Possible Samoa 30 Man World Cup Squad ?

[bonafidehamo]

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

1. Sakaria Taulafo
2. Ti'i Paulo
3. Census Johnston
4. Daniel Leo
5. Jonathan Fa'amatuainu
6. Alafoti Faosiliva
7. Manaia Salave’a
8. Ofisa Treviranus
9. Brenton Helleur
10. Tasesa Lavea
11. David Lemi
12. Johnny Leota
13. Seilala Mapusua (Captain)
14. Fautua Otto
15. James So'oialo
Reserves:
Simon Lemalu
Ole Avei
Logovi'i Mulipola
Filipo Lavea-Levi
Joe Tekori
Ezra Taylor
Maurie Fa'asavalu
George Stowers
Lautua and Jeremy Su’a
Fa'atonu Fili
Eliota Sapolu
Alesana Tuilagi
Paul Williams

Not sure about the reserves bench but this is the latest I got and the team is named "Chairman's fifteen", so PM might have had a say in the selections... lmao i hope not

 

[DJRonStar]

You would have thought the coach and selectors already had close to a 30 man squad and should of used the 2 games against a diluted western force squad to gel the team and get combination's flowing. By the looks of it there seems to be favoritism within and I wonder if Mr Prime Minister is having too much say!!

Surely now is not the time to be trialling when the team already should have finalized. So if the team thrashes Western Force development squad how are they suppose to compare to the players that played against the Wallabies.

I think we have seen enough of Fautua Otto to know that he is not up to international level and who is Lautua and Jeremy Su'a? Any relation to any of the Su'a in the Manu Samoa board. What about guys like Fai Mika, James Afoa, Lucky Mulipola even is better than Fautua Otto. I just hope politics don't play a part in selecting the final 30.

By the looks of it, Henry and Anitelea Tuilagi may have fallen out of favour.

 

[bonafidehamo]

You would have thought the coach and selectors already had close to a 30 man squad and should of used the 2 games against a diluted western force squad to gel the team and get combination's flowing. By the looks of it there seems to be favoritism within and I wonder if Mr Prime Minister is having too much say!!

Surely now is not the time to be trialling when the team already should have finalized. So if the team thrashes Western Force development squad how are they suppose to compare to the players that played against the Wallabies.

I think we have seen enough of Fautua Otto to know that he is not up to international level and who is Lautua and Jeremy Su'a? Any relation to any of the Su'a in the Manu Samoa board. What about guys like Fai Mika, James Afoa, Lucky Mulipola even is better than Fautua Otto. I just hope politics don't play a part in selecting the final 30.

By the looks of it, Henry and Anitelea Tuilagi may have fallen out of favour.

I guess we can't risk someone like Kahn Fotuali'i so close to the world cup. We know his quality and other players need game time.

I thought Fautua Otto, in last years EOYT, did well. He won't be starting a world cup game (maybe against Namibia?) but he is a handy replacement, as are most good 7's players. We will see if he can break into the 30 man squad.

 

[AfakasiAssasin]

I guess we can't risk someone like Kahn Fotuali'i so close to the world cup. We know his quality and other players need game time.

I thought Fautua Otto, in last years EOYT, did well. He won't be starting a world cup game (maybe against Namibia?) but he is a handy replacement, as are most good 7's players. We will see if he can break into the 30 man squad.

Kahn needs a rest. He has already solidified his place in the Manu Samoa RWC squad so he is not required plus he has been busy playing for Hawkes bay.Good to see Faosiliva, Treviranus, fa'amatuinau, Leota and Otto getting a shot to start. Also good to see Johnston partnering Paulo and Taulafo to see how he goes with our best loosehead prop to partner with. Not sure about the bench though, Lautua and Jeremy Su'a..who are they? lemalu and Mulipola have had their chances to impress during the PNC and they didnt, Surely we have others who are better as backup (James Johnston, James Afoa and Na'ama Leleimalefaga). Hope Ezra Taylor and Fa'atonu Fili get a chance to show their wares as I hope to see both in the final RWC squad. Interesting to see that Henry and Andy Tuilagi are both not there. Maybe a sign neither will be in the final RWC squad.

 

[AfakasiAssasin]

By the looks of it, Henry and Anitelea Tuilagi may have fallen out of favour.

I dont think Andy will be in the final squad. Henry possibly is still resting so it could still be possible to see him in the final squad even if he doesnt play against the Western Force.

 

[Siva Tau]

Henry would be a good impact player off the bench

 

[Siva Tau]

Team announced today. Anyone heard anything yet ?

 

[Darwin]

Team announced today. Anyone heard anything yet ?

Just read the following on Radio NZ international site:

SAMOA:

Samoa have submitted their team to the IRB but it wont be publicly revealed until their leaving dinner this Sunday.

 

[Siva Tau]

Thanks Darwin. Bloody frustrating for fans though.

