Sweet victory: Manu Samoa
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Samoa sent a warning shot to their World Cup Pool rivals with a gutsy performance doing for the Wallabies 32-23 at ANZ Stadium on Sunday.
World rugby's second-ranked team were well beaten by the islanders just a week away from their Tri-Nations opener against South Africa.
The impressive Samoans outscored the two-time world champions four tries to two for their first win over Australia in five meetings.
Alesana Tuilagi, Paul Williams, Kane Thompson and George Pisi crossed for the visitors, with fly-half Tusi Pisi adding 12 points with the boot.
The Wallabies scored a try in each half through Digby Ioane and Matt Giteau, but were always struggling after the visitors had raced 17-0 ahead.
Samoa had never before beaten a top-five ranked country - although they have beaten Wales three times, most notably at the 1991 World Cup.
The scorers:
For Australia:
Tries: Ioane, Giteau
Con: Giteau 2
Pen: Giteau 3
For Samoa:
Tries: Tuilagi, Williams, Thompson, G Pisi
Con: T Pisi 3
Pen: T Pisi 2
Australia: 15 Mark Gerrard, 14 Rod Davies, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Pat McCabe, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Ben McCalman, 7 Matt Hodgson, 6 Rocky Elsom (c), 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 Sitaleki Timani, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Sekope Kepu.
Replacements: 16 James Hanson, 17 Pek Cowan, 18 Dan Vickerman, 19 Scott Higginbotham, 20 Beau Robinson, 21 Will Genia, 22 Kurtley Beale.
Samoa: 15 Paul Williams, 14 Sailosi Tagicakibau, 13 George Pisi, 12 Seilala Mapusua, 11 Alesana Tuilagi, 10 Tusi Pisi, 9 Kahn Fotuali'i, 8 George Stowers, 7 Maurie Fa'asavalu, 6 Taisina Tuifu'a, 5 Daniel Leo, 4 Kane Thompson, 3 Anthony Perenise, 2 Mahonri Schwalger (c), 1 Sakaria Taulafo.
Replacements: 16 Ti'i Paulo, 17 Census Johnston, 18 Filipo Lavea Levi, 19 Manaia Salavea, 20 Brenton Helleur, 21 Eliota Fuimaono Sapolu, 22 James So'oialo.
Referee: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Keith Brown (New Zealand), Vinny Munro (New Zealand)
Comments
Ramage says...
@Tony thank you very much for your factual information. Much of the posts on this site from the NH are based on misinformation often dreamed up by the NZ hating journalist Stephen Jones of the Times and Times on Sunday. I lived in the UK from 2000 to 2007 and had much difficulty in explaining this situation to many people in the UK. They do not understand the incredible distances between the Islands and NZ and Australia, they are not aware that many of the Island players were born in NZ or OZ because of their situation in the UK where many Scottish players for instance born in England will want to represent Scotland. I think this is because of the cultural ties and small distances they have to travel. (I know there is a feeling of dislike of the English many Scots have, but am not sure if this plays any part. ) They do not understand that a person born in NZ of Island parents or as my own situation of Scottish parents does not feel the same wish to play for their parent's country if they can be an All Black the top team of their own country. This difference is because of a NZ identity and no doubt the success of NZ rugby teams over the years. A young child brought up in school and in rugby in NZ also wishes to be an All Black. So first your country then some other within the rules. All of this is legitimate and within the rules and good on any rugby player who is good enough to be selected. What is galling is the untruthful assertions made by peoplew like Stephen Jones are believed and thus we are bombarded with views from the North that we are raping and pillaging the Islands of their players. This is untrue as has been shown by Tony. Not only that Samoa actually goes out of its way to see that some of its more promising players are contracted to NZ ITM teams so they can further their rugby careers. So stop these uninformed attacks on NZ and Australia.
Posted 05:04 20th July 2011
sandal says...
