Samoa V NZ : Mon Oct 27, 2014 7:21 am  

The England game was just a warm-up for Samoa.
Beating NZ in NZ in a game of Rugby is the biggest thing imaginable for Samoans.
In the World Cup the Samoans lost 42-24 to NZ. They started slowly, but put in a fantastic second half, and that convinced many of the players that they can match NZ.
The good news for England is that the Samoans will throw everything at the Kiwis, and if they don't win the game, they'll want to win the fight.
NZ should win, but the Samoans will throw everything they have at them.
It should be a brutal encounter. Possibly the most passionate game of the 4 nations.

Re: Samoa V NZ : Tue Oct 28, 2014 1:40 am  

NZ by 20+ but a cracking crowd (25k+) on a sunny day and as you say, some brutal hits. Samoa v England were big and brutal, but England's defensive line speed, especially in the 2nd half, invited Samoa to attack.....they won't get half the time v NZ.

Re: Samoa V NZ : Tue Oct 28, 2014 5:32 am  

New Zealand

1. Peta Hiku
2. Jason Nightingale
3. Dean Whare
4. Shaun Kenny-Dowall
5. Manu Vatuvei
6. Kieran Foran
7. Shaun Johnson
8. Jesse Bromwich
9. Issac Luke
10. Adam Blair
11. Simon Mannering (c)
12. Kevin Proctor
13. Jason Taumalolo

14. Lewis Brown
15. Suaia Matagi
16. Martin Taupau
17. Tohu Harris
18. Bodene Thompson

Samoa

1. Tim Simona
2. Antonio Winterstein
3. Tim Lafai
4. Joey Leilua
5. Daniel Vidot
6. Ben Roberts
7. Kyle Stanley
8. Issac Liu
9. Pita Godinet
10. David Fa'alogo (c)
11. Frank Pritchard
12. Lesson Ah Mau
13. Josh McGuire

14. Dunamis Lui
15. Jesse Sene-Lefao
16. Sauaso Sue
17. Mose Masoe
18. Dominique Peyroux
19. Penani Manumalealii

Re: Samoa V NZ : Tue Oct 28, 2014 8:11 am  

I just hope it's not the usual case of the fourth nation putting everything in to the England game then they look flat in the next two. The aggression that the likes of Fiji and PNG have shown against us in the past has been full on yet when they face NZ or the Aussies they look timid.

I'd be surprised if the Kiwis don't win by at least 20 points.

[PopTart]

Re: Samoa V NZ : Tue Oct 28, 2014 1:42 pm  

There is a long and bitter rivalry between Samoa and NZ historically so I don't imagine that they would not put all their effort in.
The problem is that NZ are on fire and may beat them no matter ow well they play.

It will be bruising though.

Re: Samoa V NZ : Tue Oct 28, 2014 4:22 pm  

PopTart wrote:

There is a long and bitter rivalry between Samoa and NZ historically so I don't imagine that they would not put all their effort in.
The problem is that NZ are on fire and may beat them no matter ow well they play.

It will be bruising though.

NZ on fire? Although they were good i wouldn't say NZ were awesome against the Aussies.Aussies were as bad as i have seen them in many a year.

That said i do expect them to beat Samoa quite handily and when they get a couple of scores clear they will fold unlike against us.

[PopTart]

Re: Samoa V NZ : Wed Oct 29, 2014 1:03 pm  

Biff Tannen wrote:

NZ on fire? Although they were good i wouldn't say NZ were awesome against the Aussies.Aussies were as bad as i have seen them in many a year.

That said i do expect them to beat Samoa quite handily and when they get a couple of scores clear they will fold unlike against us.

Ok, burning quite nicely instead of on fire. Certainly effective.

Re: Samoa V NZ : Sat Nov 01, 2014 3:25 am  

That big kid doesn't look fast, but no one got near him.

Re: Samoa V NZ : Sat Nov 01, 2014 3:50 am  

The defence from Samoa is strong enough to win this so far, but it's hard to think they can do it for 80.

Re: Samoa V NZ : Sat Nov 01, 2014 4:08 am  

Great first half.
Both sides made mistakes and could have scored a few more tries, but the defence from both has been brutal.