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

[Muzzy]

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!

Thats why I don't understand why he's had these games yet Fili has only had a few games for Samoa and that was 3 years ago

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.

yeah Samoa have been using him from the bench for all their games this year and last year, so the fact their starting him for this game shows they want to dominate Fiji at scrum

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

Fiji Huge favorites to win this match..

LMAO wow, coz every show I've seen, Cup Talk, Cup Goes Wild, Reunion etc are all saying Samoa will win

 

[kovana]

I know. Hopefully Manu Samoa dont start believing in their own hype.

But look at the Betting odds.. And they are hardly ever wrong.

 

[Muzzy]

where did you see the betting odds?

 

[kovana]

Up top of each Match thread.

 

[UilamOsa]

Potential Game Changer: Scheduled to Rain.

Someone with Little's experience may be come invaluable.

 

[cardassian]

Glad Lavea is nowhere near the team, based on that alone i'm confident of a Samoa win.

 

[Bail]

Tuifua come back is a huge advantage for Samoa. We was the hero in Sydney. Samoa can't do a better line-up. There only one change in the starting XV from Sydney and only one player is new in the 22 (Sua) ! They must prevail easily. But they must let one point to Fiji to let them a chance to oust Wales from 2015.

 

[DJRonStar]

Agree with you Bail. Best lineup for Samoa in this world cup. Great to see Tusi Pisi and Tuifua back in the starting 15. Tuifua's presence will be of great assett and that will help Fa'asavalu and Stowers hopefully contain a very big powerful Fijian back row. Ofisa from the bench is a smart move and bringing on Perenise and Filipo Levi will only strengthen the scrum more in the latter stages.

No Tasesa in the squad, although he was still playing at number 10 during training at captains run yesterday. May be a slim chance that Tusi Pisi is not 100 %. Looks like Eliota will cover number 10. Playing against Fiji will suit Eliota's style of play.

I'm quietly confident that Manu will do the job. Just hope they dont play to loose a game as that will only suit the Fijians. Play it tight and zap the big Fijian back three and get Alesana involved in early.

Go Manu!!

 

[Bail]

I really hope two try bonus with a large Samoa victory, so Fiji can still have a reason to beat Wales.

 

[Seaton]

Been some good runs, but I am largely still waiting for the game to truly come to life. Kicking hasn't been the best, errors creeping into the game. Samoa been in control so far, 12-0 (pens)

 

[SelimNiai]

Been too many unforced errors to make it a spectacle. As a result I'm struggling to stay awake after being up for nigh on 24 hours

 

[Wally]

Has it been raining? Pretty underwhelming first half of football.

 

[Muzzy]

Has it been raining? Pretty underwhelming first half of football.

yeah its been terrible weather in auckland, rainy, windy, cloudy, not a patch of blue to be seen in the sky. Just got back from the game. Disappointed with the loss, too many knock on's from Fiji, too many poor tackles, Fiji got their act together at times but was too little too late. Nalaga should have scored his try when he made that run but he tried to step and fell over, and Qera just botched a third try so far for this world cup when he dropped that ball he should have put down over the try line. Good game from Samoa and they were the better team.

btw i can't believe how many french people are in auckland right now, every second group of people i walked past were speaking in french

 

[hitman51]

Samoa made way too many mistakes did not capitalise on the oppotunities. Should of scored at least 3 times in that first half. 12 nil at half time didnt reflect their true dominance of the game. Poor handling skills from everyone, If they come close to south africa they need to be far more clinical if they want a good result.

 

[nickdnz]

I really think Fiji missing players like Nacewa, Caucaunibuca, Delasau, Bobo etc is the reason Fiji have been pretty average in this tornement. There just a lack of attacking flair and creativity that has been the trademark of Fiji in RWCs.

 

[Siva Tau]

Samoa made way too many mistakes did not capitalise on the oppotunities. Should of scored at least 3 times in that first half. 12 nil at half time didnt reflect their true dominance of the game. Poor handling skills from everyone, If they come close to south africa they need to be far more clinical if they want a good result.

Definitely agree with this. I thought Cencus Johnston starting had a good effect on scrummaging, thats not to say Perenise wouldnt have worked over Maafu too. First half was very dominant and once 15-0 it seemed Samoa was more measured. Only when the game appeared lost did Fiji make an impact. A shame for Fiji as they have some good players but they seem like they havent had a decent prep for this tournament. Also think Fiji should have played there first team more.

 

[TRF_heineken]

One of the most boring matches i ever watched!! can't believe i woke up 4am to watch this game!!

After this game I'm full of confidence that Samoa won't win South Africa, in Fact, i don't think they're going to score a try vs SA!!

 

[UilamOsa]

yeah its been terrible weather in auckland, rainy, windy, cloudy, not a patch of blue to be seen in the sky. Just got back from the game. Disappointed with the loss, too many knock on's from Fiji, too many poor tackles, Fiji got their act together at times but was too little too late. Nalaga should have scored his try when he made that run but he tried to step and fell over, and Qera just botched a third try so far for this world cup when he dropped that ball he should have put down over the try line. Good game from Samoa and they were the better team.

btw i can't believe how many french people are in auckland right now, every second group of people i walked past were speaking in french

Don't worry, where I work i've seen their itineraries - the majority of them will be leaving within the next 2 weeks.

Terrible weather, Manu couldn't get the game into action despite dominating territory and possesion in the first half. And Fiji looked out of sorts during the game, lack of communication. Despite all that - great crowd, great atmosphere, great result for the Manu.

One of the most boring matches i ever watched!! can't believe i woke up 4am to watch this game!!

After this game I'm full of confidence that Samoa won't win South Africa, in Fact, i don't think they're going to score a try vs SA!!

Ouch. But after a performance like that - I can see why. Still we will keep the faith, march on towards North Shore wave our flags and hope like hell we've got enough fit bodies to put themselves out there.

 

[Bail]

One of the most boring matches i ever watched!! can't believe i woke up 4am to watch this game!!

After this game I'm full of confidence that Samoa won't win South Africa, in Fact, i don't think they're going to score a try vs SA!!

I must agree. We just saw a game between the 3rd and 4th.

 

[SelimNiai]

Dissapointed by the game, attempted to stay up for the whole thing but, as I posted earlier, there were just too many errors and the game was a stop start affair. Samoa just had that ltle extra class that told in the end.

Little's selection was one of nostalgia, he was poor. Kicked too far for his chasers to get too, something that he did when playing for us last season.