Rugby World  Cup 2007 - Pool A Match

Samoa v USA

26 September 2007 - 20:00(Local Time) Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, St Etienne

This is the end of the line for Samoa on Wednesday, as this is their last match in the Rugby World Cup 2007 and if they don't show up against this much improved  USA team they will end up bottom of Pool A.

USA on the other hand have another game in hand however, this is against the mighty South Africans so to be fair I can't see them getting many points from the Boks.

The Samoan coach  Jones had had problems with injuries Jones said

"They've all been freak accidents, "They've been fractured eye sockets, broken ribs, a broken wrist - I can't even remember them all. They're just freak accidents. It's not through over- or under-training. You'd normally expect two or three in a World Cup, but as of (Sunday) we've had 11.

"It hasn't helped our cause. For us, saying goodbye all the time isn't good either. We're a very tight team. But the best teams in the world would struggle losing guys like we have. It has a big impact on a team like ours."

The injury crisis has forced Jones to call up 19-year-old prop Naama Leleimalefaga onto his bench. Leleimalefaga is part of Samoa's rugby academy, but has been based in Montpellier to gain extra experience.

"It's a bit like work experience for him," Jones said. "We're very thankful for clubs like Montpellier who have taken in our boys. Where better to learn the art of scrummaging than in France?"

Plus one of his star players Brian Lima  nicknamed ' The Chiropractor' (you can guess why can't you?) has been suspended for three weeks following a judicial hearing on Monday.  Lima was cited for a dangerous tackle against England star Jonny Wilkinson during the match in Nantes on Saturday.  Elvis Seveali'I starts at inside centre in Lima's place.

"It's a tragedy for him and Samoa and all the supporters of the world who loved watching Brian play," Jones said. "The real pity is this is the first time in 18 years he has ever been cited."

Brian Lima - Will retire after Rugby World Cup 2007

Howver, Samoa have appealed against Lima's three-week suspension for a dangerous tackle on England star Jonny Wilkinson, so we shall see?

Meanwhile the USA's last match was  against Tonga on the 12th September and they were beaten 25-15.  However they have not been sitting on their laurels and have had a practice match against a local French team from Bourgogne, and from what we hear they scored four tries but nothing has been documented.

USA's Hayden Mexted will earn his seventh cap, while 34-year-old Fifita Mounga and South African-born Philip Eloff will play their first game of this tournament. Henry Bloomfield and Albert Tuipulotu have been relegated to the bench, while Mike Mangan has not been included in the squad.

Head Coach Thorburn said "It will again be a physical game and we have to be careful with their individual skills,"

USA's Valenese Malifa (fly half)  who was born in Samoa and is up for the challenge said

"It will be a great experience. I have a lot of friends on the other side and I know it will be tough. Anyway, I know that on the field I am American even if I feel Samoan off the field. It will definitely be something very special."

Samoa :

1 Kas Lealamanua 2 Mahonri Schwalger 3 Census Johnston 4 Leo Lafaiali'I 5 Kane Thompson 6 Semo Sititi (c) 7 Justin Purdie 8 Alfie Vaeluaga 9 Junior Polu 10 Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu 11 Alesana Tuilagi 12 Elvis Seveali'I 13 Seilala Mapusua 14 Lome Fa'atau 15 Loki Crichton

Replacements: 16 Silao Vaisola Sefo 17 Naama Leleimalefaga 18 Joe Tekori 19 Ulia Ulia 20 Steve So'oialo 21 David Lemi 22 Lolo Lui

USA  

1 Mike MacDonald 2 Owen Lentz 3 Chris Osentowski 4 Alec Parker 5 Hayden Mexted 6 Louis Stanfill 7 Todd Clever 8 Fifita Mounga 9 Chad Erskine 10 Mike Hercus (c) 11 Takudzwa Ngwenya 12 Vahafolau Esikia 13 Philip Eloff 14 Salesi Sika 15 Chris Wyles

Replacements: 16 Blake Burdette 17 Matekitonga Moeakiola 18 Mark Aylor 19 Henry Bloomfield 20 Mike Petri 21 Valenese Malifa 22 Albert Tuipulotu

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