RWC: Fiji - Samoa (25-09-2011, 15:30)

[DJRonStar]

Go Samoa go! A win at first then hopefully a bonus point. Hard to predict what team to play but I think they will go with there stroongest team all guns blazing. A bonus point win (fingers crossed) will still have them at second place in the pool with one game to play. If thats the case then it will come down to the last round. Samoa will need to beat South Africa or hope Wales loses to Fiji.

If Tusi Pisi aint right, stick Fotuali'i at first five and have Polu or Sua at halfback.

Fa'amalosi Manu Samoa!!

 

[Siva Tau]

Go boys. Any news on injuries including Perenise ?

 

[peks89]

none of the island teams made the quarters in 1999 or 2003, samoa and fiji made the qualifying quarter finals they had in 99 though. I hope one of the island teams make it through this year. Samoa should be the favourites on paper.

Waqaniburotu has been cited for his spear tackle in the game and facing the judicial hearing today
http://tvnz.co.nz/rugby-world-cup/fiji-s-waqaniburotu-cited-dangerous-tackle-4406421

yeh he got 3 weeks for it! http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/news/newsid=2052808.html#waqaniburotu+suspended+three+weeks

 

[Bail]

Samoa can still lose to SA and qualify if they score four tries and prevent Fiji to take 2 bonus points. Then Fiji can still take the 3rd place with a 8+ win over Wales without being able to qualify.

Edit : Both can still oust Wales of everything with 5-2 points Samoa win and simple win of Fiji overs Wales if the 3 teams tied tiebreaker include points earned in games between teams tied.

 

[Muzzy]

Waqaniburotu banned for 3 weeks and lock Wame Leweravu broke his finger and is out for 2 weeks. Waqaniburotu can be replaced with Talei, but they could have used a physical lock. Kalou is also a good lock, had a good game against Samoa in the pnc

Samoa can still lose to SA and qualify if they score four tries and prevent Fiji to take 2 bonus points. Then Fiji can still take the 3rd place with a 8+ win over Wales without being able to qualify.

Edit : Both can still oust Wales of everything with 5-2 points Samoa win and simple win of Fiji overs Wales if the 3 teams tied tiebreaker include points earned in games between teams tied.

Fiji seem to lift their game against Wales so i think we can definitely beat them, but this game against Samoa is going to be hard, idk about Fiji's chances for this one

 

[kovana]

Fiji also lift their game against Samoa...

Is Pisi fit? If they stick Lavea back at FH.. We might as well just forfeit the match.

How about Sapolu at FH? He could perhaps bore the fijian team to death with his rants?

 

[Muzzy]

LMAO the good thing for you though is Fiji's Luveniyali is no better as a first five, Bai would be good but the coaches keep playing Luveniyali at 10, so Lavea shouldn't be too big a factor

 

[peks89]

fiji shouldnt of found luveniyali lol <_<..throw little or bai in there...better than nothing

 

[Siva Tau]

Ive seen Eliota play f/h before and I dont rate him there. I dont think he has the decision making capability required. If Lavea was a little quicker between the ears he would be ok. In patches he was ok against Wales but he was merely a link man.

I also think Kahn needs to be half. I wasnt overly impressed with him at 10. Yes he has played there before but he wasnt overly impressive on Sunday. He needs to get his own act together after a sub-par performance. He should put in a big one cause he rarely has two bad games.

 

[Muzzy]

fiji shouldnt of found luveniyali lol <_<..throw little or bai in there...better than nothing

I'd still prefer him at fullback than Murimurivalu or Keresoni though, Luveniyali had a good kicking game, Fiji were terrible under the high ball so Samoa might try and use that

 

[Siva Tau]

Word is Pisi will play. Others under injury cloud are Tagicakibau and Tuifua.

 

[DJRonStar]

Word is Pisi will play. Others under injury cloud are Tagicakibau and Tuifua.

Apparently Tusi Pisi is still 80%, coach reckons he'll be 100% by Sunday and will play. Tagicakibau is in the clear to play but Tuifua still nursing sore ribs. Maybe rest Tuifua and fingers crossed he's 100% for next Friday.

Don't forget to put the clock forward for daylight savings and for overcease guys, the gmae will be played an hour earlier because of NZ daylight savings!!

 

[Muzzy]

http://www.fijilive.com/sports/rugby/news/2011/09/23/23645.Fijilive
Fiji Team to Play Samoa:

Ma'afu
Koto
Manu
Kalou
Nakarawa
Talei
Ravulo
Koyamaibole
Kenatale
Little
Nalaga
Bai
Lovobalavu
Goneva
Murimurivalu

Bench:

Vulivuli
Luveniyali
Buatava
Tuapati
Nasiga
Qera

bit nervous about Little at first five but he'll probably be better than luveniyali, apart from Waqaniburotu missing i think this team looks better than the last two games

 

[Manu Samoa]

http://af.reuters.com/article/southAfricaNews/idAFL3E7KN02P20110923
Samoas team to play against Fiji on Sunday

15-Paul Williams, 14-Sailosi Tagicakibau, 13-George Pisi, 12-Seilala Mapusua, 11-Alesana Tuilagi, 10-Tusi Pisi, 9-Kahn Fotuali'i, 8-George Stowers, 7-Maurie Faasavalu, 6-Taiasina Tuifua, 5-Kane Thompson, 4-Daniel Leo, 3-Census Johnston, 2-Mahonri Schwalger (captain), 1-Sakaria Taulafo.
Replacements: 16-Ti'i Paulo, 17-Anthony Perenise, 18-Filipo Lavea Levi, 19-Manaia Salavea, 20-Jeremy Sua, 21-Eliota Fuimaono Sapolu, 22-James Sooialo.

Finally Lavea is out of the line out thank you very much coach Tafua.... Thank you thank you thank you!

 

[Muzzy]

oh man that looks like a strong line up for Samoa, and starting Cencus Johnston for the first time in maybe two years? I know they want to target Fiji's weak scrum but starting Johnston is just bullying lol

 

[Dizzy]

yassss no Lavea

 

[aucklander]

I hope this time we can play the sort of rugby we played against Australia. We need to win this game now that Lavea is out. But let's hope it makes a huge difference. Can't wait for this game. Sorry Fiji i won't be in your corner this time. But will be definitely behind you when you guys play Wales. Alesana Tuilagi to score the first try of the game, Nicky Little vs Tusi Pisi will be a huge show down. Nalaga vs Tuilagi. Can't wait. Cheeeeeeeeeeee huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu

 

[UilamOsa]

Im pretty sure Census came off the bench last week. At least Perenise is decent enough to take up the bench.

Finally no Lavea. Fingers crossed we can get some decent ball to the backs.

Good luck Fiji - was always a fan of Nicky Little but he's seen better days.

 

[kovana]

Happy that Lavea is not starting.. And wow.. Not even on the bench.

Lavea has had many chances to make the Number 10 Jersey his... But he has continually not made the mark. Hopefully, this can help him really reinvent his game. I was always a fan back in 2004 when he was somewhat of the form 1/5 in the S15.. but only for a short time.

Anyways.. We need to win the scrums and lineouts.. AND NOT let the fijians win the Ruck area.. They did that to us back in Suva this year.. Also Lavea was at FH.

We need to be smart and not just run willy nilly all over the place with no real plan.

Go manu!

 

[kovana]

Also, did anyone see the odds for this match..

Fiji Huge favorites to win this match..