Where are we from the RWC?

Last night we watch the Wallabies fought from behind and beat world number one team All Blacks, 20 – 15. It was one of the best games of rugby I have ever seen. In the past two weeks the South Africans beat Wallabies and in a close match. The All Blacks managed to break the defense of the Springboks and claim victory in South Africa last week. Now we have been watching some great footballs and great display of the oval ball. That was the Tri-Nations in its best! This teams like the All Blacks, Springboks and the Wallabies just started there tournaments.

The big question is; where is our Manu Samoa, Flying Fijian and Ikale Tahi now? Last week we witnessed a great display of rugby from Samoa and Fiji but Tonga was two weeks ago. However, we have 70 more days then Samoa will play South Africa, but 3 days on then Tonga will play USA and Fiji will play against Japan. Are we going to play any more games from now on?

I know the answer will be a big “NO”! According to sources we the Pacific Islanders will play against top rugby club teams in France weeks before the tournament. Will the All Blacks, Wallabies and Springboks play top French club teams before the Rugby World Cup? No I don’t think so, that is why rugby will never beat Soccer. The oval game will never be globalizing if we continue to play the same practice.

The only thing I can recommend is teams like our Island teams can make a move and get to have another Triangular Series for us before we reach the RWC. We need to play professional 80 minutes from now on to prepare our teams. If we only play club teams then we will never ever match the like of All Blacks, Wallabies and Springboks.

I only hope we see our Island teams perform well in the RWC and one team from our region make it to the quarterfinals. If we all have a early exit then we should have a Tier One and Tier Two Rugby World Cup. We should have two world cups because I believe Samoa, Tonga and Fiji only come close but not close enough.

Come on Flying Fijians, Ikale Tahi and Manu Samoa. Let’s all go and make a change in this coming Rugby World Cup. You all need to believe in yourselves and have confidence you guys can do it.

Good Luck to our Island boys

World Cup is the Focus

SAMOA

2007 Pool: A (England, South Africa, USA, Tonga)

World Ranking: 10

Key players: Alesani Tuilagi, Cencus Johnston

A proud rugby nation whose players seem genetically designed for the physical challenges of the sport.

Samoa are always a threat due to their powerful running and uncompromising defence. Few teams enjoy facing Samoa as they always leave the field bumped and bruised and knowing they have been in a difficult game.

Announced themselves to the rugby world at the 1991 RWC when they reached the quarter-finals before going down to Scotland at Murrayfield. Wing Brian Lima, known as the 'Chiropractor' due to his bone-crunching tackles, was one of the players of the tournament.

Having also reached the quarter-finals in 1995, Samoa's finest RWC moment arguably came four years later when they defeated hosts Wales 38-31 at the Millennium Stadium for a spot in the quarter-final play-offs.

Then known as Western Samoa, the victory led to one Welsh commentator delivering the immortal line: "If that's what Western Samoa can do to us, thank God we didn't play the whole of Samoa!"

Samoa gave England a huge scare in their pool clash at the 2003 tournament when they led for more than 50 minutes thanks to some breathtaking rugby, probably the finest in their history. England's superior fitness eventually told as they won 35-22, but it was a victory had earned.

Samoa were unable to progress from a tough pool in 2003 that also included South Africa and they have again been drawn with the two powerhouses in 2007.

Because of this they are unlikely to make it to the quarter-finals but both England and South Africa will not take them lightly.

Coached by legendary All Black flanker Michael Jones, Samoa have been looking to develop a more structured game to compliment their renowned running skills.

Prop Cencus Johnston adds stability to their front row, along with his powerhouse running, while Alesani Tuilagi is a wrecking-ball of a wing that can cause problems for any team. Just ask Gloucester, who were on the end of a devastating performance by the Leicester favourite in the English Premiership final.

Also dangerous on the other wing is David Limi, who proved one of the most lethal finishers with Bristol in last season's Premiership.

This summer, Samoa were beaten 35-8 away to South Africa and finished third in the Pacific Nations Cup with three wins from five games.

