Toa Samoa - World Cup Build-Up

[Manu Vatuvei]

How short is the Scottish captain!

And screeny, Meli was one of my fave players 1999-2005 and he definitely never smiles

[screeny]

Originally Posted by Manu Vatuvei

How short is the Scottish captain!

And screeny, Meli was one of my fave players 1999-2005 and he definitely never smiles

I agree re Meli. It's weird.

As for the Scottish skipper, Brough, he may be short but he's one of the most skilful players you'll see in this comp. In fact Sunday's match will be special just to see two silky smooth halves in action, brough and Max.

[Manu Vatuvei]

The 5'7" wikipedia gives Brough seems excessively generous, he looks all of 5'5"

[fobsta]

Not the finished product yet Friday, 24 October 2008 14:19 Toa Samoa Assistant Coach Willie Po Ching in action. Photo: Fasavalu Europa Rose

Toa Samoa Assistant Coach Willie Po Ching told the Observer Sports, “we’re far from the finished product, and we don’t want to be the finished product yet,” he said.
But Po Ching is confident Samoa will become the finished product before their first World Cup match against Tonga on Thursday.

“By the time we get to Thursday night, the eve of the first game against Tonga, ... we will want to be firing on all cylinders.”

“But at the moment we are probably ahead of the programme we scheduled for them before we came into camp, but come crunch time we’re going to be more than ready to play the game.”

The World Cup says Po Ching is the chance for Samoa to be recognised as a rugby league nation, even though the game rarely gets the chance to be played in Samoa.

“It’s another opportunity for us to promote ourselves, our people, our game and show how perfectly designed this game is to the Samoan people,” he said.

“These players are proud to carry Samoa’s name around the world, they are proud ambassadors of our people.”

Samoa’s first line-up for Tonga will be named sometime next week.
“We got a couple of training sessions next week in Sydney than we will probably figure out the starting line-up,” said Po Ching.

Selecting the first team however won’t be easy he said.

“There is a lot of competition for places.”
“By the time we get to Thursday night, the eve of the first game against Tonga ... we will want to be firing on all cylinders.”

“There’s a lot of people obviously who on past experience, and on recent performances will be willingly to put themselves on the front line from starting position.”

“But everybody else in the camp is putting their front foot forward and they’ve really tried hard to give themselves a starting spot.”

“So thats a healthy position for us as a coaching staff, and it’s a high position to be in, and it’s one every coach wants to have.”

“But for them to come back into an environment like this, come back home to be part of this camp it has done a massive wonder for our group as a team and as people.”

Po Ching is not a stranger to the World Cup, “I’m proud of who I am, I played in two world cups for Samoa in 95 and 2000.”

Po Ching has been the Toa’s Assictant Coach for the past two years, an organisation (Toa Samoa) he says, is “ very dear to my heart.”

“My dad was one of the people, who founded Samoa Rugby Legue, and I feel an obligation to give back to Samoa, and I do it with pride and honour.”

http://www.samoaobserver.ws/index.ph...orts&Itemid=54

[fobsta]

Meli: Beware of tough Tongan collision Thursday, 23 October 2008 13:12 Former New Zealand Warriors top try scoring winger, and Toa Samoa World Cup star, Francis Meli, is aware of the physical confrontation they’ll get from the Tongans.


Samoa will collide with their Tongan arch-rivals first up at the World Cup on 31 October in Penrith.

“Tonga will be a tough game,” Meli told Observer Sports, “especially because the two islands have a lot of history together, and it’s going to be a big battle.

“They’ve got some good players and we will be up for it. It’s definitely going to be physical but you can’t play rugby without it.

“The Tongans proved that with their game against the Kiwis.”

Ready and raring to go, the winger is one of the few Toa Samoa players to be born and raised in Samoa before his rugby league career kicked-off.

The 29-year-old star has roots in Vailima and Salelologa.
Meli recalls one time playing for the Marist sevens team: “I came back in 1997 and I played sevens here at Apia Park for Marist.

“It’s good to be back...” Meli said, “to come back now and play for my homeland is an honour.”

Meli is currently contracted to the Great Britain Super League club St. Helens who fell short of claiming this year’s grand-final over Leeds Rhinos.

