Samoan stalwart Seilala Mapusua has vowed his side will throw everything at the Springboks on Friday after winning the battle of the islands yesterday to keep their World Cup quarterfinals hopes alive.
After missing a couple of early chances, Samoa went back to their prudent ways to gain a crucial win over Fiji.
Sadly the Polynesia spectacular didn’t eventuate in front of 60,327 at Eden Park, continuing a trend at this tournament that has seen the island flair strangely stagnant.
The Samoans were delighted to get the victory but admitted disappointment at not being able to get a bonus point which may prove crucial, either to make the playoffs or to nail third place in Pool D which would see automatic qualification for the next World Cup.
Mapusua said the intent had been to play more rugby against Fiji and felt that would be the only way Samoa could hope to beat the world champion Boks.
“I think we need to go all out and really move the ball around and try and get as far away from structure rugby as possible,” he said of how Samoa could upset the Springboks.
“We know how strong South Africa are. They are very clinical at the set piece and also at building pressure. They have a goalkicker who will slot it from anywhere. We need to break it up a bit I think.”
Samoa have exhibited a decent set piece themselves and used this to good effect against Fiji. The return of blindside flanker Taiasina Tuifua also gave them more potency at the breakdowns.
With plenty of ball and Tusi Pisi back from injury to be in the driving seat at No 10, they were able to operate from the right areas of the paddock to frustrate Fiji.
They built up a 15-0 lead through Pisi’s boot before halfback Kahn Fotuali’i and impressive No 8 George Stowers finally crossed for second-half tries to seal the win.
But there was still a feeling that Samoa had only fired off one barrel against Fiji. They know they will need to unload both against the Boks.
“Going into this Fiji game we discussed at length how we haven’t really fired a shot at this World Cup. There has been a lot of hype about this team since we beat Australia and I don’t think we have played to our full potential. Hopefully we can do that this week,”
said Mapusua, a former Highlanders midfield back who knows plenty about South African rugby.
Mapusua said the leadup win against Australia two months ago remained the benchmark for this side and they would need something similar to survive beyond Friday’s fascinating final pool match.
“That’s what we are working towards and I think we are slowly progressing over the last three games. We got the win here which is the main thing, so next week we can take it a step further. I think we have that big game in us.”
He made no excuses for the pragmatic approach yesterday given what was at stake. After wingers Sailosi Tagicakibau and Alesana Tuilagi nailed tries in the first 10 minutes Samoa tightened their game plan.
“I think you are seeing what you might call the maturing of island teams. It wasn’t quite the spectacle but it’s a test match at the World Cup and everyone knew what was at stake. It was do or die for both teams.
“I think there was more emphasis on playing the percentages and building pressure and accumulating points, hoping it would open up later when Fiji tired.”
That’s eventually what happened and this surprisingly limited Fijian side helped Samoa with their high error rate.
Fiji go on to play Wales next Sunday and might have something to play for themselves, despite this loss. Their quarterfinal chances are gone but third place could yet be up for grabs.
It promises to be a hectic weekend.
“There’s everything to play for. I think for us the quarterfinals come a week early and we will be throwing everything into it. Nothing is sewn up yet — they did name this the pool of death and it’s living up to that,” Mapusua said.
Hierdie game sou altyd ‘n taaie wees, maar vir een of ander rede dink ek die Bokke gaan gemaklik wen.
Go Bokke !!!
Ek stem saam, samoa het nie convince teen n’ powere Fiji.
Die Fiji waarteen ons gespeel het sou vandag vir Samoa laat les opse het.
He’s just copped a hiding from the All Blacks but France coach Marc Lièvremont believes his side are still amongst the best at the World Cup and suggested the Springboks are the strongest side at the tournament.
Reflecting on France’s 37-17 loss to New Zealand at Eden Park last Saturday, Lièvremont was accentuating the positives.
The French play Tonga in Wellington on Saturday still needing a win to be assured of reaching the quarterfinals.
Interestingly Lièvremont believes defending champions South Africa are the strongest side at the World Cup with their building form over their first three games.
But he felt Ireland’s win over Tri-Nations champions Australia was proof of how quickly things could change at the tournament. He will be hoping for a change in fortunes for his side after the mauling they received at the hands of the All Blacks, especially during the middle stages of the match.
Springbok coach Peter de Villiers has confirmed that Victor Matfield will captain South Africa for the first time in a Rugby World Cup match when the title holders face Samoa in Auckland next week.
De Villiers said on Saturday that Matfield, who missed their last two games against Fiji and Namibia because of a hamstring injury, was fit to play.
Matfield, who has led the Blue Bulls to three Super Rugby titles, was set to take the leadership role from regular skipper John Smit, who would be replaced at hooker by Bismarck du Plessis.
“We need to give him (Du Plessis) that valuable start so that he can, in his mind, also feel comfortable, and John needs to rest,” De Villiers said.
“John had a tough time now and he is like the Duracell bunny at the moment – he just keeps on going.
“Not that he squeals, but I have to manage him too.”
The Bok coach hinted that he would ring the changes after the defending champions secured their third straight win in the competition with an 87-0 victory over Namibia on Thursday.
“We will know after today who is going to start because what Samoa brings can cause us to make some changes,” he said.
Du Plessis has been a pillar of strength in the national setup, bringing a physical presence to the team, and De Villiers said some of his other heavies would also be let loose against the Samoans.
“He (Du Plessis) will need some big guys around him that enhance his talents and I think we’ve got the right people there,” he said. – Sapa
Jis now the coach is calling Smit a rabbit!!!
@ 4man:
Did you enjoy the flower pictures on Facebook, i wish i could stay in a garden like that.
@ superBul:
I did. Our late summer flowers are all coming out now and the garden is ablaze with colour, lots of lilies, gardenias etc. Stuff really grows here. Then winter everything sleeps, but it stays green. Its interesting it doesnt really drop below zero just a constant between 1 degree and 9 degrees and then in summer it goes wild. A lot of farmers actually grow crops twice in one season.
@ 4man
Where do you live , my memory is bad, witch part
It’s ridiculous even to contemplate Samoa beating the Boks. Maybe a 2nd string or c team, but not this team. See the Boks putting on their 50 against Samoa or at least keeping them tryless or even scoreless.
@ superBul:
Must mean PdV is going to play CJ on bench and leave Smitty out completely.
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