Are Samoa the best rugby nation in the world per head of population?

Pisco Sour

Looking back at their history through the World Cup and it is quite remarkable how this tiny nation of 180,000 people has punched above their weight.

They weren't invited in 1987, but in 1991 they beat Wales in Cardiff, and only lost to the eventual winners Australia by 6 points, and eventually went out in the quarter finals.

In 1995 they made the quarter finals again, ahead of Italy and Argentina. In 1999 they again beat Wales in Cardiff before going out in the quarter final playoffs.

In 2003 they gave that fantastic England team the fright of their lives and remarkeably led for 60 minutes of the game before England finished very strongly to rescue the game.

2007 was their one poor World Cup, but 2011 they have again showed how strong they are. Narrowly beaten (and a touch unlucky) by a very decent Wales team, and then ran the Boks very close last night.

I find it amazing that a country so tiny can excel so well on the world stage. It doesn't bare thinking how good they would be if they had a reasonably sized population, and if there wasn't such a huge emmigration of talented young players to New Zealand.

thomond2006

A lot of the players in Samoa's squad were born in New Zealand. I think that's important to note.

basillarkin

thomond2006 wrote: »

A lot of the players in Samoa's squad were born in New Zealand. I think that's important to note.

For example?

ormond lad

thomond2006 wrote: »

A lot of the players in Samoa's squad were born in New Zealand. I think that's important to note.

basillarkin wrote: »

For example?

15 in total

Census Johnston (Auckland, New Zealand), Anthony Perenise (Wellington, New Zealand), Olé Avei (Wellington, New Zealand), Daniel Leo (Palmerston North, New Zealand), Kane Thompson (Paraparaumu, New Zealand), Kahn Fotuali'i (Auckland, New Zealand), Jeremy Sua (Wellington, New Zealand), Tusi Pisi (Auckland, New Zealand), Sailosi Tagicakibau (Auckland, New Zealand), James So'oialo (Wellington, New Zealand), Ti'i Paulo (Christchurch, New Zealand), Filipo Lavea Levi (Hamilton, New Zealand), Junior Poluleuligaga (Auckland, New Zealand), Tasesa Lavea (Taihape, New Zealand), Paul Williams (Auckland, New Zealand)

Read more: http://www.3news.co.nz/Born-here-to-play-there-RWC-2011-squads-chocker-with-Kiwis/tabid/1534/articleID/224687/Default.aspx#ixzz1ZU1Y4HzY

basillarkin

ormond lad wrote: »

15 in total

Census Johnston (Auckland, New Zealand), Anthony Perenise (Wellington, New Zealand), Olé Avei (Wellington, New Zealand), Daniel Leo (Palmerston North, New Zealand), Kane Thompson (Paraparaumu, New Zealand), Kahn Fotuali'i (Auckland, New Zealand), Jeremy Sua (Wellington, New Zealand), Tusi Pisi (Auckland, New Zealand), Sailosi Tagicakibau (Auckland, New Zealand), James So'oialo (Wellington, New Zealand), Ti'i Paulo (Christchurch, New Zealand), Filipo Lavea Levi (Hamilton, New Zealand), Junior Poluleuligaga (Auckland, New Zealand), Tasesa Lavea (Taihape, New Zealand), Paul Williams (Auckland, New Zealand)

Read more: http://www.3news.co.nz/Born-here-to-play-there-RWC-2011-squads-chocker-with-Kiwis/tabid/1534/articleID/224687/Default.aspx#ixzz1ZU1Y4HzY

Cheers, I knew Williams was one, I thought the Pisi were born in Samoa, just like the team that Jack built so?

Pisco Sour

basillarkin wrote: »

Cheers, I knew Williams was one, I thought the Pisi were born in Samoa, just like the team that Jack built so?

Well I wouldn't begrudge them given the fact so many Samoans have played for the All Blacks down the years. The same goes for Fiji and Tonga.

wonton

and england now with manu, who has been a great player for them so far.

Corsendonk

Good Genetics, even looking at its neighbour American Samoa they punch above there size

Wiki

About 30 ethnic Samoans, many from American Samoa, currently play in the National Football League (NFL). A 2002 article from[estimated that a Samoan male (either an American Samoan, or a Samoan living in the 50 United States) is 40 times more likely to play in the NFL than a non-Samoan American.

Ardillaun

ormond lad wrote: »

15 in total

Census Johnston (Auckland, New Zealand), Anthony Perenise (Wellington, New Zealand), Olé Avei (Wellington, New Zealand), Daniel Leo (Palmerston North, New Zealand), Kane Thompson (Paraparaumu, New Zealand), Kahn Fotuali'i (Auckland, New Zealand), Jeremy Sua (Wellington, New Zealand), Tusi Pisi (Auckland, New Zealand), Sailosi Tagicakibau (Auckland, New Zealand), James So'oialo (Wellington, New Zealand), Ti'i Paulo (Christchurch, New Zealand), Filipo Lavea Levi (Hamilton, New Zealand), Junior Poluleuligaga (Auckland, New Zealand), Tasesa Lavea (Taihape, New Zealand), Paul Williams (Auckland, New Zealand)

Read more: http://www.3news.co.nz/Born-here-to-play-there-RWC-2011-squads-chocker-with-Kiwis/tabid/1534/articleID/224687/Default.aspx#ixzz1ZU1Y4HzY

OK, so let's say we are drawing from a modestly sized Samoan diaspora as well - their performances are still highly impressive given the lack of investment in the national team and playing time together.

The commentators remarked on the large number of exiled South Africans who were cheering on their team. Well, the rest of the rugby world was rooting for Samoa.

laugh

If you really love Irish Rugby lads, you need to find yourself a Samoan woman!

Pisco Sour

Lets not forget that they had to play Wales 4 days after their first game while Wales had a 8 day break. Hardly fair. With equal treatment Samoa would be in the quarter finals right now. Same with Tonga who had to rest 14 guys against Canada because the game was just a few days after NZ game. The scheduling is grossly unfair on the small nations.

duckysauce

very true and why was owens reffing the match

CatFromHue

Why would anyone be a ref? Owens is getting dogs abuse!

Stev_o

CatFromHue wrote: »

Why would anyone be a ref? Owens is getting dogs abuse!

The red card was ****ing ridiculous though. The excessive moaning however was OTT.

CatFromHue

Wasn't the red card the touch judges call though?

Why would you whack some guy in the face after he has been shouting at the touch judge to get his attention? Moronic is one word that springs to mind!