@ GCP_JONES
I agree that the Tri Nations ought to be reformed when Argentina is included. Home and away would be too demanding. Another reform might be that it was played every second year, alternating with quadrennial world cups and Lions tours.
In answer to your question, I think Argentina shouldn't do too badly in a Four Nations, if they can get their players released from the Six Nations clubs. And if they aren't bullied by the referees, as Italy has been so dreadfully bullied by British Isles refs. But it would be a while before they won it.
As for including Argentinian players in the Super XV, it is not the function of Sanzar to develop the game in Argentina. South Africa, Australia and New Zealand are looking to develop their own players. Australia have grown from three teams to five, and South Africa from four teams to five.
That is increasingly important as players are lost to the northern hemisphere.
So you are Irish? Ireland has never had to cope with the drain to rugby league, in the first instance, and to another hemisphere in the second. In the early 90s an entire All Black backline was playing league.
New Zealand hasn't been losing just test players to the northern hemisphere; it has lost Super XV players, ITM Cup players, even junior players who had yet to represent a province. A few years back, all three wingers in a team that won an age-group world cup signed up with British clubs while aged 18.
Sanzar is running as fast as it can to keep producing Springboks, Wallabies and All Blacks.
As for more tests against the islands, for a few years New Zealand sent A teams to the Pacific competition that went undefeated. There would be little point in 30 to 40 New Zealanders leaving home in NZ to play a NZ vs "Samoa" test in Apia, and then all returning to NZ. Even so, NZ and Samoa play the odd test. Look up the results.
Posted 03:22 20th July 2011
fozza says...
Good point about the eligibility rules, I was reading in an unnamed Rugby Publication that only England, New Zealand and Australia backed the change to allow Players who had played for Tier 1 teams to play again for tier 2 teams (E.G Lote Tuquiri playing for Fiji at the world cup).
However, the point about loads of players heading off to the Nothern Hemisphere doesn't wash, mate. Why is that a bad thing? These guys won't get into the Super 15 teams as they are quite rightly country-centric (being effectively regional sides). Other than the Rebels who were allowed a larger number I believe the other countries are not allowed overseas players. Whilst I love the counties competition in NZ, I think it's fair to say the various competitions in the North are of a better standard and if these guys get paid for it so much the better. They still get to play for their pacific island country (even if some players turn them down like Isa Nacewa).
However, if the pacific islanders had a Super 15 franchise, this would give them a club to sign up for which, whilst possibly not as lucrative as Europe certainly gives them a good base for international rugby and allows them to remain close to their home.
Like the fact that they're getting the gate receipts for their matches in NZ and Australia and more of this needs to be done by the northern hemisphere (although I'd be surprised if the gate receipts from a near full Twickenham last season isn't bigger than the quarter full ANZ stadium even if the percentage was smaller).
Posted 17:49 19th July 2011
Tony says...
Tonga
1. Pita Alatini 1999/01 Came to NZ as a child and attended Kings College, Auckland
2. Walter Batty 1928/31. Grew up in NZ and went to Auckland Grammar
3. Sione Lauaki 2005/07 Came to NZ aged 7 and attended Kelston Boys, Ack
4. Isitolo Maka 1998 Came to NZ aged 11 and he attended Sacred Heart College, Auckland
5. Charles Riechelman 1997 Came to NZ aged circa 12 and went to Auckland Grammar. Did not play rugby until his family had migrated to NZ.
6. Saimone Taumoepeau 2004 Came to NZ after leaving school. Did not play rugby until he got to NZ and remarkably made Auckland side within 2 years years of taking up the game.
