Samoa - World Cup 2015 Discussion Thread

[TRF_stormer2010]

Samoa name wider training squad of 58 player 20 of which are to be dropped to form a 38 man squad to face the All Blacks in eary June and for the Pacific Nations Cup;

Samoa squad:
Forwards: Albert Anae (Treviso), Aniseko Sio (Leicester Tigers), Anthony Perenise (Bristol), Jake Grey (Samoa A), James Johnston (Saracens), Logovii Mulipola (Leicester Tigers), Sakaria Taulafo (Stade Francais), Viliamu Afatia (Agen), Andrew Williams (Samoa A), Maatulimanu Leiataua (Aurillac), Tii Paulo (Clermont), Wayne Ole Avei (Bordeaux), Teofilo Paulo (Cardiff Blues), Maselino Paulino (Samoa A), Kane Thompson (Newcastle Falcons), Iosefa Tekori (Toulouse), Faatiga Lemalu (Sannix Blues), Daniel Leo (London Irish), Alafoti Faosiliva (Bath), Faifili Levave (Toyota), Francis Ieremia (Samoa A), Jack Lam (Bristol), Maurie Fa'asavalu (Oyonnax), Ofisa Treviranus (London Irish), Oneone Faafou (Samoa A), Peter Saili (Bordeaux), Peter Semeane (Samoa A), Taiasina Tuifua (Bordeaux), Tala James Ioane (Sale Sharks), Vavae Tuilagi (Carcassonne)
Backs: Jack Taulapapa (Wellington), Kahn Fotuali'i (Northampton), Peleifofoga Cowley (Auckland), Vavao Afemai (Samoa A), Michael Stanley (Ulster), Patrick Fa'apale (Samoa A), Tusiata Pisi (Suntory), Alapati Leiua (Wasps), Anitelea Tuilagi (Newcastle), Faialaga Afamasaga (Samoa A), Faleniu Iosi (Samoa A), George Pisi (Northampton), Johnny Leota (Sale), Reynold Lee Lo (Hurricanes), Winston Stanley (Northland), Ah See Tuala (Northampton), Alesana Tuilagi (Newcastle), Alofa Alofa (La Rochelle), David Lemi (Bristol), Ken Pisi (Northampton), Paul Perez (Natal Sharks), Sailosi Tagicakibau (Wasps), Sinoti Sinoti (Newcastle), Henry Suau'u (Samoa A), Faatoina Autagavaia (Nevers), Paul Williams (Stade Francais), Tim Nanai Williams (Chiefs), ***i Esau (Samoa A)

http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/Super15/Chiefs-flyer-in-Samoas-RWC-squad-20150429

Most exciting name there for me is that of Tim Nanai Williams who should be available for Manu Samoa after completing his last round with the 7's squad. He has been in sensational form for the Chiefs. I'd go as far as saying he was the difference for them when they beat us (the Stormers) in Cape Town. Him and Lowe were on fire. And coming back form a hand injury TNW isn't looking like letting up. Add his play-making and stepping to a traditionally abrsive Samoa... I can very easily see them them progress to the knock out rounds if he can inject himself into RWC games for Samoa as he has been doing for the Chiefs in SR.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

If the tight five can set a good platform then the loose forwards and backs could do some damage. Man for man they're probably better than Scotland.

6 Levave
7 Lam
8 Saili
9 Fotuali'i
10 Pisi
11 Tuilagi
12 Leuia
13 Lee-Lo
14 Nanai-Williams
15 Williams

 

[michaelbolton]

If the tight five can set a good platform then the loose forwards and backs could do some damage. Man for man they're probably better than Scotland.

6 Levave
7 Lam
8 Saili
9 Fotuali'i
10 Pisi
11 Tuilagi
12 Leuia
13 Lee-Lo
14 Nanai-Williams
15 Williams

If you have seen any premiership this season then Sinoti Sinoti has to start somewhere! I would go him on the wing and Nanai-Williams to 15... Also G Pisi and Leota both normally start over Lee-Lo and for what it is worth I would have them both in and Leuia in for Tuilagi who hasn't done much this season..
I would also say Treviranus in back row somewhere.. Apart from hooker they probably have a decent enough tight 5, Johnston and Mulipola 2 massive props then Thompson and Tekori at lock I would guess.

 

[TheSaffycen]

Yeah Sinoti is incredible in open spaces and makes them in tight ones. The best winger they have and would be impressive in a top team.
12.Leota
13.Pisi
11.Sinoti Sinoti
14.Alofa
15.Nanai Williams

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

He's so nice they named him twice.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Wonder if Mulipola will be seen as a TH or LH?

Prob a TH.

If they click Samoa IMO could beat Scotland.

Lock is a weakness though.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Wonder if Mulipola will be seen as a TH or LH?

Prob a TH.

If they click Samoa IMO could beat Scotland.

Lock is a weakness though.

I can't remember where he has played this season? Is it tight or loose? I've never seen him perform badly in the scrum though

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

He has played both depending on who is injured.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

SA vs Samoa always seems to turn ugly. Our last game togther ending up a Twilight zone episode for bizarre off the ball stuff. It would be nice if we could both face other opposition in the pool stages for once. That said them and Scotland are good preperation for the bruising encounters one would expect thereafter.

 

[TheSaffycen]

Wonder if Mulipola will be seen as a TH or LH?

Prob a TH.

If they click Samoa IMO could beat Scotland.

Lock is a weakness though.

Tekori is pretty underrated, good over the ball and is a big unit. Not sure who locks with him though, possibly Thompson but I would probably just move a tall back rower there like Leo but hopefully better.

 

[Irishkid]

Treviranus and Paulo aren't bad locks

 

[Maxwell]

1. Taulafo
2. Matu'u
3. Mulipola
4. Paulo
5. Tekori
6. Thompson
7. Ioane
8. Tuifua
9. Fotualii
10. Pisi
11. Sinoti
12. Pisi
13. Williams
14. Perez
15. Autagavia

16. Ole Avei
17. Perenise
18. Johnston
19. Lemalu
20. Treviranus
21. Cowley
22. Nanai Williams

We have lost Tii Paulo & Dan Leo both of whom were essentially discarded despite being available and have now retired as a result. the politics for the peoples team continues unabated

 

[nickdnz]

1. Taulafo
2. Matu'u
3. Mulipola
4. Paulo
5. Tekori
6. Thompson
7. Ioane
8. Tuifua
9. Fotualii
10. Pisi
11. Sinoti
12. Pisi
13. Williams
14. Perez
15. Autagavia

16. Ole Avei
17. Perenise
18. Johnston
19. Lemalu
20. Treviranus
21. Cowley
22. Nanai Williams

We have lost Tii Paulo & Dan Leo both of whom were essentially discarded despite being available and have now retired as a result. the politics for the peoples team continues unabated

Pretty sure Matu'u hasn't made himself available for Samoa. Still a possible option for the All Blacks.

 

[aucklander]

Pretty sure Matu'u hasn't made himself available for Samoa. Still a possible option for the All Blacks.

Matu'u has declared his allegiance for Samoa. This is my starting 15 for WC. Leiua is a big loss for Samoa
1. Taulafo
2. Matu'u
3. Mulipola
4. Paulo
5. Tekori
6. Ioane
7. Lam
8. Tuifua
9. Fotualii
10. Nanai Williams
11. Sinoti
12. G.Pisi
13. Rey Lee lo
14. Alofa Alofa
15. P.Williams

16. Ole Avei
17. Perenise
18. Johnston
19. M.Faasavalu
20. Treviranus
21. T.Pisi
22. K.Pisi