Rugby World Cup Record

2003: Pool stage

1999: Quarter-final play-off

1995: Quarter-finals

1991: Quarter-finals

1987: Did not participate

Legend Lima Bows Out

His story began seventeen years ago.
Su’a Peter Schuster and Manu Samoa selectors were scouting schools, looking at potential wingers for the Rugby World Cup in 1991.
One day, they were at St Joseph’s College, Alafua.
“We saw this young, fast and strong player,” Su’a recalled. “We were very impressed with his speed, especially his attitude.”
That same year, Manu Samoa great Lilomaiava Taufusi Salesa, coach of the Sevens team then, was looking for players for the Hong Kong Sevens, during the Marist International Sevens tournament.
“He was playing in the Marist Saints team,” Lilomaiava said, joking that the Saints was a team of B-grade players.
“If I may put it this way, the Saints wasn’t Marist’s strongest team. Yet this very young and talented player was part of that team.
“I was very impressed with his attitude,” Lilomaiava said.
That young man with blistering speed and the attitude of a champion was Brian Lima.
1990 was when he was discovered at the tender age of 18.

GREAT PLAYER

Seventeen years on, the young man discovered by Su’a and Lilomaiava has grown to become the greatest rugby player of all time in Samoa .
At 35-years-young, Lima, of Letogo, is not only widely respected by all Samoans; his name is right up there with some of the rugby greats worldwide.
No matter where you go in rugby circles, the name Brian Lima demands respect.
For good reason. At the 1991 Rugby World Cup where Samoa recorded that famous win over Wales, Lima was the youngest player in the tournament.
Over the years, he has earned the utmost respect of players all over the world.
After all, they don’t call him the “The Chiropractor” for no reason. Lima’s shuddering hits on defence can rearrange the bones of players at the receiving end.
His most famous hit was perhaps the one where he lined up Springboks five eighth Derrick Hougaard during the Rugby World Cup in 2003. Hougaard stayed on the ground for a while, dazed.
“That was a car accident,” one commentator said.
Many players have felt Lima’s wrath. Christian Cullen would remember his debut for the All Blacks against Manu Samoa some years ago. And who can forget the sight of Fijian fullback Norman Ligairi limping off with a bloody nose after he was ransacked by Lima at Apia Park a few years ago?
During Jonah Lomu’s prime, while most players were running scared to tackle the rampaging All Black, Lima was one of the first players to tackle him one-on-one in a test match, and brought him to the ground.

SUPER RUGBY

But Lima’s qualities stretched far beyond the 15s arena. He has represented Samoa many times at Sevens level.
And he has played rugby all over the world starting with Super rugby in New Zealand, then Europe, Japan and this year for Bristol.
He is one of relatively few players in rugby history to have appeared in four Rugby World Cups. In September, he will make history by becoming the only player to make his fifth appearance at the World Cup in France.
But perhaps one of Lima’s qualities we will remember for generations to come is his commitment to Samoan rugby. His Samoan heart is unquestionable.
While many players of his calibre were lured to play for the All Blacks, Lima remained loyal to Samoa. He has been a role model for many young people, guys and girls who have grown to become stars in their own right. Lima has been a superb inspiration.

Last Saturday, the Chiropractor played his last game for Samoa on home soil. It was an emotional farewell for one of Samoa’s most loved sons.
His dedication, unselfish determination to ensure Samoa was competitive on the international front, will not be easily forgotten.
A man who will be remembered for his Samoan heart, as someone who refused to believe in the impossible, an inspiration to his family, friends and our people, is bowing out of international rugby.
“It’s been a real honour and a privilege to have Brian in the Manu Samoa team,” coach La’auli Michael Jones said yesterday.
“Brian has been a wonderful asset, he’s such a consummate professional, a real icon of Samoan rugby. He will be missed.”
Indeed, Samoa will miss Brian Lima!

Samoa demolish Tonga in style!

Manu Samoa finished its Pacific Nations Cup campaign with a flourish with a 50-3 victory over Tonga in Apia on Sunday. The victory means that the Samoan’s finish third in the final standings, behind champions the Junior All Blacks and Australia A.

Utilising a wealth of possession and the emotion of wing Brian Lima's final appearance at his home ground in his 62 Test match, the home team made up for the disappointments of earlier matches in the competition.

Samoa's pack proved devastating in the set piece with locks Filipo Levi and Kane Thompson, dominated the lineouts. Prop Census Johnston was also outstanding and was rewarded with two tries, the first of the game in the Samoa's bonus points scoring effort in the first half, and a fine supporting try in the second.

