RWC: Samoa - Namibia (14-09-2011)

[UilamOsa]

Looks like we lost Pisi, looks like a Hammy, fingers crossed he makes it in a few days and Tasesa (as per usual) was rubbish.

 

[TRF_RC]

The "Jungle Rugby" and "Smashed em, bro!" cries are going out around New Zealand, whenever the Pacific Islanders play.
Haha, shocked to have not seen very many illegal hits already throughout the world cup by these boys.
If pisi doesn't make a return against wales that will be great as far as i'm concerned, here's hoping he gets better soon...let's say 7 days recovery.

 

[kovana]

Ohh MANNNN.,, His combo with Lavea is one of the best we have seen so far.

Lavea just doesnt gel with Kahn.. Oh man.

I think this RWC is over for us. We wont make it out of pool stage unless we have a good FH.

EDIT:

And did anyone notice Lavea AGAIN not make the distance on a penalty kick to touch.. My gosh.. VINTAGE LAVEA!

 

[Sam Owen]

Haha, shocked to have not seen very many illegal hits already throughout the world cup by these boys.

Thats because we dont do many, were known for our physicality in defence not 'illegal defence' lol.

 

[donmcdazzle]

Thats because we dont do many, were known for our physicality in defence not 'illegal defence' lol.

Island players always get the rough end of the stick when it comes to big hits. Often times they will put on a good tackle with arms, but the impact of the hit knocks the guy over before they can actually wrap the arms round and a penalty is given.. hate when that happens. As long as the arms aren't by their sides then the hit should be legal.

 

[TRF_RC]

Thats because we dont do many, were known for our physicality in defence not 'illegal defence' lol.

Ahh, come on, you pacific islanders always sneak in a few in the world cup. I remember Brian Lima

 

[TRF_RC]

As long as the arms aren't by their sides then the hit should be legal.

But having the arm out and not wrapping it while making a tackle is a clothesline.

 

[ranger]

But having the arm out and not wrapping it while making a tackle is a clothesline.

Not necessarily

 

[UilamOsa]

But having the arm out and not wrapping it while making a tackle is a clothesline.

If you're making the attempt to wrap then that should be considered a tackle. Tackling whilst leading with your arms doesnt have any power in it. If you lead with your shoulder and then your arms that's the most effective way to tackle.

I think Paul Williams was hard done by.

C'mon Pisi - just run it off and drink some water. Should be sweet by tomorrow.

 

[hitman51]

Its a good thing Samoa were rusty today, the score would of been far worse. Too many handling errors by the Manu. I think Faasavalu will be having a quiet word with Stowers about the man of the match award that he should of received lol. No offense to Stowers but Faasavalu was head an shoulders the best player on the field. Wouldnt worry too much about the injuries treverinas will fill in the loosies he was awesome today i favor him more than tuifua, and theirs Salavea an also Faosiliva in back up squad, the Manu a pretty much covered in the loosies with players built for the kill. If Tusi is out, i think kahn will be shifted to 5/8 with polu to halfback an Eliota can cover in at 5/8 but prefer him to start over Mapusua. They could either bring on Jeremy Sua as half back cover or bring in Johny Leota as midfield cover never seen Sua play before but Leota is an explosive player in the midfield everyone in NZ knows who he is and how he plays. Samoa is pretty much covered in all areas, so hope they go well against the welsh who are going to be very tough.

Good luck Manu Samoa bring on the welsh.

 

[LittleGuy]

Its a good thing Samoa were rusty today, the score would of been far worse. Too many handling errors by the Manu. I think Faasavalu will be having a quiet word with Stowers about the man of the match award that he should of received lol. No offense to Stowers but Faasavalu was head an shoulders the best player on the field. Wouldnt worry too much about the injuries treverinas will fill in the loosies he was awesome today i favor him more than tuifua, and theirs Salavea an also Faosiliva in back up squad, the Manu a pretty much covered in the loosies with players built for the kill. If Tusi is out, i think kahn will be shifted to 5/8 with polu to halfback an Eliota can cover in at 5/8 but prefer him to start over Mapusua. They could either bring on Jeremy Sua as half back cover or bring in Johny Leota as midfield cover never seen Sua play before but Leota is an explosive player in the midfield everyone in NZ knows who he is and how he plays. Samoa is pretty much covered in all areas, so hope they go well against the welsh who are going to be very tough.

Good luck Manu Samoa bring on the welsh.

