Rugby: New Zealand 101 Samoa 14
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The New Zealand All Blacks humbled Samoa running in 15 tries in a 101-14 victory over a depleted Samoan team. The All Blacks were unstoppable scoring quicker than the timeclock throughout the match, at times the All Blacks notched tries with ease.
Mils Muliaina scored three while Conrad Smith and Richard Kahui both scored two tries in the victory. The All Blacks led 47-7 at halftime but the Samoans were unable to withstand the barrage in the second half as the tries started amassing.
Samoa managed to get on the scorebard through tries to Uale Mai and Alafoti Faosiliva.
Hopefully the result will drive the New Zealand and Australian rugby boards to take a more active role in developing the talent in the Pacific Islands to allow them to play more regular international football and retain their most talented personnel instead of losing them overseas.
A good starting point would be to involve the Pacific Islands in an expanded Super 14 or through a provincial New Zealand, Australia, Asia and Pacific Islands competition.
New Zealand 101
Tries: Mils Muliaina 3, Conrad Smith 2, Richard Kahui 2, Adam Thomson, Jimmy Cowan, Stephen Donald, Ali Williams, Jerome Kaino, Isaia Toeava, Piri Weepu and Penalty Try
Goals: Dan Carter 6 conversions, Stephen Donald 7 conversions
Samoa 14
Tries: Uale Mai, Alafoti Faosiliva
Goals: Uale Mai conversion, Roger Warren conversion
Rugby Preview: New Zealand vs Samoa
New Zealand will take on Samoa tomorrow night at New Plymouth in New Zealand in what will be almost a training run for the All Blacks. Samoa who have not been able to secure the release of their big stars playing in New Zealand or Europe will struggle to be competitive but will naturally give it their all in true Samoan tradition.
New Zealand have a test strength side and will not show any mercy against their Pacific Island rivals in what is a real David and Goliath clash. The Samoan’s have built their team mostly from the major sides in Samoa and seem hardly prepared for the clash ahead of them.
Samoa’s captain Filipo Levi will have his work cut-out trying to pull together the disparate group of players with an aim to be competitive. Only the most vervent Samoan supporter would expect that Samoa could pull off the biggest upset of the decade.
The All Blacks will be without Richie McCaw who is still recovering from a rib injury that was incurred in the Springboks match in South Africa. The All Blacks will be keen for a tough hit out before the Rugby Tri-Nations decider next week and Henry will push his troops hard for a big result.
What will worry Henry most is any potential injuries that his players may incur against the tough Samoan’s. This is likely to be his only concern but the All Blacks have to be careful they do not fall into the same trap as South Africa. South Africa smashed Argentina the week before they lost the crucial match against the All Blacks 19-0 at home.
The Argentina match was supposed to prepare the Boks but in fact did the opposite and it could be perceived as having cost the Boks the match as they did not deliver the intensity required against the All Blacks. This is what Henry will worry about along with any potential injuries to his stars, particularly Dan Carter.
The Ruck and Maul Verdict: All Blacks by 64.
New Zealand
Mils Muliaina, Richard Kahui, Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu, Anthony Tuitavake, Dan Carter, Jimmy Cowan, Rodney So’oialo, Adam Thomson, Jerome Kaino, Ali Williams, Anthony Boric, Greg Somerville, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock.
Reserves: Keven Mealamu, Neemia Tialata, Sione Lauaki, Piri Weepu, Stephen Donald, Isaia Toeava, Rudi Wulf.
Samoa
Alatasi Tupou, Reupena Levasa, Pale Toelupe, Jerry Meafou, Esera Lauina, Uale Mai, Notise Tauafao; George Stowers, Alafoti Faosiliva, Semo Sititi, Chad Slade, Filipo Levi, Heroshi Tea, Loleni Tafunai, Simon Lemalu.
Reserves: Lafoga Aoelua, Roysiu Tolufale, Maselino Paulino, Simaika Mikaele, Junior Poluleuligaga, Roger Warren, Romi Ropati.
Could the All Blacks tour the Pacific Islands?
Graham Henry has discussed the possibility of the New Zealand All Blacks touring the Pacific Islands. Henry mentioned the possibility in the lead-up to the clash with Samoa tomorrow.
Henry indicated that the opportunity to travel to the Pacific Islands would be a worthwhile idea but it needed to be considered within the already packed Rugby calendar.
There is no doubt that the idea of the All Blacks travelling through the Pacific Islands would be a good idea as the All Blacks would generate massive interest among fans in the places like Samoa, Tonga and Fiji. A tour would also provide some recognition for the contribution the Pacific Nations have made towards the Australian and New Zealand rugby union’s.
Do you think the All Blacks should tour the Pacific Islands?
I think it would be great for the game and perhaps they could interchange with Australia every second year to help build momentum in these rugby nations.
New Zealand team announced for Samoa
The New Zealand All Blacks have named their team to play Samoa on Wednesday at New Plymouth. Predictably Richie McCaw was left out of the team after not being fully recovered from bruised ribs that were suffered against South Africa. McCaw is replaced at openside flanker by Adam Thomson.
In other changes to the side Brad Thorn and Sitiveni Sivivatu have been ruled out with hamstring and ankle injuries respectively. Anthony Boric and Anthony Tuitavake replace both stars.
