RWC Preview Samoa

[Sam Owen]

I hope Faatonu Fili gets in there. I know some of you may not like him but I think he'll provide our backs with some real oppertunities.

Yes he is a bit too flashy at times, kind-a like a wannabe Carlos Spencer, oh actually, kind-a like Mikaele Pesaminos wannabe mohawk hair-do lol. But if the kama settles down and plays with more focus and keeping things basic, rather than playing flash, he'll go good and overseas $$ contracts will be chasing him.

 

[AfakasiAssasin]

I hope Faatonu Fili gets in there. I know some of you may not like him but I think he'll provide our backs with some real oppertunities.

Yes he is a bit too flashy at times, kind-a like a wannabe Carlos Spencer, oh actually, kind-a like Mikaele Pesaminos wannabe mohawk hair-do lol. But if the kama settles down and plays with more focus and keeping things basic, rather than playing flash, he'll go good and overseas $$ contracts will be chasing him.

In a previous discussion I likened Fili to the character MAVERICK from the movie Top Gun with the way he plays. Now to borrow a quote from that movie which is why I wouldnt include him in my Manu Samoa line up "I dont like him because he is dangerous..."
Hes soo unconventianal...Either hes Spectacularly brilliant or he is horrifically awful. Too often he trys 'what was he thinking?' kind of plays which if they dont come off will hurt his team retaining pocession.
I like fili and I enjoy watching him from what ive seen in the past from him at club level and in sevens. At international level though especially at a world cup, I just cant trust him be a consistantly good performer and if he were to play at his worst against teams like Wales and South Africa...we would get destroyed! If he was consistant at his best though, he would be a shoe in.

 

[AfakasiAssasin]

Some young players there for the future of Samoa rugby, but none of them will make much difference to the team this year.

A bit weird you guys selected Faasavalu at openside. To me, Faasavalu is far from an openside option these days; he just doesn't have the motor for it anymore. He's similar to Henry Tuilagi now, and you wouldn't play Tuilagi at openside.

You are right I ment to have Maurie Fa'asavalu at 6 where he has been playing well for Harlequins and Ofisa Treviranus at Openside. He def has the motor for a #7 and his piflering skills I hear have been good in the sevens curcuit this year which Im hopeing translates to the 15s. He was very impressive during the end of year tour last year though I hear he recently injured himelf playing sevens. If he is healthy I hope for him to start out of the current squad.

 

[DJRonStar]

Manu Samoa have announced their Rugby World Cup training squad.The squad is due to go into camp on June the 20th.
The full squad is:
Hookers: Mahonri Schwalger, Ti’i Paulo, Mikaele Tuuu, Steve Fualau, Ole Avei.
Props: Sakaria Taulafo, Simon Lemalu, Kas Lealamanua, Logovii Mulipola, Census Johnston, Anthony Pereise, Naama Leleimalefaga, James Johnston.
Locks: Kane Thompson, Filipo Levi, Daniel Leo, Joe Tekori, Jonathan Faamatuainu.
Openside Flanker: Ray Ofisa, Manaia Salave’a, Ofisa Trevaranius.
Blindside Flanker :Maurie Fa’asavalu, Ezra Taylor, Tasina Tuifua
No 8: Georger Stowers, Henry Tuilagi, Alafoti Faosiliva.
Halfback: Kahn Fotuali’i, Junior Poluleuligaga, Brenton Helleur, Uale Ma’i, Thomas Tusitala.
First Five: Tasesa Lavea, Tusi Pisi, Fa’atonu Fili, Roger Warren.
Midfield: Seilala Mapusua, George Pisi, Johnny Leota, Eliota Sapolu, Fautua Otto, Anetelea Tuilagi, Taputoa Rea, Herman Porter, Timoteo Iosua, Chris Slade.
Wing: Alesana Tuilagi, Sailosi Tagicakibau, David Lemi, Sinoti Sinoti, Alapati Leiua.
Fullback: Paul Williams, Ahsee Tuala, Apoua Stewart.