7. Osaiasi Vanisi 1990 Came to NZ as a child and grew up in Dunedin and attended Kings High School in the city
Fiji
1. Bernie Fraser 1979/84 Grew up in NZ and went to St Paul¿s College in Auckland
2. Arthur Jennings 1967. Grew up in Auckland and attended Northcote College in the city
3. Tabai Matson 1995/96 Grew up in NZ and went to Christ College, Christchurch
4. Joe Rokocoko Came to NZ as a 5 year old and went to St Kents, Auckland
5. Siti Sivivatu Came to NZ when 16 and went to Wesley College, Auckland
6. David Solomon 1935/36 Came to NZ as child and attended Mt Albert Grammar, Auckland
7. Joeli Vidiri 1998 Came to NZ as adult.
8. Ron Williams 1988/89 Grew up in NZ and went to Westlake Boys, Auckland
In total 30 ABs born in the Islands going back to Walter Batty who played for the ABs in 1927/28.
Posted 17:24 19th July 2011
Tony says...
"I'll be honest I believed that there were far more Pacific Islanders in the Aussie and New Zealander team"
All Blacks born in Samoa (so you don't make the same mistake again).
American Samoa
1. Jerome Kaino Came to NZ when he was 4 years old and attended St Kents, Auckland
2. Frank Solomon AB 1931/32 Brother of David below. Came to NZ as a 14 or 15 year old and attended Seddon Memorial College, Auckland
Samoa
3. Sosene Anesi 2005 Came to NZ on Scholarship to St Pauls, Hamilton aged 16
4. Olo Brown 1990/98 Came to NZ as child and went to Mt Albert Grammar, Auckland from 1981-85
5. Eroni Clarke 1992/98 Came to NZ at an early age & went to Henderson High School, Ack
6. Jerry Collins 2000/07 Came to NZ as a 4 year old and attended St Pat¿s College, Wton
7. Alama Ieremia 1994/2000 Came to NZ to go to Victoria University, Wellington
8. Casey Laulala 2004/06 Came to NZ on scholarship to Wesley College. Auckland aged 16
9 Chris Masoe 2005/07 Came to NZ on scholarship to Wanganui College aged 17
10 Mils Muliaina 2003 Came to live in Invercargill as a 2 year old and went to Kelston Boys, Auckland.
11 Jonny Schuster 1987/89 Came to NZ after secondary school
12. John Schwalger Grew up Porirua, Wellington (as did Jerry Collins and Rodney So¿oialo) and attended Bishop Viard College were he was head boy. Came to NZ when he was a child
13.Rod So¿oialo 2002 Came to NZ as a 5 year old and attended Mana College, Wton
14. Isaia Toeava Came to NZ as a 7 year old and attended De La Salle College, Ack
15. Vaiaiga Tuigamala Came to NZ when he was 4 years old attended Kelston Boys, Ack
Posted 16:18 19th July 2011
Tony says...
So you make claims that the Northern Hemisphere unions do more to help developing countries than the South but then claim that you don't really know about what the SANZAR countries may or may not do?
The biggest problem for Island sides is NOT players going to NZ or Oz but rather ironically players going to Europe. Frankly no one in the Southern Hemisphere can compete with the money paid in the UK and France,
As for doing stuff NZ gives Samoa in particular reasonable amoutns of financial and structural support. Samoa has benefited from its players based in New Zealand as well as from technical and finanical assistance provided by the New Zealand Rugby Union. This includes playing Test matches in NZ where Samoa gets the gate receipts (certainly more generous than the RFU have been when Samoa has played at Twickers that's for sure). Who was it that proposed changes to eligibility rules that would have helped Samoa and Tonga and who was it that rejected these changes?
In the words of Peter Schuster, chief executive of the Samoan RFU:
"Samoan rugby cherishes its long-standing relationship with New Zealand,Many of our families have benefited through New Zealand's education and sporting system. It's a place where we have not just sporting ties, it's a place of strong cultural and family identity."
Posted 09:45 19th July 2011
GCP_JONES says...
Alright Sandal,
I'm well aware of the geography of the Southern hemisphere, I don't hold a Eurocentric world-view far from it, I spent over five weeks traveling around New Zealand from Irealnd so my friend I'm well aware of the distances you talk about.
I will ask you a question how do you think Argentina will do in the Tri-nations?. I think that no one will be surprised if they are the whipping boys of the tourament. One of the original questions I raised was how come there is'nt a drive to employ Agrentineans in the Super 15 teams.
