Chance to shine: Sean O'Brien
Not the biggest game of the weekend by a long shot but Ireland know they have a lot to prove against Samoa on the back of defeat to South Africa.
Let us look back a moment to pre-game of last weekend and the ingredients going into their opening November Test against the world champions. The visitors were injury-ravaged, it was the grand opening for Ireland at their new home, Brian O'Driscoll had recovered from injury; everything seemed to be pointing towards the hosts claiming victory against the Springboks.
But this isn't the well-oiled machine that many expected to roll out and those 80 minutes proved that. If Ronan O'Gara had not created two late tries then the scoreboard would have made for much worse viewing for those who were in the stadium.
So are the Irish heading towards another poor World Cup performance, with Italy, Russia and USA their Georgia and Namibia of 2007? Many would hope not and one thing that is good to see is that, unlike Eddie O'Sullivan, Declan Kidney has proved he is not afraid to make changes. Out from the Springbok selection goes Rory Best, Gordon D'Arcy, Jonathan Sexton, Eoin Reddan, David Wallace, Mick O'Driscoll and Cian Healy. Tony Buckley has been confirmed injured but it was highly likely that he would have been another name axed after an out-of-sorts performance.
Whether these changes are in preparation ahead of facing New Zealand or not, one thing is for certain and that is the Irish did not help their cause last weekend. The line-out was one glaring problem but the height of Devin Toner may make a difference against a side that is not renowned for its set-piece. Keeping the focus on the pack and it is a big day for the two Seans, O'Brien and Cronin, who could cement a place with a good 80 minutes.
Samoa meanwhile go into the fixture on the back of a 26-22 defeat to Connacht at the Sportsground. Without taking anything away from the men from Galway's historic win, we feel it needs mentioning that Fuimaono Titimaea Tafua's side was very second-string.
This weekend's line-up sees fifteen changes in all to the run-on selection as Mahonri Schwalger leads a line-up that is littered with game-breakers like Seilala Mapusua.
So do not write this one off as a foregone conclusion, as rugby has seen in the past that banana-skin fixtures such as this do not go well the men from the Emerald Isle.
Ones to watch:
For Ireland: Many were calling for Sean O'Brien to start against South Africa ago but boss Declan Kidney went for the experience of David Wallace. This time around though it is the turn of the Leinsterman to don the seven jersey and if he continues his early-season form then big things are expected in the future. Also keep an eye on lock Devin Toner, who has promised to improve the line-out problems of last Saturday.
For Samoa: It cannot be downplayed just how important Seilala Mapusua is to both London Irish and Samoa. The back, who can play at either inside or outside centre, commands respect from those playing for and against him and will be a threat to Ireland at Aviva Stadium. Unquestionable power and rugby intelligence, his combination with George Pisi will be key to establishing an upper hand against their opponents.
Head-to-head: We go to wing for this one where Tommy Bowe and Alesana Tuilagi meet. They have collided before in club/region colours in the Heineken and LV= Cup competition with honours pretty much even. Their contrasting styles always makes for interesting viewing so keep a close eye on this one as both go into the fixture in decent form. The big question is though, will Samoa give their man enough room to motor?
Previous results:
2003: Ireland won 40-14 at Apia Park, Apia
2001: Ireland won 35-8 at Lansdowne Road, Dublin
1996: Samoa won 40-25 at Lansdowne Road, Dublin
1998: Ireland won 49-22 at Lansdowne Road, Dublin
Prediction: Ireland should come through this by 15 points!
The teams:
Ireland: 15 Luke Fitzgerald, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Brian O'Driscoll (capt), 12 Paddy Wallace, 11 Andrew Trimble, 10 Ronan O'Gara, 9 Peter Stringer, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Sean O'Brien, 6 Denis Leamy, 5 Devin Toner, 4 Donncha O'Callaghan, 3 John Hayes, 2 Sean Cronin, 1 Tom Court.
Replacements: 16 Rory Best, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Donnacha Ryan, 19 Stephen Ferris, 20 Isaac Boss, 21 Jonathan Sexton, 22 Keith Earls.
Samoa: 15 Paul Williams, 14 David Lemi, 13 George Pisi, 12 Seilala Mapusua, 11 Alesana Tuilagi, 10 Tasesa Lavea, 9 Kahn Fotualii, 8 George Stowers, 7 Manaia Salavea, 6 Ofisa Trevarinus, 5 Kane Thompsen, 4 Filipo Lavea Levi, 3 Anthony Perenise, 2 Mahonri Schwalger (capt), 1 Sakaria Taulafo.
