RWC Preview Samoa

[gmoe]

Count Robbie Freuen out, he'll never play for Samoa over NZ.

 

[ZeFrenchy]

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

They have played for "the Junior All Blakcs, formerly konwn as New Zealand A". It's not age based, so they can't play for another country.

Williams probably played for some age-based New Zealand team, right?

 

[Darwin]

They have played for "the Junior All Blakcs, formerly konwn as New Zealand A". It's not age based, so they can't play for another country.

Williams probably played for some age-based New Zealand team, right?

Yep that's right. I'm not sure whether Paul Williams played age grade rugby for New Zealand, but he never played for the Junior All Blacks (aka NZ 'A'). He was very close to making the AB's in 2008 - being included in a training squad - but never got any further.

 

[AfakasiAssasin]

Yep that's right. I'm not sure whether Paul Williams played age grade rugby for New Zealand, but he never played for the Junior All Blacks (aka NZ 'A'). He was very close to making the AB's in 2008 - being included in a training squad - but never got any further.

In that case im glad the JABs are no longer in the Pacific Nations cup aswell as Australia A. I wasnt too happy that they were no longer in the competition as I felt they provided much needed springboards for the Islanders playing regular tier 1 competition. Its kinda ridiculous that if you play for them (does that count for the NZ Maori 2?) that counts as being capped and binds you to New Zealand. Ideally Id like them to change that rule and bring them back into the competition.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

NZ Maori doesn't count - hence Riki Flutey playing for England

 

[AfakasiAssasin]

Bit of a blow yesterday for Samoa. Winger Alapati Leiua was injured and had to be helped off near the end of the Hurricanes game yesterday. He may miss the PNC which will hurt his chances if he is to make the final RWC squad.

 

[DJRonStar]

Hope his injury is not as bad as it looks... Samoa still have good cover but would have been good to see Leiua get his chance in the PNC. An exciting back with plenty of promise. Looking forward to this evening game Blues vs Crusaders. Spoke to one of the uso's and the Blues had Lucky Luke running at fullback in the last two training sessions. Interesting to see if they will have him at fullback on defence? Anyway come on the Blues!!

 

[AfakasiAssasin]

My Samoa preview was published earlier today:

http://www.rugbymania.com.br/2009/ver_noticia08.asp?codigo=4265

Suggested XV

15 Paul Williams (Sale, ENG)
14 David Lemi (London Wasps, ENG)
13 Seilala Mapusua (London Irish, ENG)
12 Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu (Gloucester, ENG) *
11 Alesana Tuilagi (Leicester, ENG)
10 Tasesa Lavea (Clermont, FRA)
9 Junior Poluleuligaga (Exeter, ENG)
8 Henry Tuilagi (Perpignan, FRA)
7 Manaia Salaveá (Narborne, FRA)
6 George Stowers (London Irish, ENG)
5 Filipo Levi (Newcastle, ENG)
4 Joe Tekori (Castres, FRA)
3 Census Johnson (Toulouse, FRA)
2 Mahonra Schwalger capitão (Taranaki, NZ)
1 Na´ama Leleimalefaga (Montpellier, FRA)

Reserves 16 Tií Paulo (Clermont, FRA), 17 Anthony Perenise (Hawkes Bay, NZ), 18 Kane Thompson (Dax, FRA), 19 Daniel Leo (Bordeaux, FRA), 20 Kahn Fotuali'i (Hawkes Bay, NZ), 21 George Pisi (Taranaki, NZ), 22 Gavin Williams (Clermont, FRA).

You will probably need to rewrite that team, Of you starters maybe only 6 will actually start with 4 of the players you listed on the bench likely to be starters. Id say this is what the team is likely to look like at full strength come RWC and not necessarily my own matchday 22.

Starters
1 Sakaria Taulafo
2 Mahonri Schwalger (captain)
3 Anthony Perenise
4 Kane Thompson
5 Dan Leo
6 Taiasina Tu'ifua
7 Maurie Fa'asavalu
8 George Stowers
9 Kahn Fotuali'i
10 Tusi Pisi
11 Alesana Tuilagi
12 Seilala Mapasua
13 George Pisi
14 Sailosi Tagicakibau
15 Paul Williams

Reserves
16 Ti'i Paulo 17 Cencus Johnston 18 Iosefa Tekori 19 Henry Tuilagi 20 Lualua Vailoaloa 21 Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu 22 James So'oialo
Essentialy close to the same team that played the Wallabies with a few changes to the bench. The squad has yet to be announced but I'd say that would be alot closer to what the team will look like come the RWC.

 

[DJRonStar]

Starters
1 Sakaria Taulafo
2 Mahonri Schwalger (captain)
3 Anthony Perenise
4 Kane Thompson
5 Jo Tekori
6 Taiasina Tu'ifua
7 Maurie Fa'asavalu
8 George Stowers
9 Kahn Fotuali'i
10 Tusi Pisi
11 Alesana Tuilagi
12 Seilala Mapasua
13 George Pisi
14 Sailosi Tagicakibau
15 Paul Williams

Reserves
16 Ti'i Paulo 17 Cencus Johnston 18 Henry Tuilagi 19 Manaia Salavea20 Lualua Vailoaloa 21 Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu 22 Tasesa Lavea

A couple of changes to the team you've named Afakasi. I think Samoa will go in with two openside flankers in the squad. It will be a risk if they only went in with only Fa'asavalu or Salavea because they are the only two who can play 7. They will use Tuifua to cover lock and Henry Tuilagi could be the impact off the bench. Daniel Leo will be the unlucky lock to miss the matchday squad. You can't go pass Jo Tekori who is a big game player. In saying that most of the world cup squad will get a run.

I also think Lavea will get the bench spot in the squad. Although So'oialo is a good kicker I think the experience of having someone like Lavea comming off the bench will be good. Tusi Pisi and Paul Williams can both kick goals. In the case of an injury to Paul Williams, Taqicakibau or George Pisi can move to fullback.