The Toa Samoa world cup squad held their final training session yesterday at Apia Park Stadium and are scheduled to fly to Australia today, 11AM.


http://www.samoaobserver.ws/index.ph...tent&Itemid=54

[fobsta]

Cunning Roberts sets sight on Tonga Saturday, 25 October 2008 16:00 Cunning Ben Roberts

Toa Samoa and Canterbury Bulldogs five-eighth Ben Roberts is wary of the brute strength the Tongans will use in their opening World Cup clash on Thursday.
He intends to use his cunning footwork to evade it.
“We expect a physical game from the Tongans, but we Samoans are smarter than that,” Roberts said.

“Hopefully we get the chance to open the game up a bit; it’s not always about using our bodies, there is also the attribute of stepping and chasing to get around the defence.”
Staying focused and “relaxed” says Roberts is the key.

“We’re all just trying to stay relaxed and try not to think about it much.”

Roberts said “it’s an honour” to be representing his family: “I just want to make my grandparents and the rest of my family happy,” he said.

The 23 year old was born in Sydney, Australia. He has family in Apia and Faleasi’u.


http://www.samoaobserver.ws/index.ph...orts&Itemid=54

[fobsta]

Talau’s sacrifice Saturday, 25 October 2008 15:56 Willie Talau leads the Toa Samoa during training.

Salford City Reds - European Super League centre, Willie Talau, yesterday said the team’s sacrifice to play for the Toa Samoa is all in the name of honour.
Clinching this year’s world cup says Talau, is a possibility.
“We got the players here to do it; the guys have been training hard.

“Obviously a lot of us have played a long season; this is the time we normally have off but we have sacrificed that time so we could represent Samoa.

“We got a good group of players here, a lot of guys play in the UK and a lot of guys play in the NRL (National Rugby League).”
He said Toa Samoa also has “a good mix of experience and youth.”

“I know we have only been together for a short time, but we’ve really clicked and the game-plan that the coaching staff has given us really suited our style of play,” he explained.

“Players like Francis Meli, Misi Taulapapa, Matt Utai and Ali Lauitiiti, we can only complement each other; we all know how each other plays.”
Of the team’s five day sojourn in Samoa Talau said “it’s been a real treat to come back and train here and we have been well looked after.”

Talau thanked Samoa for their support; “we have been treated really nice.”
Although he grew up in New Zealand, Willie Talau was born in Samoa at the Tupua Tamasese Meole Hospital in Moto’otua.

He says it’s “a real honour” for him to represent his country of birth, and “it means a lot ... when I see [my mum] smile and to have her tell everyone that her son is representing Samoa.”

Wearing the blue-jersey is something special, “this is different returning home and play for Samoa.”
The Toa Samoa left yesterday morning for Australia.

Their first match will be played against Tonga, on October 31 at Penrith, NSW.


http://www.samoaobserver.ws/index.ph...orts&Itemid=54

[fobsta]

Samoa Trojan impressed with Toa Thursday, 23 October 2008 13:32 He calls himself a Trojan.
George Carmont represented the Newcastle Knights at centre, before recently signing a contract with the Super League Wigan Warriors.


This year Carmont will don the blue jersey for Samoa.

His position of play is not yet known, but even so he told Observer Sports, “We have a good chance of winning the cup, considering the team that we have.

“We got a real good mix this year. Things started building last year when Nigel jumped on board, he brought a few players to represent Samoa and it’s a good feeling in camp at the moment.”

The Trojan from Malaela Aleipata said not to write Tonga off from the world cup.

“They’ve got a real good side ... they’ve got a lot of experience as well.

“But I think the way that we have been training in our camp we are looking good and we are all looking forward to that match.”

The Toa Samoa is not the only team Carmont is impressed with. He believes Samoa has a big future in rugby league.

“There [is] some good talent in the teams that we saw on Saturday, so hopefully we will do well in the world cup and it might kick-off a bit more local players taking up rugby league,” he said.


http://www.samoaobserver.ws/index.ph...orts&Itemid=54

[Pesamino]

Pride is on the line for Pacific Islands teams

AARON LAWTON - Sunday News | Sunday, 26 October 2008

GIANT Samoan forward Tony Puletua says pride and World Cup glory will be on the line this Friday when the Samoans open their campaign against Tonga in Sydney.