Generally, through the first two-thirds of the game, it was the control of fly half Loki Crichton that created the platform for Samoan dominance. His stylish break created the try of the game for wing David Lemi.

Crichton’s pass found Lemi who spun around to sneak along the sideline as he regained his balance before out-pacing the defence for his try in the 27th minute. It was a classy moment.

Lemi had more of a chance to show his solo skills when storming through on a midfield burst that opened up the Tongan defence on a 40m run to score his second try and bring up the Samoan half-century, six minutes from ful ltime.
Flanker Ulia Ulia and hooker Mahonri Schwalger completed the try scoring in the first half as Samoa moved out to a 29-3 lead.

The lack of Tongan expertise on attack was exemplified in the last stages of the first half when the side laid siege to the Samoan line, without being able to find any way through some solid defence.

Manu Samoa 50
Tries: Johnston 2, Lemi 2, Ulia, Schwalger, Tuilaga
Con: Crichton 4, Lui 2
Pen: Crichton
Tonga 3
Pen: Hola
HT: 29-3

manusamoablog. one-on-one with Junior Pelesasa

manusamoablog.com yesterday had one-on-one with Australia A, Samoa center Junior Palesasa. We met up with Junior while he is in Fiji with his Australia A team to play against the might of the Flying Fijians. manusamoablog.com believes that he is a great player and probably the first Samoan to be in the Wallabies.

manusamoablog.com says;

G-day Junior, welcome to Fiji. What happen to you guys last weeks against Junior All Blacks (JABS)?

JP say;

Hello mate well I am so impressed that there are lot Samoans here….I saw you today wearing your Manu Samoa outfit and I knew it from there, probably heaps are here….Anyways thanks for coming Bro……Last week was not good aye…I don’t know what happen to the boys…just not our day

manusamoablog.com says;

I bet it must be the weather down at Christchurch that affected you guys?

JP say;

Exactly, I believe that’s the reason why our boys didn’t perform, they don’t like the weather down there….we missed a lot of tackles and our set pieces we awesome. Well that’s rugby aye…missed tackles then you will be punished.

manusamoablog.com says;

What do you think of the Wallabies last Week against South Africa?

JP say;

I think they play well aye mate…great game last week…just those drop goals that kill the game….But overall Wallabies had a great game…probably the best performance so far.

manusamoablog.com says;

True it was those two drop goals that make the difference. I believe Wallabies should win that game.

What do you think of the game tomorrow with Flying Fijians?

JP say;

Fijian team is good. They have some really fast players out there and the return of the overseas players will make them a stronger team then the one’s who played against Wallabies. Also Fiji are very physical players and the Fijians will come with everything.

manusamoablog.com says;

That’s all from me here because I know you guys are having dinner now. Will see you guys tomorrow and All the best with game!

JP say;

Thanks for coming aye Bro…will see you tomorrow at the Park…Here are the tickets for you and your Mrs., so you can come watch tomorrow…..

Cheers, FA.

That’s all from us here and it was great to have a chat with this guy. He is one great player. Will update this with pictures from the game today.

Australia A vs. Fiji today at 3.00pm at Fiji National Stadium

Manu Samoa vs. Tonga Preview

Manu Samoa coach Michael Jones rings changes to his squad against Tonga tomorrow in Samoa. Ulia Ulia, Brian Lima and Lolo Lui are the new changes with positional changes, Daniel Leo switch to 6 and relegate last weeks captain to the bench, Elvis Savealii to center and Loki Crichton back at number 10. In the tight five there are no changes but still remains to old school boys.

Let’s hope for a good outing from our Manu Samoa against Tonga tomorrow. From myself, wish Manu Samoa the best of luck.

