By Kath 24/10/03
October 24 2003

England have moved onto Melbourne for their next Pool C, match against Samoa. Clive Woodward England Head Coach has put out another strong team.

Please Remember!!

BRITISH SUMMER TIME ENDS SATURDAY 25/10/03- CLOCKS GO BACK ONE HOUR 2AM SUN MORNING!

 

Clive Woodward England Head Coach has again fielded a very strong team to face Samoa. 

Samoa will be tough opponents however, they could have been even tougher if the New Zealanders had allowed the Samoan players who play in the Super 12 and New Zealand NPC to be released over to them!

John Boe stated in an article recently "The disappointing thing is that we've never even tried to get players like 'All Blacks' Tana Umaga and Mils Muliaina to play for Samoa"  Boe says " We are only looking at the second tie of players, but we can't even get them.  We have to settle for club players"  "No one admits it that many Super 12 and New Zealand NPC players are told that if they want to keep their contracts, they can't make themselves available for Samoa, Tonga or Fiji"

"People in Samoa adore the 'All Blacks' and want their players to wear the black jersey, but they also love Manu Samoa, and those player who don't make the All Blacks should be allowed to play for Samoa - It's simple," says Boe!

And of course, two of their finest current international wanderers, Henry Tuilagi (Leicester) and Trevor Leota (Wasps) have both been left behind for financial reasons this time. The cash-starved Samoan rugby union almost withdrew from international rugby altogether a month ago.

So we can be sure that the Samoan team and management will be out to prove something against England, The New Zealanders and the World on Sunday.  And as they are the Pool C leaders on points with 10 - we look forward to seeing them play.

In the meantime, Clive has this to say....

"Samoa are a physical tacklers, as are every team we face. We are putting out our strongest line up. "They are a very dangerous team when they get the ball. They have been outstanding in their two games so far.  "We have got to treat them as anyone else, which is why we have put out a team on paper that is stronger than the one we played against South Africa."

"It is a big chance for people like Iain Balshaw and Joe Worsley, but these were close calls anyway.  "A back three of Robinson, Balshaw and Ben Cohen for this game is one of the stand-out back threes in the tournament."

 

England: J Robinson; I Balshaw, S Abbott, M Tindall, B Cohen; J Wilkinson, M Dawson; J Leonard, M Regan, J White; M Johnson(Captain) B Kay; J Worsley, N Back, L Dallaglio 

Replacements: S Thompson, P Vickery, M Corry, L Moody, A Gomarsall, M Catt, D Luger

 

Samoa:   T Vili; L Fa'atau, T Fanolua, B Lima, S Tagicakibau; E Va'a, S So'oialo; K Lealamanua, J Meredith, J Tomuli, O Palepoi, L Lafaiali'i, P Poulus, M Fa'asavalu, S Sititi (Captain).                                                                

Replacements: M Schwalger, S Lemalu, K Viliamu, D Tuiavi'i, D Tyrell, D Rasmussen, D Feaunati.

 

Just time to sound my usual cry...............

The game's afoot:
Follow your spirit; and, upon this charge.......
'CRY GOD FOR HARRY ENGLAND AND ST. GEORGE '
Henry V (1599) Act3, Scene1