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RWC: Samoa - Wales (18-9-11, 15:30)

Can't see Wales losing this one. You'd think Samoa were favourites the way some pundits are talking about this match.

1.) Samoa are at about the same level as Italy in the IRB tables. There's a reason for that. Wales do lose against Italy once in a blue moon, but 8/10 times we beat them.

2.) Apart from beating Australia B, who as we saw today can be pretty flaky, Samoa's recent record is pretty poor. They lost against Tonga and Fiji in July... who as we have seen over the last week aren't exactly brilliant teams themselves.

3.) Wales have a poor record against Samoa but we usually play a weaker team against them. We still beat them two years ago with our second string side.

4.) We've been beaten by Fiji and Samoa in the World Cup before but they've been 'shock' victories. Wales didn't take them seriously and paid the price. They're taking this game very seriously.

5.) Samoa are playing two games in five days, and will probably be fairly knackered. The haka should take a bit more out of them.

6.) A few of their players got injured against Namibia and haven't trained properly over the last few days.

7.) Putting 49 points on Namibia isn't much of an achievement. Fiji managed that and got tonked by the same margin by SA today.

8.) Samoa didn't show much discipline against Namibia. A better team would have punished them for that.

9.) I wouldn't be surprised if Warren Gatland had spent more time planning for this game that he did for the South Africa game, given that his job pretty much depends on victory.

10.) This Welsh team is the best we've had for as long as I can remember. If we can come withing a point to South Africa we should be able to put 30 on Samoa.

Of course I could be eating my hat at 6am tomorrow morning... :lol:
 
The fiji/tonga matches, for Samoa, was their B/C side, as their A side was in Australia preparing for the Australia game



I wouldn't go as far as to say that Samoa are favourites, in my mind it's probably 60/40 to Wales, though a Samoan win wouldn't surprise me in the slightest
 
The fiji/tonga matches, for Samoa, was their B/C side, as their A side was in Australia preparing for the Australia game
Ok, then allow me to add '11.) The team never play together' to the list. :p

If Wales do manage a win here and against Fiji losing the SA game by a point could be a blessing in disguise. We would only have to beat Ireland and England to get to the final, a difficult enough task but much more 'do-able' than beating Australia and NZ, especially for a team that seems to have a mental block when playing SH teams.
 
Aye, that is a problem with the PI sides - They never really have enough time togther throughout the season
 
Can't see Wales losing this one. You'd think Samoa were favourites the way some pundits are talking about this match.

1.) Samoa are at about the same level as Italy in the IRB tables. There's a reason for that. Wales do lose against Italy once in a blue moon, but 8/10 times we beat them.

This samoa team is miles ahead of italy you know nothing about this team like i know nothing about the welsh team. So for me personally it think the manu team man for man a better than wales.

2.) Apart from beating Australia B, who as we saw today can be pretty flaky, Samoa's recent record is pretty poor. They lost against Tonga and Fiji in July... who as we have seen over the last week aren't exactly brilliant teams themselves.
None of the players in the Aus game squad played against Fiji or Tonga in the the PAC rim , the b an c team played well and if it wasn't for some dodgy calls by Tongan an Fijian local assistant referees Samoa could of won those games.
3.) Wales have a poor record against Samoa but we usually play a weaker team against them. We still beat them two years ago with our second string side.
Apart from the 91 world cup Samoa have never ever fielded a team that you could call their strongest line up, they've never had the commitment by players and clubs refusing to release players. This team how ever could be considered the strongest available that Samoa has had the luxury of picking. Don't give me that welsh b team crap excluding 1 or 2 don't make it a b squad.

4.) We've been beaten by Fiji and Samoa in the World Cup before but they've been 'shock' victories. Wales didn't take them seriously and paid the price. They're taking this game very seriously.
Wales were not taking the games seriously? That''s one for the Tui billboard.

5.) Samoa are playing two games in five days, and will probably be fairly knackered. The haka should take a bit more out of them.
the schedule is f up but these guys have been in camp for the last 3 months and have plenty of rugby under their belts as most were given time in itm cup where some played 3 games in 8 days an some in 9 days they are fit side those games were a lot more physical than the game against Namibia. So these boys wont be that battered an bruised.

6.) A few of their players got injured against Namibia and haven't trained properly over the last few days.
Samoahave guys that can step in if needed but lucky for them the two injured players have recovered an will be playing this week.

7.) Putting 49 points on Namibia isn't much of an achievement. Fiji managed that and got tonked by the same margin by SA today.
Thrashing any team is an achievementyou can only play whats in front of you. This Fijian team was rubbish they were resting some key players as this is obviously a game they were not targeting as they feel they have better chance of knocking over both Samoa an Wales than beating the Boks

8.) Samoa didn't show much discipline against Namibia. A better team would have punished them for that.
Namibia deserve a lot credit for how they played in that game Samoa could of have easily put 70 odd on them.