1. Justin Vaa, 2. Mahonri Schwalger, 3. Census Johnston, 4. Filipo Levi ,
5. Kane Thompson, 6. Daniel Leo, 7. Ulia Ulia, 8. Semo Sititi (C ),
9. Steve Sooialo10. Loki Crichton, 11. David Lemi, 12. Seilala Maposua, 13. Elvis Sevealii, 14. Brian Lima (VC), 15. Lolo Lui
Reserves:16. Donald Kerslake, 17. Muliufi Salanoa, 18. Leo Lafaialii19. Justin Purdie, 20. Junior Polu, 21. Alesana Tuilagi, 22. Lome Faatau Management:Coach: Laauli Michael JonesAssistant Coach (Backs) Solomona SuaAssistant Coach (Forward) Papaliitele Peter FatialofaManager: Leota Kenape TuuauPhysiotherapist: Megan LupeDoctor: Dr Ben MatalaveaTrainer: Phillip Riddington

Will Samoa make it to the Quarters this year?

The Manu Samoa has 79 more days to prepare for its opening fixture against the mighty Springboks. The last time this two teams met was two weeks ago when Manu Samoa was beaten by a Springboks “B” team by 35 – 8 at Ellis Park. The next game will be in the Rugby World Cup in Paris where I believe Jake White will come with his “A” team to play against the brave Samoans.

The Manu Samoa was known very well in the history of the Rugby World Cup (RWC) when it first enters n 1991 RWC in England. This is when Samoa upset Wales (16-13), scares the champions Australia (9-3) and beat Argentina (28 -12) in there last pool game.
For the history the Manu Samoa reach to the Rugby World Cup Quarterfinals for the first time. That same feat happens in the Rugby World Cup in 1995 but it was a different story for the 1999 and 2003.

Can we repeat this?

However, that is history and the big question now whether Michael Jones can take Manu Samoa to the quarter finals next year. So far I believe the Manu Samoa can beat England if they really try to avoid silly mistakes like what Seilala Mapusua was doing against Juniors. The team I believe is in a very good shape for this year in France.

Expectations from the Samoan community is really high this time since we witnessed Springboks demolished England and the Samoan chances are high. Lets no count our chicks now but wait for the games to begin and see how our boys will perform.

Samoa will play South Africa on the 09th September in Paris, followed by Tonga on the 16th September, decider with England on the 22nd September and there last pool game against USA on the 26th September. The question is: Will Samoa live the Rugby World Cup after playing USA? Will the Manu Samoa play against the Wallabies in the quarters? All in the all we have to wait for the result against Samoa and Tonga this weekend.

Good luck for the Manu Samoa.

Rotational of players is the best policy for future of Rugby

The Manu Samoa Coaching panel have been using most of its same front rowers over and over again. I believe that our Manu Samoa can adopt the rotational of players that the All Blacks had been using all this time. We have seena great improvements from the All Blacks and it really provides competition for the boys.

I know the feeling of being a substitute in all the games. The only thing will happen is discouraging the players.

As for the case of our Manu Samoa, players like Donald Kerslake and most of the local boys should be involved in most of the game or being first choice players.

We have witness in the begining how we have a lot of locals in the game against Fiji, then came the Juniors All Blacks then we opt for our overseas players.

It was obvious in our midfield when Seilala Mapusua was team up with Anitelea Tuilagi. If I was the coach I will use Brian Lima to pair up with Andy while let Maposua to join in the second half.

However, I strongly believe that the best policy for the future of Samoan rugby is rotating of players.

We need to rotate our players so others can perform and have a recovery. Like what we always say in our Samoan language, "...pule a Siafune i le la o lona Vaa..." Lets hope for the best from our team. I know our team is one of the best ever Manu Samoa available so far. We need to make sure we know how to run this quality players available for us.

May our team performs well and may the best team wins between Samoa and Tonga

Manu Samoa Team for Tonga

This will be my line up for the game against Tonga. Players like Lolo Lu and all Manu Samoa Sevens team should be in the run on team.

1. Census Johnston
2. Mahonri Schwalger
3. Justin Vaa
4. Filipo Levi
5. Kane Thompson
6. Semo Sititi
7. Ulia Ulia
8. Alfie Toala
9.Stephen So'oialo
10. Joshua Keil
11. Alesana Tuilagi
12. Brian Lima (C)
13. Anitelea Tuilagi
14. David Lemi
15. Gavin Williams

Reserves
16. Tamato Leupolu
17. Donald Kerslake
18. Leo Lafaialii
19. Alapasa Cordtz
20. Notise Tauafao
21. Loki Crighton
22. Lolo Lui

So far so good!

