Australia were taught a tough lesson by Samoa, but were fortunate not to have underestimated a team in their World Cup Group. Samoa triumphed 32-23 after being 17 points clear in the first half.
Australia were starting many players who were on form as recently crowned Super 15 Champions in and would have expected a comfortable victory against the Samoans. The class throughout the side was there to see even without Quade Cooper to pull the strings. Perhaps Matt Giteau did not turn up and play quite as well as we know he can, but even still the rest of the Australian talent on show should have performed better. There will be serious question marks over Matt Giteau’s future in the Green and Gold shirt, it is clear from his latest performance that he must step up to match the likes of Quade Cooper and Dan Carter.
Samoa fronted up physically and dominated Australia at the breakdown. They got quick ball when they needed it and they took their chances. Alesana Tuilagi stormed through a well taken try and Paul Williams, Tusi Pisi and Kane Thompson added further tries. They did not play the most spectacular rugby, but they got the job done and deservedly won. Australia will seriously need to up their game and bring back in their star players in order to seriously compete for the Webb-Ellis Trophy in New Zealand. Hopefully Samoa will continue their form and press the likes of Fiji, Wales and maybe even South Africa.
What is clear is that no team should ever underestimate an opponent. Regardless of the fact that you may be strong favourites or not your preparation and mental focus must be the same game in game out. This has sent a shock to the major competitors for this autumn’s World Cup in New Zealand. There are some tough opponents in some of the groups. For instance Pool D has Fiji and Samoa. I predict a few scares and upsets in this pool. Wales must not underestimate Fiji again and Samoa will be incredibly physical and passionate. With dangerous players like Alesana Tuilagi, Seilala Mapusa and George Stowers to compete with they will be an exciting and menacing prospect for any team in New Zealand.
One of the more controversial members of the Samoan squad is Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu. He was in exceptional form in the Aviva Premiership for Gloucester last season and it is great to see him fighting for International Recognition again after success in 2007 in France. He is outspoken, but it is wonderful to see a player displaying such passion for his country. He raises some extremely valid points though. In particular he questions why the leading rugby nations do not play Test matches in Samoa. New Zealand and Australia are not too far away and it would provide some exciting matches between some of the quickest and strongest players in the world. I think also that teams like New Zealand and Australia who frankly ‘steal’ from Samoa’s relatively small range of talented players owe Samoa some payback for providing players such as Tana Umaga and Mils Muliaina. Follow Eliota on Twitter he makes some very valid points about the Rugby world and has some fascinating and humorous thoughts on society in general.
