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
rugby_rockstar says...
fairly good reffing from Jonkers. pros: gave samoa a level playing field to strut their stuff. Cons: Let both sides dive off their feet at every ruck and seal off the ball.
Posted 13:05 18th July 2011
Tony says...
The Pacific Islands is not a nation and the concept of Pacific Island side is long dead. It was always a rather false amalgam designed to raise money and nothing else. Samoa withdrew initially from the trisome and now Fiji and Tonga don't really want any part of it.
I believe there is currently no flight between BA and Joburg. Whatever it is still a huge distance. As Chris Jack said when he played in Europe it was so nice to travel short distances to matches; when palying for the Drusaders and NZ he spent his whole life on a aeroplane. The Crusaders have travelled in excess of 100,000 miles in the last Super 15. You guys up north have no idea!
The flight time from Aucklanmd to Joburg is 15 hours! It is almost 12 hours to B Aires.
Posted 12:53 18th July 2011
Maubec says...
A really great result for the Manu Samoa.
And if it was Australia B team, don't forget this wasn't a full strenght Samoa neither. It could have been worse for Australia with H. Tuilagi and Tekori coming off the bench at the 60' or Lemi on the wings with A. Tuilagi for example.
They really can reach a semi or better at the World Cup.
If Ireland tops Pool C (and they can beat Ireland on one match) I'm sure Samoa'll go to the semi.
When I said it to Samoans this may, they didn't trust me. Now they can.
Go Manu Samoa !!!
Posted 12:44 18th July 2011
GCP_JONES says...
Alright Tony,I feel I need to clarify how I see it, firstly I was talking about expanding the tri/four nations to include the pacific Isalnd sides not the super 15. Secondly we have known now for what 3 years that Argentina would be entering the competition yet there players will be expected to play a sesaon in as you rightly said Europe then go down and compete against the 3 sides and then return just in time for the European season to start.It seems so me that the whole thing is a bit of a white-wash, a decent idea badly executed, when once the trial periods ends in 2016 the SANZAR countries will hold there hands up and say at least we treid ah-well, Argentina might as well play in the six-nations.
When there involvment was avnnounced the SANZAR bodies were saying they would look at signing Argentinean has'nt happened.Thirdly I'm aware of the Geography of the Southern, surely the flight times between South Africa/ Argentina is closeer than SouthAfrica/New Zealand, that does'net wash.
Posted 12:02 18th July 2011
APV1 says...
Well, well, well.
I have the match recorded and am now even more excited to see it.
But I'm not writing anyone off yet:
Samoa will take this momentum and keep going - what a great win for them!
Australia will be smarting and will come out for their next match with a renewed vigour and better game-plan.
What a great lead in to the RWC later in the year!
What is a shame is the natural tendency of some posters to harp on about nationality, birth-place and all that nonsense. Just let it go. If you have an issue wirth the eligibility rules, take them up with the IRB. Each club and country selects from those players they are allowed to and, if they get it wrong, will be penalised. Don't berrate the selection on those grounds.
@ blametheref
Hear! Hear!
Stephen Jones gives HIS opinion - not one that many people agree with. It's a bit like listening to Stuart Barnes commentate or pontificate and not thinking he's a prat! And I'm a Bath supporter of old and proud to be an England supporter too. (That's England, NOT the RFU!)
Posted 11:54 18th July 2011
rico says...
great result for Samoa and good massage to the so called 2nd tier nations to be inspired that the top tier nations can be defetaed - ominous for me as a welshman as the group stage is looking toughest of the bunch to get out of.
Posted 11:52 18th July 2011
Tony says...
My point was that this chap suggests that the Super 15 competition has treated Argentina and the Pacific Islanders with disdain. This a far frrom the truth. Argentina has failed to orgainsie its internal affairs in a way that is compatable with professional rugby. As a result the vast majority of their players go to Europe. Yet according to this bloke it is something of a disgarce that they don't have a side in the Super 15. He also appears to have little awareness of geographical constraints. He also suggests that the Paicifc Island nations should have sides in the competition and apepars to know nothing of the Pacific Nations Cup. The major bareer to Super 15 is scale and once again that players head north. Super 15 in NZ is barely feasible without huge subsidy from the NZRFU so how it is supposed to be a vaible option for Tonga or Samoa is beyond me. Schuster the president of the Samoan RU has said it is and always has been a non-starter.