Replacements:16 Tii Paulo, 17 Simon Lemalu, 18 Iosefa Tekori, 19 Afa Aiono, 20 Junior Poluleuligaga, 21 Gavin Williams, 22 Jamie Helleur.
Date: Saturday, November 13
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Kick-off: 14:30 GMT
Referee: Keith Brown (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Jérôme Garces (France), Neil Paterson
Television match official: Geoff Warren (England)
By Adam Kyriacou
Comments
StunTheMullet says...
@JasonHarrison - Well the 3rd rate NZ players of European and Maori descent who would never make the All Blacks do seem to get the choice to represent the SANZAR barbarians, I mean England these days.
Who do the UK hacks think are the poachers again?
Posted 07:27 13th November 2010
ws4life says...
JasonHarrison
Differance is atleast they have samoan heritage while New Zealand get the pick of the crop even if they dont have New Zealand heritage and just play rugby there. Samoa mostly only get the Scraps after players deem they will probably never get to make it to the All Blacks. Call that poaching??? I call it salvaging..
Anyways decent squad for the manu, hopeing they can put up a good showing against Ireland and make us Samoan supporters proud.
MANU FAAMALOSI!!!!!
Posted 01:51 13th November 2010
Manu4Life says...
@ jasonharrison
get over yourself buddy. the world is no longer filled with people of single nationalities! there are already maori players who have already represented england and continue to do so; as are there kiwis representing Australia. Id like to hear Brad Thorn give an answer if he was asked if he was more Kiwi than Aussie? Sivivatu if he was more Fijian than Kiwi? or Nonu if he were more Kiwi then Samoan? i doubt any would say one over the other.
rather than yap about whos poaching who, why dont you acknowledge that without polynesian/melasian influence the All Blacks wouldnt be as high and mighty!
Go the Manu!
Posted 01:47 13th November 2010
Manu4Life says...
As far as im concerned you dont have to be born in Samoa to be a Samoan, nor do you have to be born in Ireland to be an Irish! Point is, if you have Samoan blood running through your veins and you feel some sense of pride for that country then you are by all means welcome. I heap praise on any overseas Samoan who wishes to represent his country; after all what have we got to offer. Samoa alone cannot produce a 1st tier team; our population and resources just wont justify it. Fact is, regardless of how hard we try to grow the local game; in the end we will need the help of our overseas brothers. We dont have the money to entice star players to swear allegiance to the blue and white and we dont have the pulling power of the AB's jersey or repuation for that matter. In the end all we can ask for is that they be proud of their country and be willing to represent them wholeheartedly on the field. Before money and reputation, there was just pride and Rugby....... and thats just how we roll! Go Manu!!
Posted 20:54 12th November 2010
AnsheeSahuka says...
5Lock4ward says...
@JasonHarrison, if they're of Samoan heritage and know they will never make the AB's why shouldn't they play for Samoa? I enjoy AB's rugby and don't really see them as poachers but clearly there are more Samoans, Fijians and Tongans which have worn black than there are New Zealanders playing for the Pacific Isles nations.
Name them then mate. I don't have problems with players that haven't enjoyed the national age group team camps that don't have a AB's chance playing else where, but in the AB's 2010 "true" starting line up, there is Mulli (moved to nz at the age of 2) Kaino (moved to nz age 5) Rocky (As far as I know moved to nz age 5) All the rest born bred nzders....what have you got..
Posted 13:51 12th November 2010
5Lock4ward says...
@JasonHarrison, if they're of Samoan heritage and know they will never make the AB's why shouldn't they play for Samoa? I enjoy AB's rugby and don't really see them as poachers but clearly there are more Samoans, Fijians and Tongans which have worn black than there are New Zealanders playing for the Pacific Isles nations.
Posted 12:48 12th November 2010
dodgyrog says...
dissapointed with this selection, give heaslip, 0'callaghan o'driscoll a week off, play earls or bowe at 13, leo cullen should start or at least be on the bench, plenty of good back row players who deserve a chance. as for the bench why not bring in some young guy's,there is a couple of young centre's, wallace can cover no's 10. put some fringe players like ross at prop, varley at hooker, why have ferris on the bench, stick some young guy on.
Posted 09:50 12th November 2010