If SANZAR ran a competition along the lines of the Six-Nations, en-larging the tournamnet to also include Figi, Samoa, & Tonga along with the other 4 then each country would play each other only once a year and over a longer period of time, (Irealand played 2 home 3 away this year)you would'nt have the situation now where e.g. New Zealand play Australia play 4 times in a year, (before anybody writes in I know the Tri-nations is shorter this year and all the more exciting for it).
Posted 09:31 19th July 2011
fozza says...
I'll be honest I believed that there were far more Pacific Islanders in the Aussie and New Zealander team. It's actually been the posts on this website that have educated me a bit more and the fact that these guys have spent almost all of their lives or at least all of their rugby playing lives in the country they play for. My outlook on this issue has changed now.
I also think the outlook from the nothern hemisphere, no scratch that, my outlook is that more is being done in the NH than the SH. Is it enough, far from it, but it appears to be more than the SH. That may well be unfair, I admit I have a better knowledge of the NH than what goes on in the SH.
For example, Italy has been brought in to both the six nations and magners (or pro rabid dog whatever it's called now) and this has proved to be a great help seeing them beat France this season. England, Ireland and Scotland have in the past sent A teams to the Churchill cup, Scotland and France sent teams to a competition featuring Georgia and Romania a couple of years back.
I know the Southern Kings joined a tournament featuring some of the second tier nations in that area and the New Zealand Maoris have been involved in similar tournaments so maybe I'm missing what else is being done. Let me know and again, I'll change my outlook.
It just seems to me that the Tri Nations has been the Tri Nations for however long and the teams involved in Super rugby whether 12 14 or 15 has the opportunity to include teams from outwith SANZAR and hasn't for whatever reason.
That's my outlook but let me know what I'm missing and I may change my opinion again!!!
Posted 08:50 19th July 2011
sandal says...
@ Tony
Congratulations on a nice bit of research into where the Samoan players actually come from. But you and I both know it won't stop people from the British Isles accusing New Zealand and Australia of "pillaging the islands".
And I agree with you 100 per cent on the same people presuming, in their ignorance of southern hemisphere geography, to lecture the Sanzar nations on inclusion.
Posted 01:53 19th July 2011
sandal says...
@ GCP_JONES
You say: "The 15th Super 15 team should have been Argentinean (sic) especially with expanded tri-nations next year. Which raises another questions, why isn't there any talk of having Figi (sic),Tonga & Samoa competing in it as well."
You didn't pass geography, did you. Have a look at an atlas.
The England team of 1998, travelling in only one direction, found playing in New Zealand, Australia and South Africa so arduous the British media described the experience as "the tour from hell". Imagine if they had had to make the return journeys, as the teams of the Tri Nations and the Super XV do. Then add journeys to and from Argentina and the Pacific Islands.
I have noticed many people from the northern hemisphere are ready to chastise Sanzar for its exclusiveness, without any understanding of the distances involved in its competitions. (Talk about a Eurocentric view of the planet!) For their last two games, the Crusaders travelled from New Zealand to South Africa, back to New Zealand and then to Australia. They had already travelled well over 100,000 kilometres this season. No wonder they looked flat in the final. But you think they should also have travelled to and from Apia, Nadi and Buenos Aires.
So I suggest: have a look in an atlas. And expand your world view.
Posted 01:46 19th July 2011
7ton says...
Tri-nats
Trouble is most of the time (not always) you're just plain wrong about the unfair reffing and cheating
Posted 23:41 18th July 2011
carpelone says...
Most of the comments on this forum are about rubbishing Australia.
I did it too and I want to apologise to all the Samoans. I think that this is first a victory of yours.
We have fond memories of the matches we played against Samoa, both in 2003 and 2007. We will never forget the prayer we jointly had at the end of the match in 2003.
This is the spirit of rugby.
May that prayer be for Halley too. Rest in peace, young man.