9.) I wouldn't be surprised if Warren Gatland had spent more time planning for this game that he did for the South Africa game, given that his job pretty much depends on victory.
Trust me Wales were more focus on the South African game than any other game Gatland would of felt the same way most welsh fans like yourself think that Samoa is a given victory.

10.) This Welsh team is the best we've had for as long as I can remember. If we can come withing a point to South Africa we should be able to put 30 on Samoa.
Dont bet on it mate wales are not South Africa. A defeat can weigh heavenly on any teams minds, no matter how close it was against a top team how confident are wales really feeling? it was close game but the bottom line is they lost. Samoa are coming of a win regardless of who the opposition are they'll be entering this game full of confidence playing a team that lost the previous week.

Of course I could be eating my hat at 6am tomorrow morning... :lol:
Ill be gracious in victory or defeat:cool:
 
1.) Samoa are at about the same level as Italy in the IRB tables. There's a reason for that. Wales do lose against Italy once in a blue moon, but 8/10 times we beat them.

I wouldn't read too much into the rankings for the Pacific teams, as their ranking is affected by matches they play with a weakened side, like the Tongan match this year and the Japan match in October 2010

2.) Apart from beating Australia B, who as we saw today can be pretty flaky, Samoa's recent record is pretty poor. They lost against Tonga and Fiji in July... who as we have seen over the last week aren't exactly brilliant teams themselves.

As Olyy mentioned a weakened team was played in those matches especially against Tonga, where only 7 of the starting XV made even the World Cup 30, and none of the starting XV for that match are first choice starters, the Pacific Nations Cup was mainly to decide the 30 man squad

3.) Wales have a poor record against Samoa but we usually play a weaker team against them. We still beat them two years ago with our second string side.

That is fair to say for the 2010 Autumn International against Fiji, where the likes of Deiniol Jones, Biggar and Richie Rees were starting and also the Samoa match in 2009, but the side that lost to Fiji in 2007 was the strongest side available

a lot has changed for Samoa since 2009, a lot of important players have pledged allegiance to Samoa such as Paul Williams, Kahn Fotuali'i, Anthony Perenise, Taiasina Tuifu'a, Ti'i Paulo, Tasesa Lavea and George Pisi at that time were all available and combine that with the re-availability of players like Alesana Tuilagi, Sailosi Tagicakibau, Tusi Pisi, Maurie Fa'asavalu all of whom hadn't played a single match for Samoa until this past year, this Samoa side is much stronger than that side in 2009


4.) We've been beaten by Fiji and Samoa in the World Cup before but they've been 'shock' victories. Wales didn't take them seriously and paid the price. They're taking this game very seriously.

I would probably say played the wrong game plan rather than not take the game seriously, you would have to ask the players and coaches to know whether they were taking the game seriously, but I'm sure they were and to say that isn't giving Fiji and Samoa the credit they deserved then to be honest

5.) Samoa are playing two games in five days, and will probably be fairly knackered.

Another bit of bad scheduling really, and Samoa's fitness has never been their strong point, Wales are as fit as ever and this could show after 65 minutes

6.) A few of their players got injured against Namibia and haven't trained properly over the last few days.

The Samoa coach, Fuimaono Tafua took a risk on playing his strongest XV against Namibia and now they've lost a very good forward in Tuifu'a, I think they should have rested a few players for that match and trusted the bench players such as Lemi, Paulo, Poluleuligaga, So'oialo and Salave'a them to beat Namibia, they paid for playing the best XV with two injuries

7.) Putting 49 points on Namibia isn't much of an achievement. Fiji managed that and got tonked by the same margin by SA today.

It's hard to judge teams by margin of thrashing, in 2007 Wales scored 72 points against Japan whilst Fiji only won by 4 points, yet we all know the result between Wales and Fiji, also Samoa massively took their foot off the pedal after they got past 40 points

8.) Samoa didn't show much discipline against Namibia. A better team would have punished them for that.

Yes, it was Samoa's indiscipline which cost them the match against Scotland in November, they really should have won that match and could be a big factor

9.) I wouldn't be surprised if Warren Gatland had spent more time planning for this game that he did for the South Africa game, given that his job pretty much depends on victory.

Yes, very true point

10.) This Welsh team is the best we've had for as long as I can remember. If we can come withing a point to South Africa we should be able to win by 30 against Samoa.

