Samoa sticking to style

By CHRIS RATTUE

NPC champions Auckland can expect Samoa's traditional free-flowing game and big-hitting defence when they clash at Eden Park tonight.

Coach John Boe names his World Cup squad in a fortnight, after more fitness testing, and tonight's game is the last in a series that included playing three Currie Cup teams in South Africa in a six-day period, and New South Wales, Queensland and Ireland in nine days.

The Samoans go into camp in Auckland a month before the World Cup, and have two weeks in Perth before their first game against Uruguay.

Samoa will aim to upset England and/or South Africa, who beat the Samoans 60-18 in Pretoria a year ago, in their World Cup pool.

Boe said: "We've scored some great tries but we're not there yet. We beat Northland on Saturday but it wasn't a great performance by either team.

"Our belief is at each World Cup there are upsets ... We'll definitely have a go at South Africa. We scored three tries against them last year and although they beat us, it was on the high veldt and we'd just flown in.

"England ... if we don't give ourselves a chance we might as well stay home.

"The Samoans have a traditional flowing style with big hit defence, getting the ball around the field, and that's what we've tried to continue while fine tuning it. What lets us down are unforced errors, largely because 80 per cent of our players are from club rugby.

"That's why these games are invaluable. The players grow an arm and a leg after each one."

The Samoans face Auckland without hard charging hooker Trevor Leota and leading back Fereti Tuilagi, who are tied to English clubs. Other absentees include Hurricane Lome Fa'atau (broken finger) and fellow wing Afato So'oalo, who has been trying to break into the Canterbury side.

fusixpointAuckland: Brent Ward, Iliesa Tanivula, Ben Atiga, Sam Tuitupou, Tony Koonwaiyou, Orene Aii, David Gibson; Xavier Rush (capt), Daniel Braid, Angus Macdonald, Bryce Williams, Bradley Mika, Nick White, Derren Witcombe, Scott Palmer. Res: Richard Kirke, Chris Heard, Sione Lauaki, Craig De Goldi; Craig McGrath, Tasesa Lavea, Isa Necewa.

Samoa: Tanner Vili, Ron Fanuatanu, Terry Fanolua, Brian Lima, Romi Ropati, Earl Va'a, Steven So'oialo; Semo Sititi (capt), Maurie Fa'asavalu, Siaosi Vaili, Leo Lafaiali'i, Opeta Palepoi, Jeremy Tomuli, Jonathan Meredith, Tamato Leupolu. Res: Mahonri Schwalger, Kas Lealamanua, Mike von Dincklage, Patrick Segi; Denning Tyrell, Dale Rasmussen, Sailosi Tagicakibau.

Referee: Paul Honiss. Kickoff: 7.35pm.