Samoa name team for Europe Tour Nov 2012

[aucklander]

Manu Samoa Northern Hemisphere Tour Team 2012.

1. Sakaria Taulafo - UK
2. Logovii Mulipola â€" UK
3. Census Johnston â€" FRA
4. Viliamu Afatia â€" FRA
5. Tii Paulo â€" FRA
6. Ole Avei â€" FRA
7. Daniel Leo â€" FRA
8. Faatiga Lemalu â€" NZ
9. Joe Tekori â€" FRA
10. Filo Paulo â€" NZ
11. Taiasina Tuifu’a â€" UK
12. Ofisa Treviranus â€" UK
13. Maurie Faasavalu â€" UK
14. Tivani Foma’I â€" NZ
15. Kane Thompson â€" JPN
16. Ropeti Lafo
17. Kahn Fotualii â€" Wales
18. Jeremy Su’a â€" NZ
19. Auvasa Falealii â€" NZ
20. Tusi Pisi â€" JPN
21. Ki Anufe â€" NZ
22. Setaimata Sa â€" UK
23. Seilala Mapusua â€" JPN
24. Paul Williams â€"UK
25. Robert Lilomaiava â€" Samoa
26. David Lemi â€" UK - Captain
27. Reupenna Levasa â€" Samoa
28. Paul Perez â€" SA
29. Faatoina Autagavaia â€" NZ
30. Alesana Tuilagi â€" JPN

Management: - Head Coach Stephan Betham
Team Manager Namulauulu Sami Leota
Assistant Coach (Backs)Daryl Suasua
Assistant Coach (Fwds)Tom Coventry
Scrum Coach Mike Casey
Defense Coach Greg Smith
Attack & Mentor Pat Lam
Performance Analyst Marcus Agnew
Video Analyst Junior Narayan
Doctor Sean Mauiliu
Physiotherapist Matt Taylor
Trainer Mike Deasley.

 

[aucklander]

Here is my starting lineup from that list.
1. Sakaria Taulafo - UK
2. Tii Paulo – FRA
3. Census Johnston – FRA
4. Daniel Leo – FRA
5. Filo Paulo – NZ
6. Taiasina Tuifu'a – UK
7. Maurie Faasavalu – UK
8. Joe Tekori – FRA
9. Kahn Fotualii – Wales
10. Tusi Pisi – JPN
11. Alesana Tuilagi – JPN
12. Seilala Mapusua – JPN
13. Setaimata Sa – UK
14. David Lemi – UK - Captain
15. Paul Williams –UK

 

[Darwin]

Pretty strong looking squad. You would think that they would be too strong for Canada, and though they will definitely be underdogs against Wales and France they have the players to really push either side on their day.

 

[aucklander]

It's good to see young players like Filo Paulo put up his hand for the samoan team, whatever happened to Chris Lowrey?

 

[Darwin]

It's good to see young players like Filo Paulo put up his hand for the samoan team, whatever happened to Chris Lowrey?

Lowrey has signed to play in Japan. I would have thought he would have been included in this squad if he was fit..

 

[TRF_Olyy]

22. Setaimata Sa – UK

Now that is a surprise!
He hasn't joined up with Not Nots yet, so his first taste of pro rugby union could well be a test match

 

[Sam Owen]

Here is my starting lineup from that list.
1. Sakaria Taulafo - UK
2. Tii Paulo – FRA
3. Census Johnston – FRA
4. Daniel Leo – FRA
5. Filo Paulo – NZ
6. Taiasina Tuifu'a – UK
7. Maurie Faasavalu – UK
8. Joe Tekori – FRA
9. Kahn Fotualii – Wales
10. Tusi Pisi – JPN
11. Alesana Tuilagi – JPN
12. Seilala Mapusua – JPN
13. Setaimata Sa – UK
14. David Lemi – UK - Captain
15. Paul Williams –UK

Mean team but Lemi as captain?...

 

[Super Sub]

Here is my starting lineup from that list.
1. Sakaria Taulafo - UK
2. Tii Paulo â€" FRA
3. Census Johnston â€" FRA
4. Daniel Leo â€" FRA
5. Filo Paulo â€" NZ
6. Taiasina Tuifu’a â€" UK
7. Maurie Faasavalu â€" UK
8. Joe Tekori â€" FRA
9. Kahn Fotualii â€" Wales
10. Tusi Pisi â€" JPN
11. Alesana Tuilagi â€" JPN
12. Seilala Mapusua â€" JPN
13. Setaimata Sa â€" UK
14. David Lemi â€" UK - Captain
15. Paul Williams â€"UK

Some odd selections in there.