Posted 21:19 18th July 2011
GCP_JONES says...
hi Tony,
Romania, Russia,Portugal(who have something like 4 professional players),then start including any country with a union. I read that there over 130 around the world. Sri Lanka has more registered rugby players than Italy or Scotland, lets include them.
Its not a double standard by NH fans,the magners league now has 2 Italian teams playing in it. of course there is things we could do to promote the game. but I would suggest that more should be done to strengthen it in counties that already have a solid base. the game in Scotland for example is in a really floundering.
Posted 20:01 18th July 2011
Tony says...
Sorry typing in last posting was dreadful. It doesn't change the fact that every time a side from the South Pacific does well we have any number of northern hemisphere people telling the South Pacific (i.e. NZ and Oz) that they should do more for Island rugby yet they seem to do little for the emerging nations in Europe. It is gross hypocrisy. Is not the fact that most of the Samoan side have learnt their rugby through the New Zeland system not enough or that NZ gives substantial assistance to the Samoan Rugby Union in coaching assistance and direct grants of money not seen as being of value. Perhaps if you focused a little more on say Romania or Portugal then we could accept your advice but as it stands such criticism smells. As for paying to get the Samoan side home, home for most of them is New Zealand old son!
Posted 18:59 18th July 2011
Tony says...
"Tonga in the last world cup had to get backing from the bookies Paddy Powers."
So what? The ABs rely on Addidas and the English on a mobile phone company. We don't you apy a little more attentio0n to raising the profile of the game in Europe and stop talling the southern hemispahre how to run the game. Perhaps you could start with Georgia and Romania?
Posted 18:24 18th July 2011
fozza says...
With regards to touring the pacific island, we all need to do more, especially the six nations teams. When England toured Australia and New Zealand recently, would it have killed us to play one less A team game against Australia A and instead had a break off squad head over to Samoa or Tonga?
My only concern with this is the fact that it might well cost the pacific islanders a lot to get their team back home. As mentioned the majority play elsewhere so is it cost effective to gather the squad for a home game? Sorry I don't know what the stadiums are like there. If it's something which will honestly benefit the Islands then we should be jumping on the chance.
Posted 17:39 18th July 2011
GCP_JONES says...
Alright Mr Mullet, point taken to a degree on touring NH sides, if you ask me all touring teams be it in November or June should tour just one country playing mid-week games and a couple of tests (Munster v All Blacks in 08 a cracker) old syle tours basically.
But do you not think that with so many people from the Pacific Islands living in Australia and New Zealand in particular, that it would create far more interest to the people living there, not to mention much needed revenue to the respective unions.Tonga in the last world cup had to get backing from the bookies Paddy Powers.
If you apply your logic on Argentina playing in an expanded six-nations because they play in Europe that is flawed,then Tonga, Figi & Samoa should play in Euriope as-well due to the amount of players there.
Posted 16:38 18th July 2011
StunTheMullet says...
@ GCP_JONES "When was the last time the 3 of them toured the Pacific Islands, disgraceful."
And when was the last time, if ever, a 6N team visited the islands? Couldn't they drop in en-route to NZ/Australia for the June Internationals?
With respect to Argentinas inclusion in the 4N, it was the IRBs idea where the logical fit would actually be the 6N considering most of the Argentinian players are based in Europe.
A PI composite side would have been much better news for the 4N considering most of the players are based in NZ plus would have reduced travel all round.
Ditto for the S15 where a PI composite side based in Auckland would have been better than the Rebels Without A Clue who are propped up with imported players.
Posted 14:56 18th July 2011
Carpelone says...
Trinats.
One thing at a time. You feel sorry for the Wallabies first. Do not worry about us, we know how to behave. Jaystarr, your prediction for the game on Saturday?
Posted 14:27 18th July 2011
adamk says...
Excellent game! Huge physicality on display from both sides. Alex Tuilagi seemed to enjoy himself at any rate... :)
Posted 14:24 18th July 2011