The Pacific Nations Cup has come close to the end and Junior All Blacks has won the tournament with one more round to go. However, in comparsion of the Manu Samoa 2007 to the Manu Samoa 2006, we have some chances of qualifying for the Rugby World Cup Quarterfinals in France. I always believe in the ability of the boys in blue and it was shown that they still can fight with big guns.

Some might argue that the South Africa team that plays Samoa was a "B" team. I respect that however, the Manu Samoa has put a very brave play during that game. England was tharshed by the Springboks two in a row but Samoa managed to hold on. All credit to great team work and effort to commit in our team preparations.

I am not counting my chicks now but my pick for Pool A will South Africa and Manu Samoa. When we come close to the tournament Samoa for sure will beat the defending champions.

I hope Samoa can hold on to the game against Tonga or else Tonga will repeat there feat against Fiji over us. Remember Tonga is one of the Pool A members and its going to be a very interestin Rugby World Cup.

Good Luck to all rugby features this week.

Regards

Manu Samoa Extended Squad 2007

Donald Kerslake - Upolu Samoa (Samoa)
Naama Leleimalefaga - Savaii Samoa (Samoa)
Fosi Pala'amo - Leinster (Ireland)
Mahonri Schwalger - Hurricanes, Super 14 (New Zealand)
Tamato Leupolu
Muliufi Salanoa - Upolu Samoa (Samoa)
Joe Tekori - Auckland, Air NZ Cup (New Zealand)
Kane Thompson - Highlanders, Super 14 (New Zealand)
Leo Lafaialii - NEC (Japan)
Filipo Levi - Highlanders, Super 14 (New Zealand)
Justin Purdie - Wellington, Air NZ Cup (New Zealand)
Ulia Ulia - Savaii Samoa (Samoa)
Alapasa Cordtz - Upolu Samoa (Samoa)
Semo Sititi - Docomo (Japan)
Alfie To'oala - Bristol (England)
Stephen So'oialo - NEC Harlequins (England)
Notise Tauafao - Upolu Samoa (Samoa)
Joshua Keil - Upolu Samoa (Samoa)
Loki Crichton - Newcastle Falcons (England)
Brian Lima - Bristol (England) (Squad Captain)
Anitelia Tuilagi - Leicester Tigers (England)
Alesana Tuilagi - Leicester Tigers (England)
Gavin Williams Connacht, Ireland
David Lemi - Bristol (England)
Lome Fa'atau - Hurricanes (New Zealand)
Esera Lauina - Savaii Samoa (Samoa)
Tauvaga Faafou - Savaii Samoa (Samoa)
Paletuatoa Toelupe - Upolu Samoa (Samoa)
Elvis Savea'alii - Sale Sharks (England)

The History

The national rugby union team of Samoa is called Manu Samoa (the name of a famous Samoan chief some 10 generations ago). They perform a traditional Samoan dance called the siva tau before each game. They are members of the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance (PIRA) along with Fiji and Tonga. They are ranked 11th in the world. They have recently been bankrolled by millionaire Sir Michael Fay, one of New Zealand's wealthiest men.Rugby was introduced to Samoa in the early 1920s and a governing body was soon formed.

The first international was played as Western Samoa against Fiji in August of 1924. Along with Tonga, these nations would meet regularly and eventually contest competitions such as the Pacific Tri-Nations - with Western Samoa winning the first of these. Samoa have been to every Rugby World Cup since the 1991 tournament. That tournament, along with the 1995 competition saw them make the quarter-finals.

Under their new coach, the All Blacks legend Michael Niko Jones (himself of Samoan descent and a Samoan international) they are working hard to create a side that will compete effectively in the 2007 Rugby World Cup where they are grouped with England, South Africa, Tonga and the United States.

The Manu Samoa team play in blue and white uniforms

The Marist Brothers brought the game to Western Samoa in 1920 and The Western Samoa Rugby Football Union was formed in 1924. On August 18, 1924 Western Samoa played its first international against Fiji in the capital Apia, the visitors winning 6-0. The match was played at 7am to allow the Samoans time to get to work afterwards and was played on a pitch with a large tree on the halfway line. The return match was won 9-3 by Samoa to draw the series.