Lemalu and Thompson are better locks than Paulo and Leo, and are likely to be the starters.

Can't see Tekori at 8 as he's never really played 8 for Samoa. He's pretty much been locked on the bench for a few years now. 8 will most likely go to Treviranus.

Sa is very unlikely to be a starter, as he is pretty much unproven in rugby, let alone at Test level. The midfield is likely to be Mapusua and Williams.

I'm pretty sure Autagavaia will retain the 15 jersey after his performances in the PNC and Scotland match.

I think Perez might get the wing spot ahead of Tuilagi, but can easily see if Tuilagi is selected ahead of him.

 

[Super Sub]

Mean team but Lemi as captain?...

Pretty good captain, actually. He was the Captain in the PNC and Scotland match.

 

[Sam Owen]

Pretty good captain, actually. He was the Captain in the PNC and Scotland match.

Oh ok, maybe I should'nt be quick to doubt winger captains.

 

[Canucks]

The Canada game will be a bit rough. Samoa is looking just a little too strong for Canada.

Could even see a scalp during this tour.

 

[Super Sub]

I don't really know how Canada have been going lately, so I can't really say how we'd go against you guys.

I'm excited about our chances against France and Wales. It's the first time I've ever felt so confident going into a Tour.

 

[Sam Owen]

Canadas good, it'll be a tough game. The good thing is our team knows this so they will turn up with absolute respect.

 

[rusty_lock]

Having not seen the Canada team that's touring it is hard say exactly how we are going to go. I'm not sure who is available, not hurt or being held back for 7's at the end of November. That being said I suspect that even if we had our ideal lineup Im not sure that we would have more than an outside chance against them. We,ll turn up and we,ll compete and we won,t just mail it in but Samoa is definitely stronger. Samoa is my favourite PI rugby nation and one I regularily root for. They are doing a lot right right now and they have total respect right now and are very close moving up to Tier one status, in my book anyway.

 

[Sam Owen]

Having not seen the Canada team that's touring it is hard say exactly how we are going to go. I'm not sure who is available, not hurt or being held back for 7's at the end of November. That being said I suspect that even if we had our ideal lineup Im not sure that we would have more than an outside chance against them. We,ll turn up and we,ll compete and we won,t just mail it in but Samoa is definitely stronger. Samoa is my favourite PI rugby nation and one I regularily root for. They are doing a lot right right now and they have total respect right now and are very close moving up to Tier one status, in my book anyway.

I like your post, so much truth. Please accept my friendship invitation.

 

[Hulk Hogan]

I'm one quarter samoan, I love my samoan family relations ^_^ Hope they do well on this tour.

 

[LittleGuy]

It will be interesting to see how Samoa approach the Canadian game, will it be a warm up for the top squad going into the tougher tests, or will it be an oppourtunity to get some of the other players on the field and see what they can do. I assume Canada will be fielding the best possible side though I have to concur with Rusty on waiting to see how the squad shapes up, it will be tough either way though not totally impossible for Canada to win if they play to their very best.

I think Canada should name there tour roster sometime next week once the ARC and 7's performances have been evaluated by the coaching staff and overseas players are contacted on their availability.

 

[aucklander]

Always good to see the tier two nations getting game time and chances to play tier 1 nations. With all that said I hope all tier two nations do well with their tours. Lets hope for some upsets. By the way good to see young players putting up their hands for national team and not leaving it till late. Also pat lam on board with his experience is good. Player to watch setaimata sa

 

[Super Sub]

Sa's selection is odd, maybe they think France will be interested in him if he becomes good at rugby, so would rather get him ineligible now. Since the games are so important with ranking spots on the line, it would've been best to have selected Pisi or Leota before taking a punt on a Leaguie. Doubt he'd get much game-time anyway - might get a cameo off the bench against Canada.

 

[UilamOsa]

Sa's selection is odd, maybe they think France will be interested in him if he becomes good at rugby, so would rather get him ineligible now. Since the games are so important with ranking spots on the line, it would've been best to have selected Pisi or Leota before taking a punt on a Leaguie. Doubt he'd get much game-time anyway - might get a cameo off the bench against Canada.

Wow. I'd always thought he had the skills (in league) but do you seriously think he'd be French Rugby test match worthy? Don't watch too much Super League so he hasn't been on my Radar since his Rooster days.