Posted 11:25 18th July 2011
dylster says...
oh and one more thing, cant we just stay on topic instead of using an awesome Samoan victory over the Aussies as an excuse to bash NZ?
This is about Samoa people not NZ
Posted 10:53 18th July 2011
blametheref says...
When I see journalist, Stephen Jones being mentioned as some kind of representative or commentator for NH rugby I cringe...He gives us Irish a terrible time with his dismissals...This is a journalist who hasn't a clue, he still believes that Gavin Henson has the potential to be better than Brian O' Driscoll...Stephen Jones does not represent the mindset or status of NH rugby!
@Tony
Think you get NH rugby wrong with your comment. Clubs up here are cosmopolitan and open to ANYONE playing for them if they so wish from any part of the world. The fact is the Heineken Cup has proved to be a great, exciting and fairly balanced competition, and from a fans point of view one of the best to support as away games mean trips all around Europe with it's different flavours....There is no SH agenda, believe me, players are chosen on their merits and not where they come from.
Posted 10:50 18th July 2011
dylster says...
wow. well said Tony...that man deserves a DB
Posted 10:46 18th July 2011
blametheref says...
OK, Australia were without some front line players, but there's no excuses...Declan Kidney will be smiling quietly to himself. I said on these boards that Australia v Ireland will be one of the pivotal matches in the WC and I think this proves the point...I'd say the bookies have shortened Ireland to top the pool...Australia have to deal with Italy's abrasive forward power before they meet Ireland. I don't see an upset in that match but it'll take a toll on Australia. But then Australia will run into the Irish pack who will, believe me, be possibly one of the most fit and mobile packs at the WC and not short on experience...Australia WILL bounce back from this defeat (or lesson) and will make their clash with Ireland one of the most moutwatering games in the pool stages of the WC
Posted 10:26 18th July 2011
Ramage says...
@johnniegordon your statement that the Pacific island has had their players raped and pillaged by NZ and Australia for years. This statement rolls of the tongue and has been written about for years by UK rugby journalists many from the Murdoch stable say no more. So hjohnniegordon I will ask you to respond with all the names of Pacific Island team members who have been raped and pillaged by Australia and NZ and ask you to be sure of your facts. I would also ask you to look at where many of those players were born educated and received their rugby upbringing and I think you will be surprised that rather than taking these teams are full of NZers and Australians. However if you read the rants of people such as Stephen Jones of the Times and Times on Sunday part of the Murdoch stable then you will continue to repeat these untruths because you have been misled by a journalist who likes to beliitle a country like NZ every time he comments on World Rugby. So johnniegordon I await your list of players and your reason as to why they were raped or pillaged from the the Islands with accompanying facts and I will be waiting to reply with the facts and a list of NZers and Australians who play for the Islands. Just to help with your criteria My father was born in Scotland and I in NZ . I do not consider myself to be Scottish. I am a proud Kiwi of Scottish heritage and would never ever think of playing for Scotland unless my path was blocked by better players. However should that happen I know I can legally play for Scotland a) because I have not played for NZ and b) I qualify for Scotland because my father was a Scot.
Posted 10:08 18th July 2011
dylster says...
johnniegordon one makes a **** of oneself when they post comments without doing any research. there has been over 1000 All Blacks, and 13 have been born in Samoa, with only 8 having more than 10 tests. bet you feel silly now.
I just watched the replays and the smile on Tuilagi's (sp?) face after he smashed Davies for about the 15th time was priceless!! Anyone else reckon Gitaeu has to go? I think Aussie has a lot more talent in the backs than this guy.
This game presents 2 problems:
1. Firstly for Samoa, noone is going to take them lightly or disrespect them again, so they might find wins in the WC a bit harder to come by now (they will come tho)
2. Aussie will be even more dangerous now, as they are wounded.
I hate saying this as a kiwi, but cmon SA this weekend!! haha
Posted 09:50 18th July 2011
Tony says...
"The 15th Super 15 team should have been Argentinean especially with exapanded tri-nations next year"
Bit of a problem as Argentina don't have a professional competition. You make it sound so easy. Oh by the way it is a 15 hour flight from Sydney to B Aires.