In 1954 Western Samoan visited both Pacific Island neighbours Fiji and Tonga but waited a further 20 years before a tour of New Zealand took place. The Samoans won one of eight matches on that tour.The traditional tri-series between Tonga, Fiji and Western Samoa was established in 1982 with Western Samoa winning the first tournament. Wales visited Western Samoa and won the test 32-16 at Apia. The tour led to a return visit to Wales which brought Western Samoa out of International limbo, although Western Samoa were not invited to the first Rugby World Cup in 1987.The following year a 14-match tour of Europe took place before a World Cup elimination series in Tokyo, which gave Western Samoa a place in the 1991 Rugby World Cup in Britain.

They made a huge impact. After sweeping aside Wales 16-13 in Cardiff and defeating Argentina 35-12, and narrowly losing 3-9 to eventual champions Australia in their pool match, Western Samoa, a country with a population of 160,000, found itself in the quarterfinals against Scotland at Murrayfield. The Scots, however won comfortably, 28-6, but the Samoans were clearly the personality team of the tournament.Over the next two years the side had a number of notable wins. The most outstanding achievement were in Sevens where it won the 1993 Hong Kong and 1992 Middlesex Sevens.

The 1995 Rugby World Cup in South Africa proved that the team belonged in top company. They again reached the quarterfinals after wins over Argentina and Italy, but were beaten 42-14 by the eventual winners South Africa. After the Cup, Manu Samoa made a 13-match tour of England and Scotland, drawing 15-15 with the Scots and going down 9-27 to England.With the advent of professional rugby in 1995 it was vital for Manu Samoa to developed a new administrative structure.

This was made possible with Fay Richwhite and the Western Samoan Rugby Union joining forces to form Manu Samoa Rugby Limited, which now manages business for the team. Samoa emerged from the 1999 Rugby World Cup with honour intact after another shock 38-31 victory over host nation Wales in the pool stages. They again lost out to Scotland in the quarter final play-off.Manu Samoa qualified for the 2003 Rugby World Cup with a 17-16 defeat by Fiji, Earl Va’a missing an injury-time penalty. They recovered to beat Tonga both home and away and avenged that Fijian defeat with a 22-12 win in Nadi. They ultimately had to settle for second place in the round robin, behind Fiji on points difference, and a place in the tougher of the two Rugby World Cup 2003 pools alongside automatic qualifiers England and South Africa. In one of the games of the tournament they led eventual champions England for most of the game before losing 22-35.

The New Zealand ConnectionWestern Samoa's triumph in the 1991 Rugby World Cup was inspired by their coach Bryan Williams who had been the first Samoan-born player to transfer his allegiance to the All Blacks. Since Williams many Samoans have pursued their rugby careers in New Zealand provincial rugby and the best of these have been snapped up by the All Blacks.

However, many of these players have been educated in New Zealand from an early age, developing their rugby skills within the very challenging New Zealand secondary schools competition. Malili Muliaina, Jerry Collins, Isaia Toeava and Casey Laulala are just four of the many Samoan-born players who have chosen to represent New Zealand, after having been educated there.In recent times New Zealanders of Samoan descent have been key members of the All Blacks squad, including past New Zealand captain Tana Umaga.

In some Test matches on their 2005 Grand Slam tour of the Home Nations New Zealand fielded a side packed with players of Samoan descent. New Zealand born players with Samoan parentage have also played for Samoa, such as Earl Va'a, Pat Lam and Lome Fa'atau.The rugby relationship that exists between New Zealand and Samoa is undoubtedly a complex one. Close ties exist between the two countries, these bonds first being formed with the start of mass Polynesian migration to New Zealand in the latter half of the twentieth century. Naturally, many players eligible for Samoa have chosen to play for the All Blacks, recognising the obvious potential for financial and sporting rewards. Also, unfortunately, because of current international eligibilty laws, many Samoans who commit themselves to playing for the All Blacks find that they are unable to play for the smaller nation when their dreams of pulling on the black shirt are unrealised.

Welcome

Greetings to all our readers!

This is a blog dedicated to the Manu Samoa as they prepare for the RWC 07 in France.

Furthermore, there will details for our Manu Samoa Sevens.

Some valid Infromation here and news of the Manu Samoa.

Cheers,