Re: England vs Samoa: do or dire! : Tue Oct 21, 2014 11:34 pm  

Of the 25 man Samoan Squad, 2 were actually born in Samoa, 11 in Australia and 12 in New Zealand.

The Domestic competition in Samoa contained 10 teams in the last completed season (2014) and no players from this competition are included in their 4 Nations Squad. Neither of the Samoan born players (Penani Manumalealii or Tim Lafai) are in the 17 to play England.

This is the first TOP TIER meeting of the countries, with the only previous meeting in 2006 when England hosted Samoa in Hull whilst Great Britain were playing in New Zealand.
Samoa are ranked #7 in the world to England's 3rd place.
Tickets for this game and the following game between the top 2 teams in the world are available from AU $35.68 each (20 QUID) at the 52,500 capacity Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.

England should win this game comfortably.

Re: England vs Samoa: do or dire! : Tue Oct 21, 2014 11:45 pm  

gutterfax wrote:

Of the 25 man Samoan Squad, 2 were actually born in Samoa, 11 in Australia and 12 in New Zealand.

The Domestic competition in Samoa contained 10 teams in the last completed season (2014) and no players from this competition are included in their 4 Nations Squad. Neither of the Samoan born players (Penani Manumalealii or Tim Lafai) are in the 17 to play England.

This is the first TOP TIER meeting of the countries, with the only previous meeting in 2006 when England hosted Samoa in Hull whilst Great Britain were playing in New Zealand.
Samoa are ranked #7 in the world to England's 3rd place.
Tickets for this game and the following game between the top 2 teams in the world are available from AU $35.68 each (20 QUID) at the 52,500 capacity Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.

England should win this game comfortably.

England should win this game. But whether or not it will win, and whether it will win comfortably, is not assured.

Re: England vs Samoa: do or dire! : Wed Oct 22, 2014 12:54 am  

https://www.tab.co.nz/sport/#1623 Either an opportunity from Lazy Bookmakers (happened before...Harlequins RL July 20th 2008...we had 5 players banned from the previous weeks brawl with the filthy French Scum but the bookies gave 5/1 on Castleford who were relegated that year).... or an accurate reflection of what should happen this weekend? You decide, but I'll have a cheeky $50 on Samoa.

https://www.tab.co.nz/sport/#1623 Either an opportunity from Lazy Bookmakers (happened before...Harlequins RL July 20th 2008...we had 5 players banned from the previous weeks brawl with the filthy French Scum but the bookies gave 5/1 on Castleford who were relegated that year).... or an accurate reflection of what should happen this weekend? You decide, but I'll have a cheeky $50 on Samoa.

Re: England vs Samoa: do or dire! : Wed Oct 22, 2014 2:24 am  

gutterfax wrote:

Of the 25 man Samoan Squad, 2 were actually born in Samoa, 11 in Australia and 12 in New Zealand.

The Domestic competition in Samoa contained 10 teams in the last completed season (2014) and no players from this competition are included in their 4 Nations Squad. Neither of the Samoan born players (Penani Manumalealii or Tim Lafai) are in the 17 to play England.

This is the first TOP TIER meeting of the countries, with the only previous meeting in 2006 when England hosted Samoa in Hull whilst Great Britain were playing in New Zealand.
Samoa are ranked #7 in the world to England's 3rd place.
Tickets for this game and the following game between the top 2 teams in the world are available from AU $35.68 each (20 QUID) at the 52,500 capacity Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.

England should win this game comfortably.

This is another gripe i have about International Rugby League. Surely to encourage growth at local level X amount of players should be included in the 25 man squad from the local Comp?

Re: England vs Samoa: do or dire! : Wed Oct 22, 2014 5:05 am  

JEAN CAPDOUZE wrote:

The Samoa No 6 is Ben Roberts has had an excellent season with Melbourne Storm. He has flourished under the coaching of Craig Bellamy. Kyle Stanley is not a specialist scrum half, for sure, but he is a good player.

The Samoan full back is Tim Simona, who is a specialist centre. But he is lightning fast, and if his kick catching is sound he will be a threat from full back.

The only real weakness in the team is hooker Sio.

Ben Roberts had an excellent season?????

You are having a laugh!

Wasn't a patch on widdop all season

Re: England vs Samoa: do or dire! : Wed Oct 22, 2014 9:23 am  

Don't you mean Benjamin and Timothy?

Re: England vs Samoa: do or dire! : Wed Oct 22, 2014 11:04 am  

I came across these great summaries of both England & Samoa .... I think they are pretty spot on!!! England ----> http://www.guyjest.com/rugby-league-tea ... s-edition/ Samoa ----> http://www.guyjest.com/rugby-league-tea ... s-edition/ Thoughts?

I came across these great summaries of both England & Samoa .... I think they are pretty spot on!!! England ----> http://www.guyjest.com/rugby-league-tea ... s-edition/ Samoa ----> http://www.guyjest.com/rugby-league-tea ... s-edition/ Thoughts?

Re: England vs Samoa: do or dire! : Wed Oct 22, 2014 1:55 pm  

Big Steve wrote:

Don't you mean Benjamin and Timothy?

Yes!

Re: England vs Samoa: do or dire! : Wed Oct 22, 2014 1:58 pm  

Cambop wrote: I came across these great summaries of both England & Samoa .... I think they are pretty spot on!!! England ----> http://www.guyjest.com/rugby-league-tea ... s-edition/ Samoa ----> http://www.guyjest.com/rugby-league-tea ... s-edition/ Thoughts? This guy jest is a real cynic. The basic fact is that James Graham and the Burgess twins can win it for England. The only backup reinforcements for the following week are O'Loughlin and Whitehead. If England don't beat Samoa it is indeed dire.

Cambop wrote: I came across these great summaries of both England & Samoa .... I think they are pretty spot on!!! England ----> http://www.guyjest.com/rugby-league-tea ... s-edition/ Samoa ----> http://www.guyjest.com/rugby-league-tea ... s-edition/ Thoughts? This guy jest is a real cynic. The basic fact is that James Graham and the Burgess twins can win it for England. The only backup reinforcements for the following week are O'Loughlin and Whitehead. If England don't beat Samoa it is indeed dire.

[PopTart]

Re: England vs Samoa: do or dire! : Wed Oct 22, 2014 4:57 pm  

Samoa were beaten by Fiji weren't they in the World cup? And we beat them pretty convincingly too.

I think it will be hard, as International Rugby should be, but I am looking for an England win.
This will be, in their mind, a target win, but that doesn't mean they will.