Internationals SAMOA RLWC 2017 Campaign

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SAMOA RLWC 2017 Campaign
Toa Samoa



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Samoa squad
source: https://www.nrl.com/lafai-winterstein-into-samoa-squad/tabid/10874/newsid/113769/default.aspx

Frank Pritchard (captain)
Bunty Afoa
Leeson Ah Mau
Faámanu Brown
Herman Ese’ese
Pita Godinet
Tim Lafai
Joey Leilua
Ricky Leutele
Sam Lisone
Jarome Luai
Suaia Matagi
Peter Mata’utia
Ken Maumalo
Zane Musgrove
Josh Papalii
Joseph Paulo
Junior Paulo
Ben Roberts
Sam Tagataese
Jazz Tevaga
Young Tonumaipea
Frank Winterstein
Matthew Wright

Sam Kasiano out injured. Jarome Luai yet to make his first grade debut, plays in the halves, played for the Junior Kiwis earlier this year. Interested to know whether Junior Paulo was approached about playing for the Kiwis. Would've been a better selection ahead of JWH.

 

[AlexM]

Why the double asterisk with jazz?

 

[mt.wellington]

Pity Anthony Milford, Josh McGuire, Isaac Liu, Sione Mata'utia and Tautau Moga aren't there. Still a fairly strong team but wont trouble the Kiwis. Regardless of the team they will always give MMT a good run. History demands it.

Imagine if Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Nelson Asofa-Solomona choose to play for Samoa. Surprised Ben Matulino didn't put his hand up...

 

[PNG Kiwi]

I lived in Samoa for a while and coached one of the teams we were unbeaten and played another unbeaten team trained by a Samoan whose brother was the NZ boxing coach
To cut a long story short we were 2 points behind with 1 minutes to go I called an early kick in our last set and it was executed perfectly, and a perfect coat hanger tackle made on the kicker by the opposition.
If only the boys had followed through we would have one, but instead all hell broke loose an all for all including fans I was dumb enough to try and stop it but once I got a couple around the ears decided to get out of there.
Whats this got to do with the world cup, just to say this is just below the surface

 

[mt.wellington]

I lived in Samoa for a while and coached one of the teams we were unbeaten and played another unbeaten team trained by a Samoan whose brother was the NZ boxing coach
To cut a long story short we were 2 points behind with 1 minutes to go I called an early kick in our last set and it was executed perfectly, and a perfect coat hanger tackle made on the kicker by the opposition.
If only the boys had followed through we would have one, but instead all hell broke loose an all for all including fans I was dumb enough to try and stop it but once I got a couple around the ears decided to get out of there.
Whats this got to do with the world cup, just to say this is just below the surface

All polys including Maori are very tribal. Even amongst each other. Usually teams align to tribes, villages or colleges and it gets warlike at times. No where near the likes of PNG but only the bible has stopped them being worse lol...

 

[bruce]

All polys including Maori are very tribal.

Ever heard of "pa wars", in the 21st century I mean.

 

[warriors4eva]

Hamilton putting on a festival a couple of hours before the game in hamilton against Tonga just outside the stadium.

Food stalls, live music

Also a Samoan / Tongan church service on the sunday afternoon has been advertised

 

[kiwileaguefan]

Just got my tickets for the Kiwis vs Samoa test....looks like only about 7,500 tickets sold so far.

 

[Jamma]

Just got my tickets for the Kiwis vs Samoa test....looks like only about 7,500 tickets sold so far.

Whaaaaat? Why so low? Very disappointing. I was hoping it would be a sellout. A travesty if this doesnt at least get close to a sell out. Be a cracker of a match. I think the 2 Hamilton games are going to sell out here.

Forget the Warriors season and pick up ya game Auckland!

 

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[mt.wellington]

Just got my tickets for the Kiwis vs Samoa test....looks like only about 7,500 tickets sold so far.

Just goes to show that a lot of people who act Kiwis hard dont actually really support the team at all lol. I got tickets to this game last year...

 

[Duh herro]

Just goes to show that a lot of people who act Kiwis hard dont actually really support the team at all lol. I got tickets to this game last year...

Samoans like backing winners. (Hence why you see a lot of Storm not Titans jerseys in Apia.) I don't doubt their is some apprehension going to a match we will probably get beaten in. Probably badly as well. Doesn't mean we wont be cheering my fucking heart out for them though, just maybe not inside the stadium. Don't know about Kiwis fans. Although I do have a jersey hidden at the back should I need to use it.

 

[mt.wellington]

Samoans like backing winners. (Hence why you see a lot of Storm not Titans jerseys in Apia.) I don't doubt their is some apprehension going to a match we will probably get beaten in. Probably badly as well. Doesn't mean we wont be cheering my fucking heart out for them though, just maybe not inside the stadium. Don't know about Kiwis fans. Although I do have a jersey hidden at the back should I need to use it.

Same goes for NZers. They only back winners and most know the Kiwis are going to bomb. Last time I watched Kiwis vs Samoa at Mt Smart it was 4:1 Samoans to Kiwi fans. Despite the fact that they lost their fans made that game a memorable one. Looks like the Sa's are gonna have to do it again as most NZers wont be arsed getting there...

 

[Brother Faisal]

Same goes for NZers. They only back winners and most know the Kiwis are going to bomb. Last time I watched Kiwis vs Samoa at Mt Smart it was 4:1 Samoans to Kiwi fans. Despite the fact that they lost their fans made that game a memorable one. Looks like the Sa's are gonna have to do it again as most NZers wont be arsed getting there...

True.

 

[Duh herro]

What do you think our chances in our pool? Given that Milford (Macca's), Mata'utia (concussion?) and Maguire (Kangaroo's) are all not playing for us now. I think that Papalii will have to play a key role in this team as well as Pritchard and Leilua in helping us out of the pool. Looking at the other teams, will we even beat Tonga? They are Slightly stacked atm. Then there is Scotland who are no easy beats themselves. Also the small fact we have to play the Kiwis.

Small added question, is qualification for each pool top 3 or top 2?

 

[Selector]

What do you think our chances in our pool? Given that Milford (Macca's), Mata'utia (concussion?) and Maguire (Kangaroo's) are all not playing for us now. I think that Papalii will have to play a key role in this team as well as Pritchard and Leilua in helping us out of the pool. Looking at the other teams, will we even beat Tonga? They are Slightly stacked atm. Then there is Scotland who are no easy beats themselves. Also the small fact we have to play the Kiwis.

Small added question, is qualification for each pool top 3 or top 2?

Top 3 for Pool A and B expecting Samoa to lose to New Zealand. For all the hype around Tonga would not be surprised if Toa Samoa beats them. Milford is a big loss but expecting Fa'amanu Brown to step up. Surprised that he's never really got a look in when it comes to the Kiwis. Will start to live up to his potential at the dogs next year in my opinon.

 

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[jonesy101]

The Maumalo combination with Leilua will be interesting to watch. Leilua sets up Rapana on the left so well when playing for the Raiders so am looking forward to seeing what opportunities he gives Ken. Might give us some real insight into Ken's ability to play on the wing next year and into the future.

 

[Brother Faisal]

Suprise Ricky Leutele didnt get a starting centre spot, think hes alot better than Lafai. Beale and takairangi will have a tough night ahead of them for sure.