A short look at Samoa's preparation and build up and squad for the tournament, as they look to reach the quarter finals for the first time in the professional era.
Although the squad has been together for the best part of over 2 months now, playing 7 matches in total, in only about 2 of those have Samoa fielded something more towards a full strength team, against the All Blacks and the Barbarians.
Over the course of the PNC, the team was rotated, and the coaches opted to rest several starters, an approach that differed to that of Fiji or Tonga's.
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| Stephen Betham decided to rest several players over for the PNC. |
Ole Avei, Kane Thompson, Tusi Pisi, Tim Nanai-Williams were rested for the entire tournament, others like Kahn Fotuali'i played minimal roles, whilst captain Ofisa Treviranus and George Pisi sat out with injury.
Considering that, the comeback to draw against a full strength Fiji in sweltering Sacramento was actually a very good result.
Likewise given the circumstances they arrived in North America. Which involved a torrid flight that was delayed, leaving them jetlagged, understrength, facing a full USA team on their home turf with the exception of just Samu Manoa.
Samoa will have been very pleased just to have beaten the Eagles in a game where several factors going into that game were not in favour.
That win will have given the side good confidence in beating their pool opponents, but also the coaches in some of the depth, with players not involved in the All Blacks match such as TJ Ioane, Vavae Tuilagi or Fa'atoina Autagavaia doing well throughout the tournament and earning their place in the 31.
GIF: Fa'atoina Autagavaia appeared to be pushed down the pecking order by after Tim Nanai-
Williams and Ahsee Tuala became available. But won back his place through performances
in the PNC, where a few of the second choice players competed well despite battling travel
and jetlag against a full strength Fijian side.
On paper results wise, Samoa don't come into the tournament with the same momentum or talk about them that Fiji have. But looking at options and finalising the final squad, appears to have been the more of the idea, than simply picking the strongest team every game.
As a result though, some of the combinations have not had a huge run of games, the side looked a bit rusty against the Barbarians, and ideally they may have preferred at least one extra warm up game before the tournament.
But the Samoans are known as a team that rises to big occasions, as we saw when they hosted the All Blacks, limiting them to just one try, and just a 9 point winning margin.
GIF: Alafoti Faosiliva's two ball carries on the way to scoring against the All Blacks.
And unlike 2011, where they played both the top seeds in the pool off short turnarounds, this time, thanks to beating Wales away in 2012 and reaching the top 8 in the rankings when the draw was made, they have their best ever schedule.
Issues with the Union, who the players had been deeply unhappy with for a long while. Regarding them as unprofessional and incompetent, and the turmoil badly overshadowed the last November effecting performances, also may be improving after an agreement signed last month 'committing to increased communication, transparency and consultation on issues'.
On field the major issues still are around the set piece, both scrum and lineout have struggled. In fact the scrum directly cost 6 points off their own ball in that 9 point match with the All Blacks, plus came off second best against Fiji and the Barbarians. The lineout struggled at times against the Barbarians, and was suspect in the rather ugly win over Canada as well.
Even with the return of Census Johnston, he is not the player he was 4-5 years ago, the loss of both James Johnston and Logovi'i Mulipola is a blow, and depth is stretched. Scotland will likely be planning to dismantle the set piece the same way they did to Tonga last November.
GIF: The failure to win their own scrum ball allowed the All Blacks to get out of
converted try range late on during the match in Apia.
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| Forwards coach Tom Coventry left a hole in the Samoan coaching staff, with no designated forwards coach. |
He has not really been replaced, with only really new arrival to the staff being George Skivington, still an active player as London Irish captain last season, doing some work as lineout coach.
But aside from Alama Ieremia in charge of the back, the coaching staff looks thin on experience compared to some others. There have also been rumours that some in Samoa feel Stephen Betham, who came to prominence leading the 7's side to the World Series in 2010, may be out of his depth.
This is a strong generation of players for Samoa, and failure to reach the knockout stages would be a disappointment.
Fixtures:
20/09 -
USA | Brighton | Ref: George Clancy26/09 -
South Africa | Birmingham | Ref: Wayne Barnes03/10 -
Japan | Milton Keynes | Ref: Craig Joubert10/10 -
Scotland | Newcastle | Ref: Jaco PeyperSquad:
Loosehead Prop: Zak Taulafo (Stade Français) has been a mainstay in this position for Samoa and a clear first choice. Viliamu Afatia (Agen) will be the back up option.
Logovi'i Mulipola (Leicester) withdrew 9 days before the tournament after failing to recover from an injury and was replaced by Census Johnston.
Hooker: Ole Avei (Bordeaux-Bègles) looks to be first choice, with Motu Matu'u (Hurricanes) who committed to Samoa earlier this year and converted number 8 Manu Leiataua (Aurillac) the back up.