The arch-rivals are, on paper at least, evenly matched with plenty of NRL stars available for selection.
In theory, this game is a must-win for both sides with the eventual victor likely to progress through to a play-off for a place in the semifinals.
"This is a huge game. There's always been that rivalry with Tonga that goes way back to our ancestors," 18-test Kiwi Puletua told Sunday News last night.
"I suppose this contest is on a professional level but we still know we are going into battle.
"We know this game is going to be tough and very physical.
"We aren't taking this one lightly because we've got a lot of respect for the Tongans."
The World Cup hit-out is something of a State of Origin for Pacific Island rugby league and Puletua says the Samoans are pumped.
"There's a really good feel in the camp right now," he said.
"Last week in Samoa was the first time we'd all been together as one group.
"All the boys are pumped up and ready to go.
"Our first two games are going to be really hard and we're really looking forward to it."
Aside from Puletua and Samoan skipper Nigel Vagana, who have spent the last week in Australia, the rest of the Samoan squad returned from a week in the Islands on Friday night.
Puletua and Vagana travelled with the squad to Samoa but returned home early in order to complete final preparations.
"It was a really good trip. It would have been good if Nigel and I had been able to stay a bit longer but we've had stuff to do in Aussie this week," said Puletua.
"It is a little bit different to being in camp with the Kiwis.
"The Kiwis environment has always been a really multicultural one. That's the big difference with the Samoan team. Everyone is Samoan.
"It doesn't take long for us to gel as a group and that's one thing we have over other teams.
"When we come together it feels like we've known each other for years."
Puletua will head to England after the World Cup to link up with new side St Helens.
But despite the move, he says he has no plans to call time on his international career after the World Cup.
"While I'm playing in the Super League I'd like to keep myself available for Samoa," he said.
"I don't see my involvement with the team as only for this World Cup.
"I see myself playing for Samoa for at least another couple of years."

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sundaynews/4739561a15599.html

[fobsta]

Local Toa out to prove worthiness Sunday, 26 October 2008 16:03 Local Toa Samoa player Lepupa Taualagi in training.

Taualagi Lepupa Falevao has a lot to smile about.
He is one of only two local boys selected to play for Toa Samoa in the centennial rugby league World Cup next week.
Tupu Ulufale is the other.

“For me to represent the local players is a privilege and I thank God for the opportunity,” Taualagi stated.

A privilege it may be, but Taualagi is up for the challenge.

“This is something that I haven’t been to before, I predict it to be a great challenge for me and Tupu but it’s also an opportunity for us to step up and be accounted for.

“We know rugby league is not that big of a deal here, but if we provide positive results than maybe people will start recognising it.”

Taualagi is asking for the countries prayers and support during the competition.
“Because,” he says, “with it anything is possible, and maybe it will give us that last drive when we have nothing left to throw.

“My parents and my village thank you for your support, and hope to see you all when I return.”

Taualagi also plays in Samoa for Marist Saints, who won this year’s SamoaTel National Rugby League Grand-final.


http://www.samoaobserver.ws/index.ph...orts&Itemid=54

[shinobi]

Totally not league related but is the name Po Ching and Poching the same thing?

Cant wait for Friday night!

[playdaball]

Originally Posted by shinobi

Totally not league related but is the name Po Ching and Poching the same thing?

!

Yeah I have a feeling that Poaching is the 'Anglo-sized' version of Po Ching. There are a number of Chinese in Samoa hence surnmames such as Ah Koui, Ah Van and Po Ching.

[fobsta]

Vagana fears for future Wednesday, 29 October 2008 12:19 Nigel Vagana

Samoan captain Nigel Vagana says his country risks losing the next generation of stars if the Pacific Island nation is embarrassed at the World Cup.
The NRL and ex-Kiwi Test veteran has come out of international retirement to lead the country of his ancestors and is desperate for the team to make an impact.

If they don’t, Vagana warns it will set Samoan rugby league back years.
“We want the next generation of Samoan players to be inspired about what we do at the World Cup,” he told Sportal ahead of Friday’s crunch match with arch-rivals Tonga.

“If we perform well then hopefully it will convince kids who are now 14, 15, 16 to pledge their allegiance to Samoa rather than New Zealand or Australia.”
“But if we aren’t competitive then it could do us a lot of damage.”

“The players are aware of their responsibilities.”

Rugby league has only been played in union-mad Samoa since 1985 but has 600 registered players between the ages of 17-21 and a national 12-team competition.

Vagana hopes the current generation of Samoan players may be the last forced to pledge their allegiances elsewhere.
“There has been no other choice really,” he explained.

“Samoa doesn’t play enough Test football for a professional footballer to go down that path.”

“You have to do what is in the best interests of your career and that means playing for New Zealand or Australia if the chance comes your way.”

“Tonga is in the same boat so it would be great to get to the stage where all the players eligible for these countries were available.”