Rodney So’oialo takes over the captaincy from Richie McCaw as he did in the earlier part of the season when McCaw was injured against England. Apart from the forced changes the All Blacks are at full strength ahead of their clash with Samoa.
The All Blacks team is;
Mils Muliaina, Richard Kahui, Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu, Anthony Tuitavake, Dan Carter, Jimmy Cowan, Rodney So’oialo, Adam Thomson, Jerome Kaino, Ali Williams, Anthony Boric, Greg Somerville, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock.
Reserves: Keven Mealamu, Neemia Tialata, Sione Lauaki, Piri Weepu, Stephen Donald, Isaia Toeava, Rudi Wulf.
McCaw likely to sit out Samoa match
Richie McCaw is likely to miss the All Blacks clash with Samoa after he has been slow to recover from a knock to his ribs in New Zealand 19-0 victory over South Africa two weeks ago.
Such is McCaw’s importance to the All Blacks coach Graham Henry would not risk him unless absolutely fit. The key clash for the All Blacks is Australia on 13 September and McCaw is key to the All Blacks claiming the Rugby Tri-Nations series and Bledisloe Cup. The All Blacks previous loss to Australia was when McCaw was unavailable through injury and his leadership acts like a talismen to his team-mates.
Rugby World Cup 2011 Venues to be Announced
The New Zealand Rugby board will meet next Thursday and finalise the venues and the cities that have secured the hosting rights for the quarterfinals and third place match.
The venue of the final and semi-finals have been secured by Auckland to be held at the new upgraded Eden Park. The Eden Park upgrade will make it comfortably the biggest stadium for the World Cup and the only appropriate stadium that can accomodate a World cup semi-final or final crowd.
Auckand have also bid for the quarter finals and the third and fourth place final. Christchurch, Dunedin and Wellington are well placed to pickup a few matches due to their relative sized stadiums and their strong Rugby origins.
New Zealand vs England Preview
New Zealand will line up against a revamped English side tomorrow in Auckland in what should be an entertaining match. England will be desperate to show no weakness against the All Blacks and need to impress early in the contest to stand any chance of winning.
England made six changes, five of which were in the backline as coach Rob Andrew looks for answers following the lame performance from his backline last week in the 37-20 loss. The English forward pack who were touched up last week will be up against it again this week, especially without their star Andy Sheridan. I expect we will see a tough and combative match once again and the English backrow who were a shinning light in last week’s performance will do their level best at the breakdown to keep the English in the match.
New Zealand on the other hand have made several changes but not through form but more a rotational basis. The All Blacks were solid last week without being outstanding and will be looking for improvements around the field. The focus this week will be on ensuring a better lineout after the New Zealand team were ineffectual last week. The New Zealand team have far too much firepower and experience for the English to beat them at home. Nonu who delivered one of his best performances for the All Blacks last week can be expected to shine again as he is laying claim to one of the best players in the game. Carter has been in red hot form this year and if given any space will capitalise.
New Zealand by 12 in what will be a tougher and more spirited effort from England than last week. The teams are;
New Zealand
Leon MacDonald, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Richard Kahui, Ma’a Nonu, Rudi Wulf, Dan Carter, Andy Ellis, Rodney So’oialo, Richie McCaw, Adam Thomson, Ali Williams, Brad Thorn, Greg Somerville, Andrew Hore, Neemia Tialata.
Reserves: Kevin Mealamu, Tony Woodcock, Anthony Boric, Sione Lauaki, Jimmy Cowan, Stephen Donald, Mils Muliaina.
England
Mathew Tait, Topsy Ojo, Mike Tindall, Jamie Noon, Tom Varndell, Toby Flood, Danny Care, Luke Narraway, Tom Rees, James Haskell, Steve Borthwick, Tom Palmer, Matt Stevens, Lee Mears, Tim Payne.
Reserves: David Paice, Jason Hobson, Ben Kay, Joe Worsley, Pete Richards, Olly Barkley, David Strettle.
All Blacks Team Announcement for English Test
Graham Henry has made two selection changes and several positional changes from the side that easily defeated England 37-20 last week. Richard Kahui and Rudi Wulf will make their debuts against England in Saturday, replacing Conrad Smith and Anthony Tuitavake respectively.
Leon McDonald replaced Mils Muliaina at fullback, Muliaina drops back to the bench which Sitiveni Sivivatu has swapped from the left to right wing. Adam Thompson has also been moved into the blindside flanker role allowing Rodney So’oialo to drop back to his favoured No. 8 role.
The All Blacks will be keen to cement a clear 2-0 victory over the English side in what have developed into quite heated build up to the second test on Saturday with a strong war of words between the two coaches with England putting pressure on the tactics of Richie McCaw at the breakdown during the first test victory to the All Blacks.
The New Zealand All Blacks team is;
Leon MacDonald, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Richard Kahui, Ma’a Nonu, Rudi Wulf, Dan Carter, Andy Ellis, Rodney So’oialo, Richie McCaw, Adam Thomson, Ali Williams, Brad Thorn, Greg Somerville, Andrew Hore, Neemia Tialata.
Reserves: Kevin Mealamu, Tony Woodcock, Anthony Boric, Sione Lauaki, Jimmy Cowan, Stephen Donald, Mils Muliaina.