Boe fears humiliating losses for Islanders in upcoming tests

By CHRIS RATTUE

Pacific Islanders coach John Boe says the future of the new team is already threatened after Scotland thrashed Samoa in Wellington.

Boe fears the Islanders, an IRB-backed concept to rejuvenate rugby in the region, will be "humiliated" in tests against Australia, New Zealand and South Africa next month.

Boe, who watched Fiji's 27-26 win over Tonga in Nuku'alofa, has yet to see the tape of Scotland's 38-3 win on Friday night.

But he had expected the Samoan team he coached until last year to beat Scotland, who had lost their previous six tests and were thrashed 41-5 by Queensland.

The Island nations want mainly locals selected, although there will be some New Zealand and possibly Australian players used to bolster the team.

Tonga have a young team so Samoa and Fiji will provide the bulk of the side, who play two warm-up games in Australia before taking on the Wallabies in Adelaide, the All Blacks at Albany, and the Springboks in Brisbane.

Boe said the latest match in Tonga underscored rugby's importance to the Island nations.

He added: "I cannot believe that score in Wellington. It's unacceptable. If we perform like that, then heaven help us.

"If that happened, the concept might get squashed and that would be sad. No one thinks we can beat those three, but we must play exciting rugby with a lot of pride, excite the people, and come off with our heads held high.

"It's not just about fostering the global game. It's about how big a part rugby plays in the Islands. If you take that away from them - and it's happening slowly - it has a real impact on their culture. We can't allow it to happen."

Boe stepped down as Samoan coach after last year's World Cup, with All Black legend Michael Jones taking over.

Boe said: "Twelve of the 15 who played in Wellington fronted up against England in the World Cup. We had done so much good work to get Samoa and the Islanders' name up there. We really put it to England for 64 minutes.

"That's a huge drop in standard and alarming. Scotland couldn't beat Italy, but thrashed Samoa.

"I'm extremely disappointed. We have lost a lot of face, to be honest."

The Islanders' squad will be announced after Fiji play Samoa in Suva on Saturday night.