 

[AfakasiAssasin]

My final Manu Samoa 30 man squad (not the actual final RWC squad)
Props
Sakaria Taulafo, Anthony Perenise, Cencus Johnston, James Johnston
Hookers
Mahonri Schwalger, Ti'i Paulo, Ole Avei'i
Locks
Kane Thompson, Iosefa Tekori, Dan Leo, Johnny Fa'amatuinu
Loose Forwards
Taiasina Tuifua, Maurie Fa'asavalu, George Stowers, Ofisa Treviranus, Alafoti Faosiliva (Doesnt look like Henry Tuilagi is available otherwise he'd be in there)
Scrum Halves
Kahn Fotuali'i, Lua Vailoaloa (Competition is still tight for the reserve halfback role, I wouldve liked to have seen the WF game to get a better assesment of our other options as Jeremy Su'a had a really good game)
Fly Halves
Tusi Pisi, Tasesa lavea, Fa'atonu Fili
Centres
Seilala Mapasua, George Pisi, Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu
Wingers
Alesana Tuilagi, Sailosi Tagicakibau, David Lemi
Fullbacks
Paul Williams, James So'oialo

So thats 17 forwards and 13 backs. 3 Flyhalves (4 including Kahn Fotuali'i) with 2 being able to cover in the centres and 1 being able to cover wing or fullback.

 

[DJRonStar]

Junior Polu is in Apia with the team. He could be the third half back.

 

[DJRonStar]

Junior Polu is in Apia with the team. He could be the third half back.

 

[AfakasiAssasin]

Junior Polu is in Apia with the team. He could be the third half back.

Must be. Why else would he be in Samoa if the squad has already been named?

 

[DJRonStar]

Unless he is ther as waterboy or bagboy lol

Hopefully someone leaks out the squad team before Sunday. I can't wait....

 

[Siva Tau]

agree everyone knows there squad except us. Im sure it wont out a dampmner on the farewell dinner, just be a chance for more officials to shake hands etc.

 

[Siva Tau]

I can see them selecting this squad(not exactly my pics):

Hookers: M Schwalger, T. Paulo. O Avei
Props: S Taulafo, A Perenise, C Johnston, J Johnston
Locks: K Thompson, J Tekori, F Levi, J Faamatainu
Flankers: M Faasavalu, M Salavea, O Treviranus, D Leo
No 8: G Stowers, T Tuifua
Halfs: K Fotualii, J Polu, B Helleur
First Five: T Pisi. T Lavea
2nd Five: S Mapasua, E Fuimaono-Sapolu
Centre: G Pisi
Wings: A Tuilagi, S Tagicakibau, D Lemi
FB: P Williams, J So'oialo

I think there logic will be all selected could play a role if needed. Faamatainu can play loose forward, Fotualii at 5/8, Fuimaono & Williams at centre if necessary. Lots of the other contenders in the backs proved well short of the level required in PNC games.

My tip is Treviranus and Faosiliva as the bolters. Ooops I forgot Dan Leo which means I drop out Faosiliva.

 

[aucklander]

Hookers: M Schwalger, T. Paulo. O Avei
Props: S Taulafo, A Perenise, C Johnston, J Johnston
Locks: K Thompson, J Tekori, F Levi, D Leo
Flankers: M Faasavalu, Henry Tuilagi, O Treviranus, A Faosiliva
No 8: G Stowers, T Tuifua
Halfs: K Fotualii, J Polu, N Lualua
First Five: T Pisi. T Lavea
2nd Five: S Mapasua, E Fuimaono-Sapolu
Centre: G Pisi
Wings: A Tuilagi, S Tagicakibau, D Lemi
FB: P Williams, J So'oialo

 

[bonafidehamo]

Hookers: M Schwalger, T. Paulo. O Avei
Props: S Taulafo, A Perenise, C Johnston, J Johnston
Locks: K Thompson, J Tekori, F Levi, D Leo
Flankers: M Faasavalu, Henry Tuilagi, O Treviranus, A Faosiliva
No 8: G Stowers, T Tuifua
Halfs: K Fotualii, J Polu, N Lualua
First Five: T Pisi. T Lavea
2nd Five: S Mapasua, E Fuimaono-Sapolu
Centre: G Pisi
Wings: A Tuilagi, S Tagicakibau, D Lemi
FB: P Williams, J So'oialo

Pretty much the same as my squad.

Though I don't know why everyone is including J Polu when he hasn't even been to a trial match (i might be wrong?). What about Brenton Helleur who played against Tonga and then got picked for Australia game? He also played against the force too.

Its pretty clear that Samoa has good depth when guys like Fili, Leota, Sinoti and a few others don't have a place in the squad. Compare that with RWC 2007 when we didn't even have a specialist 1st/5 and Polu was our best halfback.

Depth in the forwards is excellent and our first choice backs would have a place in the best international teams.

 

[pervysage]

1st of H Tuilagi and J Johnston ARE NOT in the training wc squad, did not see them at the game or @ practice... sooo, that leads to my 30 man squad lol

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


4 locks is all we need Tuifua can cover if needed n kahn to cover flyhalf if needed aswell