Samoa World Cup Chances

d-gal

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samoa_national_rugby_union_team#Current_squad

Just looking at their provisional squad for the WC and it looks a serious outfit.
The pack looks like it is going to be one of the meanest in the tournament and the backs look class as well.
A team with Tekori, Stowers, Johnson, Lavea, Fa'asavalu, Fa'amatuainu, Tagicakibau, Mapusua, Henry and Al Tuilagi will surely cause any team problems?

People are saying Fiji might give SA and Wales a scare, I think these could be a massive threat to them both

BarackPyjama

I'd expect them to put up a fight against SA but I'd expect SA to win comfortably. I can see Samoa beating Wales.

Podge_irl

Their best chance is against Wales. They will need to rely on somewhat more then sheer physicality though. In general I would think Fiji are better equipped to come out of that group but their political situation makes that unlikely.

duckysauce

have backed them to reach 1/4 most of them play in nz so they will be very much at home , this group looks the most exciting.

ArmaniJeanss

The schedule is fairly tough for Samoa - as a lowly 4th place finisher last time they don't get a nice 'game every weekend' roster.

Opener is on a Wednesday v Namibia (no pushover as we know but they should win) and the first key game is against Fiji just 4 days later on the Sunday. Fiji will have played Namibia on the previous Saturday so will have double rest time.

Not unsurmountable by any means, but very unhelpful for them.

thomond2006

Wow that's a pretty strong squad!

Amazotheamazing

Impressive amount of New Zealand born players there, going by the wiki profiles. Amazing the English journalists who've no issue with England poaching players like to overlook the fact that loads and loads of the Island players are born and bred kiwi's. Course, they have Island heritage but numberswise, the NZ system gives far, far more back to the Islands than they receive.

wixfjord

Jesus, serious amount of what many would term "gamebreakers" in there.
The two Tualigi's, Lemi, Tagicakibau, Mapasaua, Sapolu, the two Johnstons, Paulo, Stowers etc, are all very good players.

The regular fall down of scrum, lineout and halfbacks aren't too bad either. Good front row, experienced second rows, and while the 9 and 10 may not be great (presume it'll be Foutali and Lavea), they're at least playing at a top level.

JustinDee

wixfjord wrote: »

The regular fall down of scrum, lineout and halfbacks aren't too bad either. Good front row, experienced second rows, and while the 9 and 10 may not be great (presume it'll be Foutali and Lavea), they're at least playing at a top level.

Foutali'i is one of the best halfbacks in NZ. Declaring for Samoa however put paid to any aspirations of making the grade even further there hence the move to Europe.

Gracelessly Tom

ArmaniJeanss wrote: »

The schedule is fairly tough for Samoa - as a lowly 4th place finisher last time they don't get a nice 'game every weekend' roster.

Opener is on a Wednesday v Namibia (no pushover as we know but they should win) and the first key game is against Fiji just 4 days later on the Sunday. Fiji will have played Namibia on the previous Saturday so will have double rest time.

Not unsurmountable by any means, but very unhelpful for them.

Very good point, the break time in between might just cost them as the squad will be stretched quite thin at times. Also, it's Namibia on the Wednesday and Wales on the Sunday, not Fiji. Only three days rest in between match days, would be great to see them get through.

Also, Tonga could pull a huge upset in Pool A, if they could summon up a big game and beat France in the final game they would qualify. (Presuming France don't beat NZ).

Gracelessly Tom

duckysauce wrote: »

have backed them to reach 1/4 most of them play in nz so they will be very much at home , this group looks the most exciting.

I think I'll have myself a slice of that!

profitius

Thats some group Wales are in. There could be fireworks in those matches! Anything could happen.

liam12989

2 connacht players and 1 former connacht player in that squad.surprized to see erza taylor in it..

PhatPiggins

JustinDee wrote: »

Foutali'i is one of the best halfbacks in NZ. Declaring for Samoa however put paid to any aspirations of making the grade even further there hence the move to Europe.

Yeah I thought he was class for the Crusaders last season. Hasn't got as much game time this year but I'd have him over Ellis 8 times out of 10

JustinDee

liam12989 wrote: »

2 connacht players and 1 former connacht player in that squad.surprized to see erza taylor in it..

He was never going to make an Aussie or Kiwi side so he took next best thing, I'd say.

Stev_o

PhatPiggins wrote: »

Yeah I thought he was class for the Crusaders last season. Hasn't got as much game time this year but I'd have him over Ellis 8 times out of 10

Too bad he's been fairly muck this season with the Crusaders when he's gotten his chances.

Islander teams always seem to do better in the world cup and let's not forget how well Samoa have played against Wales, Ireland and England in the past 2 years.

irishbucsfan

7-1 to reach the QFs with BoyleSports.

Gonna put a fair bit on them.