To be fair Namibia looked utterly exhausted out there two games versus Island teams in four days would be tough for any team in the world let aloe the lowest ranked one in the RWC.

 

[Siva Tau]

You only think of it that way cause mosts rugby players/teams particularly northern Hemisphere cant tackle. As a result the refs from up north have never seen a hard solid tackle and are prone to penalise what they havent seen before.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

That final 'try' was not a try.

My gosh, refs and TMOs are getting quite hopeless.

Poite is a blight.

What?
I think you need to take off your Blue tinted glasses, that was a clear cut try - I'm surprised it even needed to go to the TMO
He made clear downward pressure on the ball ON THE LINE before losing control - that's a try

 

[Sam Owen]

Ahh, come on, you pacific islanders always sneak in a few in the world cup. I remember Brian Lima

They're called hits, nothing illegal about it. Some people just are scared of big hits happening to their players, so they call it illegal. Like Tana use to say 'it aint tiddlywinks'.

I remember Brian Lima, let see in this video where his hit was illegal and if he gets pulled up for it being illegal...



Ahhh...yeah.

 

[peks89]

beautiful tackle!

 

[Sam Owen]

Looks like we lost Pisi, looks like a Hammy, fingers crossed he makes it in a few days and Tasesa (as per usual) was rubbish.

Yeah thats what I was afraid of. I always knew we were going to beat Namibia (with all due respect to our Namibian posters) so I wasnt too worried about that, I was just looking for 2 things from this game. 1. to hopefully come away with no major injuries 2. to have a strong showing of defence.

We got an injury to a vital part of our backline in Pisi. Injuries do happen but Im just hoping his one is a grade 1 injury.

Our defence wasnt 80mins and thats a worry. Especially in that last quarter, I hope that doesnt become an issue for us.

All and all happy with the result but it was expected so no big frills from me. The world cup as far as Im concerned, starts in our next game for us.

 

[UilamOsa]

What?
I think you need to take off your Blue tinted glasses, that was a clear cut try - I'm surprised it even needed to go to the TMO
He made clear downward pressure on the ball ON THE LINE because losing control - that's a try

Agreed. I thought that was a try.

Also, given Namibia's effort - i thought that it was deserved.

Let's see if Samoa if can handle the short turnaround. Tonga had their troubles. Took Namibia alot of heart to keep going.

Loving this World Cup.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

It's a tough match vs Wales as well - Going to need their strongest side out

 

[Siva Tau]

why is it Samoa, Tonga, Namibia have this short turn around. Its a bit disappointing but lets look forward with great anticipation.

That was definitely a try to the Namibians who played a solid 80 mins and never gave up. On there performances so far they would have beaten Scotland as would Canada and maybe Japan too.

 

[AfakasiAssasin]

Great performance by the Manu today. Few handling errors and looking alittle rusty in the mid periods of the match was a little frustrating but overal very pleased for Samoa to hit the ground running and win emphatically today. The lineout worked very well today (I think we won nearly every ball even Namibias throw ins) and the scrum worked well. All the front rowers showed high work rate today at the scrum, getting around the park and taking the hit ups. Dan Leo was our main man at the lineout with Kane Thompson stealing a couple of throws from Namibia. The loose trio was exceptional with Fa'asavalu and Stowers in particular. Good to see Fa'asavalu hitting his stride again in union and playing to the same form he showed at the 2003 RWC with a MOTM performance. Fotuali'i and Pisi combined well at the halves with Poluleuligaga doing a good job upon his time on the field. Lavea I think did ok when he replaced T Pisi. The midfield played well defensively but were a little quiet on attack. Fuimaon-Sapolu stood out and set up one of Tuilagis three tries. Tuilagi put on another cracking performance always looking dangerous with ball in hand and touching down for a hattrick of tries to open up his RWC account. Williams played well and IMO there was nothing ilegal with the hit he put on which earned him a yellow card.
I was afraid of possibly losing a key player or two and it seems we may lose T Pisi and/or Taiasina Tuifua for a while if not the rest of the RWC. Both had to be helped of the field near the end of the first half and I hope they can return for the crunch game vs Wales, in particular Tusi Pisi as he was controlling the game very well at first five as he did vs the Wallabies.
Overall proud of the performance today and definatly some momentum we can carry forth towards this weekend and the rest of the tournemant. Cant wait to get to New Zealand and cheer the team on hopefully to victory. MANU FA'AMALOSI !!!