Possible Samoa 30 Man World Cup Squad ?

[bonafidehamo]

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.

The fact that Afa Aiono and David Lemi, who were not part of the Australia Samoa match, were sitting on the bench for that game shows that both are very close to being included.

Afa Aiono
Captain of Samoa Under-20 RWC
Winner of IRB Sevens World Series
Samoa EOYT 2010

He has some good credentials to his name. However, he does need to learn to control his aggression without the ball.

 

[bonafidehamo]

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??

I'll throw in my 2 sene.. these are the guys I think are a mainstay in the team that keep everything together and should always be starting.

Forwards:
Mahonri Schwalger
George Stowers

Backs:
Kahn Fotuali'i
Seilala Mapusua

Does anyone agree that George Stowers, despite the odd mistake, along with Schwalger is our most important forward?

ALSO, there was mention from the assistant coach that Samoa will not show everything against Australia.
Not sure if he was referring to tactical play and/or the inclusion of players like Henry Tuilagi or Alafoti Fa'osiliva perhaps?

 

[AfakasiAssasin]

I'll throw in my 2 sene.. these are the guys I think are a mainstay in the team that keep everything together and should always be starting.

Forwards:
Mahonri Schwalger
George Stowers

Backs:
Kahn Fotuali'i
Seilala Mapusua

Does anyone agree that George Stowers, despite the odd mistake, along with Schwalger is our most important forward?

ALSO, there was mention from the assistant coach that Samoa will not show everything against Australia.
Not sure if he was referring to tactical play and/or the inclusion of players like Henry Tuilagi or Alafoti Fa'osiliva perhaps?

I can agree with that. They are the ones who show leadership in their respective roles so in a sense yeah I guess you could be right. Although i wouldnt complain I will be stunned if Fa'osiliva makes the final squad. As I said he didnt get any gametime at all during the PNC so unless he gets time vs the Western Force and plays exceptionally well, he will fall victim to the depth we have in the loose trio.

 

[DJRonStar]

I'd have to disagree with you Bonafide. Schwalger does lead from the front but if he were to get injured Ti'i Paulo will slot in nicely and as a player will probably do a better job given the chance. As for Stowers, well he captained Samoa for a a couple of seasons and his leadership was a bit wayward sometimes and on field decisions weren't precise or accurate. As a player he is very much replaceable. Henry Tuilagi, Ofisa Travaranus, Taiasina Tuifua can cover 8. One thing I don't like about Stowers is that he is ill disciplined. You also got to look at guys like Johnson, Thompson and Tekori who have been there before. they are the experienced bunch and need to take leadership as well. In saying that he did have one of his best games in the Blue jersey against Australia. But to be fair, the whole team played well.

I think our starting props are more valuable than Schwalger and Stowers. Reason is that if either Taulafo or Perenise gets injured in the world cup I don't think we have the depth to cover these positions. Sure Johnson is a good player but if has to start a game then we could be in a bit of trouble for cover on the bench.

As for the backline I agree with Fotuali'i but think that Tusi Pisi will play a more vital role than Mapusua. He will be in charge of controlling the backline and along with fotuali'i I think they make a very good combination.

ALSO, there was mention from the assistant coach that Samoa will not show everything against Australia.

If that wasn't everything they showed then I'm one excited guy.

 

[Super Sub]

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.

Someone said Coventry wasn't part of the PNC, so the PNC game-time might not be that relevant. Afa didn't get much game-time in the previous games to the tour last year, but he ended up being the reserve backrower for all the big games.

Pat Lam needs to do his old team a favor , the Blues need some depth in the 8 and 6 positions.

I'll throw in my 2 sene.. these are the guys I think are a mainstay in the team that keep everything together and should always be starting.

Forwards:
Mahonri Schwalger
George Stowers

Backs:
Kahn Fotuali'i
Seilala Mapusua

Does anyone agree that George Stowers, despite the odd mistake, along with Schwalger is our most important forward?

ALSO, there was mention from the assistant coach that Samoa will not show everything against Australia.
Not sure if he was referring to tactical play and/or the inclusion of players like Henry Tuilagi or Alafoti Fa'osiliva perhaps?

I'm not sure if Stowers and Schwalger are the most important but they should definitely always be there. From the EOYT and the Wallabies match, Stowers has played better than any 8 that has worn the Samoan jersey since Sititi's heyday. His workrate is always good and he almost always gets over the advantage line. Seems like he's gotten better with age.

Schwalger was like an extra loose forward against the Wallabies, he was always near the ball and got through a tonne of work, plus his line-out throwing is good, which is probably why he trumps Paulo for the starting spot. Besides our reserve halfback, our bench is loaded.

The other two are no brainers, both are world class.

 

[Siva Tau]

Schwalger had the game of his life against the Wallabies but that sort of effort will be required back to back. The team as a whole will need to repeat that performance and more to beat Wales and SA. Fiji will also come back hard but I dont think there prep has been good for this World Cup. I just hope the boys dont discount any team in the group.

IMO Mapasua is the most important back because of his organisational ability and defence. I think Tuifua is the darkhorse in the forwards who can really show the way in breaking the advantage line. Watched him closely in ITM cup in a indifferent Counties team he has done some good things. Lavea on the other hand is at times diabolical. I'm starting to think Lavea may be a liability if he gets in squad.