Samoa’s World Cup squad boasts plenty of NRL and Super League experience, with Francis Meli, Ali Lauititi, Lagi Setu, Matt Utai and the Puletua brothers, Frank and Tony, among the big names.

To progress to the knockout stage and a shot at a semi-final berth, Samoa must beat Tonga and Ireland in the pool stages.

“We’ve got a good squad with players who have played at NRL and Super League level and they’re all excited about the opportunity to represent Samoa at a World Cup,” Vagana said.

“We know it won’t be easy but we’re determined to make an impact.”


http://www.samoaobserver.ws/index.ph...orts&Itemid=54

[Pesamino]

Samoan players take time from training to show class


BY KYLIE STEVENS





SAMOAN rugby league World Cup players returned to the classroom last Tuesday.Six players took time out from training to spend almost an hour with Samoan primary and high students at Plumpton Public School.
Players spoke about their sporting careers and heritage, tackled issues such as bullying, posed for photos and signed autographs.
Samoa will progress to the World Cup quarter-finals if they top their pool and defeat Ireland at Parramatta Stadium tomorrow night at 6pm.
They kicked off their campaign in style, beating arch-rivals Tonga 20-12 in front of a big crowd at Penrith's CUA Stadium on Friday night.
It sparked wild post-match celebrations on the field as the Samoans were mobbed by fans.
NRL star Misi Talupapa looked forward to playing tomorrow night after he missed Friday night's game through suspension.
The Cronulla winger endured cheeky questions from students about that punch on Melbourne's Anthony Quinn in the Sharks's 28-0 final loss.
``It was in the heat of the moment and not something I was proud of,'' Talupapa said.
He had this advice for students.
``Stay true to yourself you owe it to yourself and your parents,'' Talupapa said. He told the Star he was proud to represent his parents' heritage.
``I didn't think I'd be playing in the World Cup,'' he said. ``But I've had a good season and it's paid off.''
Talupapa said that the depth of experience in the Samoan squad will be advantage.
``We didn't have any lead-up games but we spent a week training in Samoa, which has helped us adjust to the hot and humid conditions here,'' he said.
General admission for tomorrow night's match is $15 adults and $12 concession and under 15s.
World Cup action returns to CUA Stadium this Sunday where the bottom-ranked teams from pools two and three do battle from 6pm.

http://stmarys.yourguide.com.au/news...s/1351233.aspx

[Pesamino]

Lauitiiti feels the love

Samoan experience strikes deep
AARON LAWTON - Sunday News

LEAGUE superstar Ali Lauitiiti has described playing for Samoa at the World Cup as one of the "deepest" experiences of his career.


The former Kiwi changed allegiance last year and was a crucial member of the Samoan side that qualified for the World Cup with repecharge wins over USA and Lebanon.
He still recalls his time in the black jersey with pride but after helping his new side steamroll arch-rivals Tonga 20-12 in Sydney on Friday night he admitted to feeling something extra special.
"The Kiwis is another chapter of my life I look back on fondly," Lauitiiti told Sunday News.
"I loved pulling on that black jersey and I'm aware what a privilege it was to represent New Zealand.
"But playing for Samoa is something that runs a little deeper for a lot of us.
"Our parents are from Samoa and a lot of them left the shores of Samoa to move to New Zealand to better our careers.
"For that, I'm sure I speak for a lot of the boys when I say playing for Samoa is like a way of giving them a little something extra from our league careers.
"I really don't want people to think I'm disrespecting New Zealand, though.
"The Kiwis are an awesome team but the love the boys in this Samoan side have for each other is just huge."
The build-up to the World Cup clash had predictably focused on the possibility of violence.
Surprisingly, though, despite a few anxious moments, both sides played hard but fair, at least for most of the match.
A loss on Friday would have ended Samoa's World Cup aspirations before they really began.
Instead, they will now take on Ireland on Wednesday. A win will ensure they square off with the winners of Pool 2 for a chance to play in the semifinals.
"Full credit to the boys, to the team, the coaching staff and everyone involved with this group," said Lauitiiti.
"Praise the Lord for the opportunity we had to play and also to the Tongan team for the game.
"The boys gave it their all and that's all we, as a team, could have asked for. It was a good game and also a good occasion not only for us but for Tonga as well.
"There was a lot of build-up heading into the match and I think everyone really felt a responsibility to play for each other. We didn't play just for ourselves but also for our families, our country and our people.
"Knowing their prayers and support were behind us really kicked us on."


http://www.stuff.co.nz/sundaynews/4746913a15599.html