Thursday, 12 July 2007

World Cup - Record fifth World Cup for Lima




Brian Lima is set to become the first player to compete in five World Cups after being named in Michael Joness Samoa squad for the 2007 tournament in France.


Jones (pictured) named his 30-man World Cup squad on Thursday with Bristol veteran Lima one of the players who will be contesting the wing and centre places.

Lima was the youngest player to compete in a World Cup when he played in the 1991 tournament in Europe.

He was 10 days shy of his 20th birthday when he was included in the Samoa team that famously downed Wales 16-13 in Cardiff in their group clash.

The 64-times capped Lima is the only player to have scored in four World Cups and will now have the chance to make it five.

"I have been waiting for the news to see if I will get selected into the World Cup squad," said Lima, nicknamed the Chiropractor due to the bone-crunching nature of his tackles.


"I'm happy to be the first player to record five World Cups. This is a great achievement not just for me, but for all of Samoa and for all young players dreaming of becoming a Manu Samoa player."

Samoa have been drawn in Pool A at the World Cup alongside champions England, South Africa, USA and Tonga, and Jones is confident they have a chance of making the quarter-finals despite the challenging draw.

To do so, they will need to finish first or second in their group which will likely require a victory over either England or South Africa.

"We have picked the squad on form and it's also a team we have been shaping for the last four years," Jones said.

"It's very important to pick players we believe can play our game plan. We have a big dream, and we have set our aspirations very high.

"The first step is to make the quarters. I believe we can get there, but we definitely want to take it another step and make the semis, and then to the finals, but it's a big dream.

"I believe we can make it."

Samoa open their World Cup account against the Springboks in Paris on September 9.

Samoa squad:

Forwards: Census Johnston (Saracens), Justin Va'a (Glasgow), Kasiano Lealamajua (Dax,), Donald Kerslake (Vaiala, Samoa), Mahonri Schwalger (Hurricanes), Muliufi Salanoa (Scopa), Silao Vaisolasefo (Alhambra, NZ), Filipo Levi (Ricoh, Japan), Kane Thompson (Wests, NZ), Iosefa Fekori (Auckland), Daniel Leo (Wasps), Henry Tuilagi (UK), Siu Lafaialii (Yokogawa, Japan), Semo Setiti (Docomo, Japan), Ulia Ulia (Marist, Samoa), Justin Purdie (Wellington).

Backs: Steven So'oialo (Harlequins), Junior Poluleuligaga (North Harbour), Loki Crichton (Worcester), Lolo Lui (Moataa, Samoa), Seilala Mapusua (London Irish), Eliota Sapolu Fuimaono (Bath), Jerry Meafou (Scopa, Samoa), Elvis Sevealii (Sale), Anitelea Tuilagi (Leeds Carnegie), Brian Lima (Bristol), David Lemi (Bristol), Lome Fa'atau (Glasgow), Alesana Tuilagi (Leicester), Gavin Williams (Ponsonby, NZ).Brian Lima is set to become the first player to compete in five World Cups after being named in Michael Joness Samoa squad for the 2007 tournament in France.

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