 

[AfakasiAssasin]

The fact that Afa Aiono and David Lemi, who were not part of the Australia Samoa match, were sitting on the bench for that game shows that both are very close to being included.

Afa Aiono
Captain of Samoa Under-20 RWC
Winner of IRB Sevens World Series
Samoa EOYT 2010

He has some good credentials to his name. However, he does need to learn to control his aggression without the ball.

David Lemi will be in the final RWC squad. I can almost guarantee it. we will def take at least 3 wingers and he is at least in the top 3 behind Alesena Tuilagi and Sailosi Tagicakibau. Afa Aiono on the other hand, while those are some good credentials, as I said will find it hard to break into the final squad. If they are to take 5 at most 6 loose forwards he is going to have to leapfrog either Taiasina Tu'ifua, George Stowers, Maurie Fa'asavalu, Manaia Salevea, Ofisa Treviranus or Henry Tuilagi (if he is available) in order to make the squad which unfortunately, I just don't see happening. I will be happy if he proves me wrong and does make the final team, but IMO 2015 would be a more realistic debut at the RWC for him.

 

[Bail]

How is Samoa preparing the RWC ? Do they have friendly games ? If not, they should have invited Georgia.

 

[DJRonStar]

Hey Bail,

Manu Samoa have two friendly games against WesternForce (More like a Western Force development squad) starting next weekend. T

 

[AfakasiAssasin]

How is Samoa preparing the RWC ? Do they have friendly games ? If not, they should have invited Georgia.

Hey bail. as DJRonStar said we have two upcoming games vs the Western Force. In theory, yes i think it would be great to have a warm up game/s against Georgia. The problem for Samoa (and the other island nations) is I think Nations qualified for the RWC would be hesitant to play warm up games against them because of the high risk of injury which comes with playing the Islands and their style of rugby. I for one if I was in charge of organizing a country's RWC warm ups, though the competition would be great, would stay well clear of playing any of the Island nations unless I want a few players to be banged up and bruised or even lose a few players before the RWC has even started.

 

[Sam Owen]

How is Samoa preparing the RWC ?

We're prepared to win it

 

[bonafidehamo]

Fotuali'i and Thompson for Hawke's Bay showing some serious form.

Levi and Leota also featured in the ITM Cup.

All players are now getting ready for the last trials before the 30 man squad is named.

 

[AfakasiAssasin]

To me, these are the only players who I feel are shoe ins atm to make the squad if healthy.

Forwards
Sakaria Taulafo, Anthony Perenise, Cencus Johnston, Mahonri Schwalger, Ti'i Paulo, Kane Thompson, Iosefa Tekori, Taiasina Tuifua, George Stowers
Backs
Kahn Fotuali'i, Tusi Pisi, Seilala Mapasua, George Pisi, Alesana Tuilagi, Sailosi Tagicakibau, Paul Williams

Thats 16 players who i feel are almost guarrenteed to make the final 30 man RWC squad which leaves 14 spots still up for grabs.

 

[DJRonStar]

Fotuali'i and Thompson for Hawke's Bay showing some serious form.

Levi and Leota also featured in the ITM Cup.

All players are now getting ready for the last trials before the 30 man squad is named.

Schwalger and Pisi were in good form for Taranaki especially Schwalger who is playing some of the best rugby I have seen from him. He must of been watching Keven Mealamu because his pick and go for Taranaki in the ITM cup was awesome to watch. Great stuff boys. Hope they can carry on that form in to the World Cup.

 

[pervysage]

To me, these are the only players who I feel are shoe ins atm to make the squad if healthy.

Forwards
Sakaria Taulafo, Anthony Perenise, Cencus Johnston, Mahonri Schwalger, Ti'i Paulo, Kane Thompson, Iosefa Tekori, Taiasina Tuifua, George Stowers
Backs
Kahn Fotuali'i, Tusi Pisi, Seilala Mapasua, George Pisi, Alesana Tuilagi, Sailosi Tagicakibau, Paul Williams

Thats 16 players who i feel are almost guarrenteed to make the final 30 man RWC squad which leaves 14 spots still up for grabs.

other 14 players, my list

1-mulipola
2-Ole Avei
3-daniel leo
4-filipo levi
5-faasavalu
6-ofisa trevar
7-alafoti
8-manaia
9-junior polu
10-tasesa lavea
11-eliota sapolu
12-lemi
13-sooialo
14-j leota

4 props - taulafo, perenise, johnston, mulipola
3 hookers - mahonri, paulo, avei
4 locks - tekori, thompson, levi, leo
4 flankers - faasavalu, ofisa trevaranius, manaia, tuifua
2 #8 - stowers, alafoti
2 halfbacks - kahn, polu gaga
2 1st 5/8 - tusi, lavea
4 midfield/centers - george pisi, mapusua, eliota, johnny leota
3 wings - tuilagi, sailosi, lemi
2 full backs - paul, sooialo

hopefully im right hehe

 

[Siva Tau]

I think Lavea has been ordinary whilst the prop Mika for Tasman has potential.

 

[mosa62]

Le Manu Samoa


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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=-36.905360,174.655120

 

[AfakasiAssasin]

Le Manu Samoa


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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=-36.905360,174.655120

???

 

[DJRonStar]

Anyone know the team that Samoa are fielding for the game against Western Force??

 

[aucklander]

Does anyone know if Henry Tuilagi is trialling out for the manu samoa team?