As for Fiji, Samoa and Tonga having Super 15 sides they have openly admitted that they don't have the capability. I just love the way self-righteous northern hems get on here pronouncing on the nature of southern hem rugby whilst their competitions take freely from around the globe.
Posted 09:50 18th July 2011
Tony says...
"Reasons why these teams are getting better, the best of their players are going to Europe now instead of New Zealand, where they would eventually be recruited to play for the All Blacks(A long, long list of players)"
Is that so Papa! How do you explain thus that 17 of the 22 players in the Samoan side that won on Sunday were New Zealanders (i.e. NZ born or came to NZ at very young age). A further 3 did some of their secondary schooling in NZ. So that makes 20 out of 22 have played rugby from relatively young age in NZ.
15 Paul Williams, Born NZ
14 Sailosi Tagicakibau, Born NZ
13 George Pisi, Born Samoa; Came to NZ as a 2 year old
12 Seilala Mapusua, Came to NZ as a 4 year old
11 Alesana Tuilagi,
10 Tusi Pisi, Born Samoa Came to NZ as a child
9 Kahn Fotuali'i, Born NZ
8 George Stowers, Came to NZ on a Secondary School Scholarship
7 Maurie Fa'asavalu, Came to NZ on Secondary School Scholarship
6 Taisina Tuifu'a, Came to NZ on Secondary School Scholarship
5 Daniel Leo, NZ Born
4 Kane Thompson, NZ Born
3 Anthony Perenise, NZ born
2 Mahonri Schwalger (c) Came to NZ when 8,
1 Sakaria Taulafo Born NZ
Replacements:
16 Ti'i Paulo, NZ Born
17 Census Johnston, NZ Born
18 Filipo Lavea Levi, NZ Born
19 Manaia Salavea,
20 Brenton Helleur, Born NZ
21 Eliota Fuimaono Sapolu, Born Samoa Came to NZ as a child
22 James So'oialo. Born NZ
Posted 09:44 18th July 2011
GCP_JONES says...
What I hope that Sundays result and this world cup brings to the fore is that the cosy cartel, of the Boks, the Blacks and Wallabies, should be seriously over-hauled as the only real representaives of SH rugby.
When was the last time the 3 of them toured the Pacific Islands, disgraceful. In many of the comments they talk about Aussie strenght and depth(agreed) spread over 5 sides.The 15th Super 15 team should have been Argentinean especially with exapanded tri-nations next year.
Which raises another questions, why is'nt there any talk of having Figi,Tonga & Samoa competing in it as-well.
Posted 09:37 18th July 2011
Tony says...
"The pacific islands have had their best players raped and pillaged by both NZ and Australia for years"
Really Johnny! I can't really see what this has to do with the Samoan win but perhaps you would like to give us a few examples?
Posted 09:10 18th July 2011
lukemc says...
Different day - diffeent result. Next time the Wallabies will kick their goals. The Samoans gave away many penalties - and once they saw Wallabies weren't taking the points it gave them carte blanche to continue. If you take the points they would have stopped. As for the first try Matasua was offisde at the ruck when he picked up teh ball, but officiating was pretty poor all day. having said that Wallabies were poor - too many mistakes - but that was also caused by Samoan pressure.
Posted 06:06 18th July 2011
Storm says...
Just got back from camping trip (no media connection) with a bunch of Aussie mates. Teasingly picked the Samoans to tip up the boys in green and gold after seeing the Samoan team, especially the bench. So, pleasantly surprised to read the result on PR.
Victory could only have tasted sweeter in Apia for the giant killers in blue and white. Fantastic result.
Posted 03:49 18th July 2011
sandal says...
@Trinats
I think you misrepresent the status of this Australian team.
Certainly, it is not Australia's strongest, but it is just the sort of team that Deans might select for a World Cup match against Samoa (remember: he won't be picking his top 22 for every game).
There are plenty of likely first-team names present: Elsom, Sharpe, Alexander, Moore, Giteau, Ashley Cooper. Then there are Genia and Beale on the bench. And all but two or three of Sunday's remaining starters might have made Deans' top 22 if he had been picking it that morning.
What this result reveals is that Australia's extraordinary talent is spread very thinly. You don't have to scratch very deep to come up with a result like Australia 23, Samoa 32.
Another thing it reveals is that Samoa, with an interesting mix of experience from both hemispheres, might be about to deliver their best world cup performance yet.
Posted 03:27 18th July 2011