Samoa could upset the odds in New Zealand

Wednesday 31 August 2011

In a world cup year, the focus of all attention goes to the contenders the teams that will be there in the business end of the tournament.

Some of the teams that go under the radar have other plans when the tournament rolls around every four years.

Teams are looking at developing and progress as opposed to necessarily challenging for the title of world champions.

Samoa are one of those teams that are somewhat between a rock and a hard place when it comes to their aspirations for the competition.

Sure, Samoa have plenty of talent, but they have always found themselves as valiant second best when coming up against the top tier nations.

Take 2003 for example. The pacific island nation found themselves in a group of death alongside powerhouses
England and South Africa. They knew it would be a longshot them getting out of the pool, but the resounding memory from that tournament for them will be their performance against England.

The Samoans provided England with their first genuine test, and that was after playing the springboks!

England were out-muscled, out-fought and out-played at times, but had just enough to prevail, though only Samoa left the Telstra stadium with the heads held high.

Move forward almost eight years and Samoa are in action against the form team in the world right now, the wallabies.

Many expect Australia to win easily and field an understrength side against a nation famed for its pride “ something they took great offence to.

What resulted was described as an upset, though on the balance of the game it was easy to see why Samoa won.

While it is dangerous to go on the basis of one result, there are signs that the Samoans have turned a corner “ which could make for an interesting world cup.

As each year passes, more and more Samoans are playing at the highest level in the best leagues around the world. Ask any follower of the Aviva premiership and the names Mapasua, Lemi and Tagicackibau, not to mention Tuilagi, are all synonymous of the highest level of domestic rugby.

They're not going to have an easy run of it though.

In what is arguably the toughest group, Samoa open up with a match against Namibia, who are improving with every year.

They then move onto tough matches against Wales and Pacific Island neighbours, before rounding off their group against defending champions South Africa.

Assuming South Africa win all their matches, and finish top, Samoa's progress could rest on bonus points against the remaining four teams.

The reward for progressing out of the group, could well be a match against Australia.

A second win this year against the Wallabies is not beyond Samoa though they will make sure they have a strong side out this time round.

An upset against the men in green and gold could mean a semi-final against England and we have seen in the past the troubles England have been caused by Samoa.

While it won't be easy by any means, and world cup seldom are, the men from the pacific island nation has a chance to do their country proud and upset the odd in New Zealand, which is sure to take a bit of the attention from the top teams.