From what I've heard, there are a few more players who have yet to confirm or will be involved in Super Rugby playoffs, and won't confirm availability till then;


Blues

Peter Saili
Chris Lowrey
Filo Paulo
Mathew Luamanu


Hurricanes
Serge Lilo
Fa'afili Levave


Samoa should and will have probably there strongest ever squad come World Cup 2011. If they can carry on from last years end of year tour of Ireland / UK then they will be in good stead heading in to the World Cup. A big improvement last year was their set pieces and tight five play. I think we can thank Tom Coventry, the Hawkes Bay coach and new Chiefs forward coach come 2012. He is very well rated by his peers and you just need to look at how far Hawkes Bay have risen in the last few years. Interesting to see that Hawkes Bay have named 3 Manu Samoa fringe players in there starting line up this week. Maselino Paulino (lock), Logovi'i Mulipola and Kas Lealamanua (props).


Remember this a World Cup training squad and a full squad for the Pacific Rugby Cup and the Test against the Wallabies in July will be named before. There will be players added after the Super rugby playoffs and once availability of players confirmed.


My Squad on what we have available so far will look something like this;


1. Sakaria Taulafo

2. Mahonri Schwalger C
3. Anthony Perenise
4. Jo Tekori
5. Daniel Leo
6. Ezra Taylor
7. Ray Ofisa

8. Henry Tuilagi
9. Kahn Fotuali'i
10. Tasesa Lavea
11. Alepati Leiua (Hurricanes) My bolter! Plenty of pace and has the X factor as shown in super rugby.
12. Seilala Mapusua

13. George Pisi
14. Alesana Tuilagi
15. Paul Williams


16. Ti'i Paulo
17. Census Johnston
18. Filipo Levi

19. Ofisa Travaranus / Alafoti Faosiliva

20. Junior Polu

21. Tusi Pisi
22. Sailosi Taqicakibau

 

[Sam Owen]

Matthew Luamanu and Fa'afili Levave should be in there IMO.

 

[kovana]

@ DJ

7. Ray Ofisa

Sorry.. But Ofisa (Rays younger brother) seems much better at that position then Ray IMO.

 

[DJRonStar]

Kovana - Fair call uso. I've followed Ray playing for Connacht in Ireland over the last few years and wondered why he hasn't been given the opportunity to play for the Manu. Finally he has an opportunity to prove his worth. He's been named club player for Connacht twice in the past 5 seasons. He's a specialist number seven and wouldn't let down playing in blue. Really hope Jack Lam and Serge make themselves available. they are scavengers lol!

Just watching the Hurricanes and Lions... Levave putting in some big hits and my man Leiua looking sharp on the wing. 98 days to go till the world cup.......

 

[kovana]

No worries DJ.

 

[dan the man nz]

dont get me wrong im not trying to sound disrespectfull but how come the captain of samoa is only benching for the highlanders?

 

[Darwin]

dont get me wrong im not trying to sound disrespectfull but how come the captain of samoa is only benching for the highlanders?

Mo Schwalger has started the last two games for the Highlanders.... but don't let that get in the way of whatever your point is

 

[Sam Owen]

dont get me wrong im not trying to sound disrespectfull but how come the captain of samoa is only benching for the highlanders?

'Cos, he leads from the bench hahaha....you cant beat those inspirational warm ups of his lol.

Nah but seriously, dont mock our captain dan<_<. Sad guy..

 

[DJRonStar]

Mo Schwalger has been in pretty good form and good to see him start in the last two games. If he weren't team captain I'd go for Ti'i Paulo as starting hooker and maybe even have Steve Fualau coming in from the bench. I'm sure come world cup time there will be a few debatable selections, but at the end of the day I'll be supporting whoever gets to represent the men in blue. Samoa are lucky to have depth in the hooker position. Mahonri Schwalger, Ti'i Paulo, Stve Fualau, Mikaele Tu'u and Ole Avei.

 

[dan the man nz]

haha fair enough i guess hes been captain before and isnt by any means 'bad' so may as well continue being the skipper then. only one team can have mccaw.

