose forward as evidenced by him only getting a bench spot once during the Pacific Nations Cup Vs Tonga (although he played very well coming off the bench). He is another who I think deserves to be at a professional club as he is still relatively young (24) and he has huge potential to grow if a club can invest in him. I think we'll see him probably at the 2015 rugby world cup as well as maybe Alafoti Faosiliva who will be another who I think will miss out due to the depth. He didn't even get any game time during the PNC which I fell was very unfortunate.

 

[Siva Tau]

"Henry Tuilagi, George Stowers, Taiasina Tu'ifua, Ezra Taylor, Alafoti Fa'osiliva, Ofisa Treviranus, Ray Ofisa, Manaia Salevea, Maurie Fa'asavalu, Jonny Fa'amatuinau, Afa Aiono"

If i had to choose 5 from the above selection.. i would go for

- Henry Tuilagi, Ofisa Treviranus, Alafoti Faosiliva, Manaia Salavea and Taiasina.

Realistically the guys who won against Oz are in.

 

[kovana]

I know.. Lol..

It would probably be Taiasina, George and faasavalu... with Henry (if still playing) and hopefully ofisa.. Perhaps we could have 6 loosies.. That way we can also have Salavea there as well.

 

[DJRonStar]

I think most teams are going with 4 props, 3 hookers, 4 locks and 5 loose forwards. Samoa will more than likely do the same. Just lucky that any of the four locks - Tekori, Levi, Thompson and Leo can play 6 or 8. Therefore Samoa will only be taking 5 loose forwards. Who knows the selectors might think otherwise and throw in a bolter. Would love to see a back row of Tuifua, Fa'asavalu & Tuilagi match up against South Africa and Wales. They both have big back rows and love the confrontational stuff.

Well done to Manu Tuilagi. Scored a nice try for England against Wales and did you see the smile on Martin Johnson's face!! Could be four Tuilagi's playing in the world cup. I wonder if that would be a record. Darwin mate, what's the most brothers playing in one world cup??