PRESS RELEASE

MANU SAMOA RUGBY WORLD CUP 2007

TOUR REPORT 8

Date 17 September 2007

Manu Samoa – not done yet!!!

Montpellier, France —Samoa now takes the harder road to the knock-out rounds of the Rugby World Cup.

“Yesterday's result against Tonga would be considered one of the hardest days in Samoan rugby”, said Su’a Peter Schuster, CEO for the Samoa Rugby Union and coach of the 1991 and 1995 Manu Samoa teams.

“We were confident right up to the last minute that we would win however this unfortunately was not the case”.

The Manu Samoa game plan was based on a kicking game aimed at forcing the Tongans deep into their own territory, and from that position exert pressure to force errors and then capitalizing on those errors.

But as the game wore on, Manu Samoa’s lack of accuracy coupled with greater Tongan enthusiasm saw many opportunities wasted and attacks blunted through mishandling, “the team seemed to lack the confidence and commitment to get through, and simply did not put their bodies on the line” Su’a further adds.

Despite the result, Su’a believes the Manu Samoa are the better skilled side. “We certainly have the players capable of giving us a win, which makes it all the more disappointing”, Su’a said.

“However our challenge is now to put this loss behind us and to focus entirely on the English. We have reached the point of no return and its either us or them (England).

“We owe this match to our people back home and all over the world who have supported us from day-1, the Manu Samoa are not done yet”, says a determined Su’a.

The team gathered on Sunday night and Monday morning with the coaching staff issuing an all out warning for everyone to front up both physically and mentally in preparation for its crucial game against England this Saturday.

The Manu Samoa team still stand a good chance of making the Quarter Finals should they win against England this Saturday and against U.S.A on the 26th at St Eteine.

“We are confident we can beat the USA with a bonus point and there is a likelihood Tonga could struggle against England and South Africa”, adds Su’a. “With the games remaining between the English, Tonga and the Manu, the bonus point gained against Tonga could give the Manu Samoa a decided advantage. As it stands, should Tonga lose both matches without a bonus point, accompanied by the Manu Samoa beating the English and U.S.A with a bonus point, Manu Samoa could very well advance to the quarter finals.”

However, the story will end for Samoa and the English if Tonga beats the England in their clash on 28 September in Paris.

In the meantime, injury woes continue to ravish the Samoan camp. Manu Samoa suffered another major blow at last Friday’s training prior to the Tonga match—Justin Va’a carried from the training ground with a ruptured calf muscle. An injury ruling Justin out for 5-7 weeks, effectively ending the Samoan props Rugby World Cup. A replacement is currently being sought.

Others who have sustained injuries during the game were Gavin Williams (hand-need specialist clearance), Mahonri Schwalger (bruised hip) and Muliufi Salanoa (knee-need further scan).

Present Points Tally
South Africa - 9
Tonga - 8
England - 4
Samoa - 1
USA - 0