 

[AfakasiAssasin]

Mo Schwalger has been in pretty good form and good to see him start in the last two games. If he weren't team captain I'd go for Ti'i Paulo as starting hooker and maybe even have Steve Fualau coming in from the bench. I'm sure come world cup time there will be a few debatable selections, but at the end of the day I'll be supporting whoever gets to represent the men in blue. Samoa are lucky to have depth in the hooker position. Mahonri Schwalger, Ti'i Paulo, Stve Fualau, Mikaele Tu'u and Ole Avei.

In the last decade or so, our depth at hooker has not been great outside Trevor Leota, Mahonri Schwalger, Tani Fuga and Jonathon Meredith... Now come 2011 we have 5 decent hookers to choose from its going to make selection hard which is a good thing. Mahonri and Ti'i will probably book their spots to the world cup with, if they added a third, Steve Fualau as the next in line.

 

[dan the man nz]

you know the player fili the first five for wellington.. i watched his highlights on youtube and he looks mean.. very natural.. and if others like you say are better options then the wc looks promising for samoa

 

[AfakasiAssasin]

you know the player fili the first five for wellington.. i watched his highlights on youtube and he looks mean.. very natural.. and if others like you say are better options then the wc looks promising for samoa

Its either one or the other with him, either hes HORRIBLE or a HUMAN HIGHLIGHT REEL...never in between.

 

[SAMOAN_BULLDOZA]

My manu samoa squad

My Manu Samoan squad would be 1.Census Johnston, 2. Tii Paulo 3.Anthony Perenise , 4.Kane Thompson, 5. Filipo Levi, 6. Chad Slade, 7. Maurie Fa'asavalu, 8. H. Tuilagi, 9. Kahn Fotuali'i, 10. Lima Sopoaga, 11. Alesaga Tuilagi, 12. Eliota Sapolu, 13. Robbie Fruean. 14.David Smith 15. Tim Nanai Williams.

Bench: Alex Tulou, George Stowers, Paul Williams, Gavin Williams, T. Lavea, Manu Tuilagi, Andy Tuilagi,David Lemi, Mapusua, Pisi,Jame Afoa, Tagicakibau, M.Schwalger, Uale Mai, A.Faosiliva, Jamie Helleur, Ofisa Treviranus, Frtz Lee,Peter Saili,Julian Savea.

 

[AfakasiAssasin]

My Manu Samoan squad would be 1.Census Johnston, 2. Tii Paulo 3.Anthony Perenise , 4.Kane Thompson, 5. Filipo Levi, 6. Chad Slade, 7. Maurie Fa'asavalu, 8. H. Tuilagi, 9. Kahn Fotuali'i, 10. Lima Sopoaga, 11. Alesaga Tuilagi, 12. Eliota Sapolu, 13. Robbie Fruean. 14.David Smith 15. Tim Nanai Williams.

Bench: Alex Tulou, George Stowers, Paul Williams, Gavin Williams, T. Lavea, Manu Tuilagi, Andy Tuilagi,David Lemi, Mapusua, Pisi,Jame Afoa, Tagicakibau, M.Schwalger, Uale Mai, A.Faosiliva, Jamie Helleur, Ofisa Treviranus, Frtz Lee,Peter Saili,Julian Savea.


View attachment 890

not bad, but the problem with that team is a few of the player are ineligible as they have been capped elsewhere (David Smith, Manu Tuilagi) or allegiance hasn't been set for Samoa yet and probably wont at least for the foreseeable future (Robbie Fruen, Lima Sopoaga, Julien Savea, Tim Nanai Williams, Fritz Lee). Jamie Helleur has retired from playing for Samoa to concentrate on his new club contract.

 

[Darwin]

not bad, but the problem with that team is a few of the player are ineligible as they have been capped elsewhere (David Smith, Manu Tuilagi) or allegiance hasn't been set for Samoa yet and probably wont at least for the foreseeable future (Robbie Fruen, Lima Sopoaga, Julien Savea, Tim Nanai Williams, Fritz Lee). Jamie Helleur has retired from playing for Samoa to concentrate on his new club contract.

Savea, Nanai-Williams, and Lee have (like David Smith) all played 7's for New Zealand, while Fruean has played for the Junior All Blacks. Therefore unfortunately none of these players are eligible for Samoa.

 

[AfakasiAssasin]

does junior all blacks count as being capped? I thought Paul Williams was a JAB at one time..