This is the fittest Wales team possibly, but you can't say the best, they played very boring rugby throughout the 6 Nations and were lucky to have three wins (Phillips' "try", Bergamasco's dire kicking)

since the 6N Wales have improved and got so much fitter, but to be the best they must finish off winnable matches, over the past year Wales have had chances to win against the big Southern Hemisphere nations and have blown three very good opportunities to beat South Africa in a row now, (summer 2010 16-3 in the lead, autumn 2010 17-6 in the lead, and again last weekend), also Wales could have beaten Australia in the autumn yet despite dominating the scrums and possession were unable to get the scoreboard ticking

to win by a 30 point margin against Samoa is very optimistic
 
This samoa team is miles ahead of italy you know nothing about this team like i know nothing about the welsh team. So for me personally it think the manu team man for man a better than wales.
How do you know they are 'miles ahead' of Italy if the first team never play together? Out of interest Italy won their last game against Samoa 24 - 6. Also if you know nothing about the Welsh team how do you know Samoa are better. :p
This is the fittest Wales team possibly, but you can't say the best, they played very boring rugby throughout the 6 Nations and were lucky to have three wins (Phillips' "try", Bergamasco's dire kicking)
Yes Wales played poorly in the 6 Nations, and in the warm up games, but they won. Just like SA played poorly last week and were 'lucky' to win. It's the mark of a 'good team' that your rugby is turgid drivel but you can grind out a win by hook or by crook, something England has been doing for years and Wales seem to be recognising now after decades of 'moral' victories.
Trust me Wales were more focus on the South African game than any other game Gatland would of felt the same way most welsh fans like yourself think that Samoa is a given victory.
I don't think Samoa is a 'given' victory at all - but I do think Wales should win. Wales are of course fully capable of losing as they've proven several times in the past. But whatever the quality of the team as induviduals the pacific islands just don't play together often enough and don't have the facilities to come together as a cohesive unit on the day.
 
I have a bad feeling about this one, I think Wales put in everything they had into beating SA and thats going to take its toll, the Samoans on the other hand had a much easier game coming into this match. I think Wales will win but I wont be surprised if Samoa pulls this one through.
 
Clean sheet gentleman! Forget the past, today is a new day and both teams will be amped. Samoa do have a huge fan base in Hamilton and Wales won't be short either.

A plus for Samoa is that they have had more than 8 weeks together unlike previous world cups and tours where they basically come together less than 2 weeks before. They look set and have gelled together nicely. Samoan scrum is a lot stronger than 2009. Set pieces have improved and they play are more structured game than both Fiji and Tonga. They still have the flair and like to put on the big hits on defence. This is why I think this Samoan team is the best we have seen in many years

I wouldn't call it an upset if Samoa wins. Fotuali'i to play a key role in this game.

Go Manu!!
 
If Samoa do the unthinkable (again) they have a real shot of making the semis. Not too sure whats going to happen but it's pretty stink Samoa have had such a short turn around between matches, I hope it doesn't have huge consequences late in the game but me thinks it might. Brain says the Welsh by no more than 10, heart says Samoa by anything as long as they win! GO SAMOA
 
Pre game stats for Wales v Samoa.
Kickers: Wales Hook 66% (4 from 6); Samoa Pisi 4 from 4, Williams 4 from 5 (80%).

Concerning RWC2011 Wales stats: Missing, on average, 1 in 6 tackle attempts, 19 lost possessions/turnovers (5 at the ruck, 7 handling errors) 5 penalties awarded (1 while in possession, 2 at the ruck). RWC2011 stats Wales want to continue:12 linebreaks, 6 offloads, 1 charge down, broke 29 tackle attempts (6 in the opposition's 22).

Concerning RWC2011 Samoa stats: Missing, on average, 1 in 6 tackle attempts, 11 lost possessions/turnovers (2at the ruck, 11 handling errors) 10 penalties awarded (3 while in possession, 6 at the ruck). RWC2011 stats Samoa want to continue: 15 linebreaks, 14 offloads, broke 40 tackles (16 in the opposition's 22). This was against Namibia remember!

Ref Rolland in RWC2011: yet to reset a scrum, 3 scrum infringements, 25 penalties awarded (16 at the ruck, 7 inside the 22, 7 for offside), 6 were penalties that ended up being kicks at the posts , 83% on left side. Rolland's RWC2011 ranking from 10 refs (1 most/highest): 1st for penalties awarded, 1st for ruck penalties, 3rd for scrum infringements, 2nd for offside penalties.
 
Most important stat: World cup results between Wales and Samoa, 0-2 :)
 
Right then :D I'm up, full day ahead :D :D Lets return the favor then Wales with a win :D Just for me :D
 
Horrible start for Samoa, really, really poor kicking the ball straight out
 
Classic Tasesa Lavea, please god please let Lavea start against Fiji next week :D
 
I want to see Wales In the playoffs !! come on Wales.... Anyone know any welsh Cheers ? ?? Although i like Samoa too so if Wales has to lose I prefer they do it against samoa :p you get the point
 
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Nervy start for us :( :( One frustrating sign for Wales is our slightly negative tactics in relation to penalties (and now drop goals). I know take all points available, but surely in terms of mental edge, the samoan side must gain confidence when they see us "chicken out" of trying to score by taking points???? Nice to see North and Roberts making some hard yards, more of the same from them. Hopefully we keep composure and can eliminate some of these unforced errors :D
 

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