MANU SAMOA RUGBY WORLD CUP 2007

TOUR REPORT 20

Date 24 September 2007

Samoa hurt by injury crisis

PARIS, 24 September - Samoa are still looking for their first win after three outings but can be excused for blaming their record on an unprecedented injury crisis.

Quarter-finalists at the 1991 and 1995 world cups, Samoa have lost 12 players from their original squad of 30 including three during Saturday's 44-22 defeat against England.

Flanker Daniel Leo broke his wrist, number 8 Henry Tuilagi damaged his left shoulder and scrum half Junior Polu suffered concussion.
Compounding their woes, replacement prop Fosi Palaamo is returning home due to a family illness.

Head coach La’auli Michael Jones tried to keep the crisis in perspective.

"That's pretty much how it happens for us every week.
"I don't think we've ever had such a bad run of injuries at a world cup. It's just the way it goes. It's a test of the personnel throughout your squad, the whole 30."

"Now we've lost 12 of our squad. Those (on Saturday) are all tour ending injuries."

Samoa did not compete at RWC 1987, then reached the last eight twice and lost a quarter-final play-off in 1999 before elimination following the group phase in 2003.

Samoa have won two matches in each of their four tournaments but need to beat USA next Wednesday to leave this world cup with a victory and avoid the unwanted distinction of finishing last in Pool A.