There's some confusion around the absence of hooker Ti'i Paulo (Lyon) who the SRU said had retired, which he then denied on Twitter, it is possible though he has just withdrawn through club commitments.
Tighthead Prop: Anthony Perenise (Bristol) started throughout the PNC, and in the absence of the Johnston brothers was likely to be first choice. But Census Johnston (Toulouse) after initially retiring through club commitments, only to return against the All Blacks, has returned again after his club said they just needed him for the first 4 rounds of Top 14. The other tighthead is 31 year old Jake Grey (SCOPA) a shock selection with little top level experience.
James Johnston (Sale) was ruled out with injury, making it the entire first choice front row from June 2014 unavailable. Whilst Patrick Toetu (Bordeaux-Bègles) was overlooked for the far less experienced Grey.
Lock: Filo Paulo (Treviso) and Kane Thompson (Newcastle) have been consistent starters over these past 4 years. Thompson is however banned for the opening match so Joe Tekori (Toulouse) has been used a lot as impact sub will likely start with just three locks in the squad.
Fa'atiga Lemalu (Munakata Sanix Blues) also withdrew during the camp with injury and was replaced by back rower Faifili Levave. Daniel Leo (London Welsh) retired after being left out of the initial squad, he says after being prominent in standing up to the Union last November, Betham says because he wasn't getting much game time at London Irish.
Back Row: Jack Lam (Bristol) is the standout player in the pack and one of the first names on the teamsheet at 7. Captain Ofisa Treviranus (London Irish) will start with him at either 6 or 8. Whilst there is strong competition between the other back rowers with Alafoti Faosiliva (Bath) who was strong against the All Blcaks and TJ Ioane (Sale) who did well in the PNC and both also play number 8. Maurie Fa'asavalu (Oyonnax) returns as the only player left from the 2003 squad and will back up Lam. Vavae Tuilagi (Carcassonne) is the option as a specialist 8. Faifili Levave (Toyota Verblitz) was a late call up for the injured Lemalu and will cover 6, 8 and lock in an emergency.
Piula Fa'asalele (Castres) was not considered through injury, although could be fit enough to return if needed later in the tournament. Whilst Number 8 Taiasina Tuifua (Lyon) withdrew through 'family commitments'. Although with him, Paulo, and also Hemani Paea of Tonga making it three new Lyon signings who were starters last November all absent from their squads, suggests there may have been terms to joining them.
Scrum Half: Kahn Fotuali'i (Northampton) has been a crucial member of the team for the past 5 years, and he is backed up by locally based Vavao Afemai (Vailala).
Pele Cowley (Suburbs) appeared to be the choice to back up Fotuali'i, but was injured during the PNC. Jeremy Su'a (Petrarca Padova) appears to have fallen out of favour.
Fly Half: Tusi Pisi (Suntory Sungoliath) will again be first choice fly half. Michael Stanley who is currently without a club with ITM Cup sides not employing World Cup players will back him up. Patrick Fa'apale (Vailala) is the third option, and another surprising local choice with three specialist fly halves in the squad.
Centre: Johnny Leota (Sale) and Rey Lee-Lo (Cardiff Blues) will contest the inside centre shirt. Whilst at outside centre George Pisi (Northampton) beats injury to make the squad having only played one of Samoa's seven matches this year, and was well backed up by Paul Perez (Sharks) who has earned his place in the 31, and also plays wing.
Alapati Leiua (Wasps) would have been a star player for Samoa, but ruptured his ACL and is out long term. Paul Williams (Stade Français) a great player for Samoa in the past has suffered badly with injury this past season or so, and with little game time back wasn't selected.
Wing: Alesana Tuilagi (Newcastle) looked past it last season in the Premiership, yet was made vice captain by Samoa and played every test for them this year. Ken Pisi (Northampton) makes it three brothers in the squad, which he made despite not playing at all in the PNC. Fa'atoina Autagavaia (Nevers) got the final spot after impressing in the PNC, and also plays full back equally well.
Alofa Alofa (La Rochelle) started against the All Blacks but fell out of favour. Sinoti Sinoti (Newcastle) regarded as the leading wing in the Premiership last season is also cut, and in truth never looked in favour, being shifted to full back or his less preferred right wing to accommodate Tuilagi in the PNC. David Lemi (Bristol) former captain failed to recover from injury. Sailosi Tagicakibau (Wasps) was also not rewarded for a good comeback seasons at Wasps.
Full Back: Tim Nanai-Williams (Ricoh Black Rams) is the only player in the tournament who has taken advantage of the 7's eligibility loophole, and will be first choice full back.
Ahsee Tuala (Northampton) was the full back throughout the PNC and unlucky to miss out.
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