Samoan saviour says team set to impress
AARON LAWTON - Sunday News | Sunday, 19 October 2008
A WEEK out from the World Cup, Samoan saviour Nigel Vagana has revealed his side are determined to cause a few upsets.
The Samoan squad packed full of former Kiwis stars and other young NRL talents flew into Samoa on Friday to a rousing reception from the locals.
They will spend a week on the island before returning to Australia to prepare for their opening hit-out against Tonga on October 31.
Long-serving Kiwis legend Vagana will captain the side and says rivals would be unwise to write off the Samoans.
"People in New Zealand will know only too well what the Islander boys are capable of," Vagana told Sunday News.
"We're sometimes pretty unpredictable and this side will be no different.
"At the end of the day, we are going to Australia to win the World Cup.
"We're extremely proud of the team we've assembled.
"The boys are really excited and they are ready to show the world that the Islands are producing some pretty good players."
As far as commitment goes, Vagana says the current crop of Samoan players are as dedicated as it gets in rugby league.
"We've had a Sydney crew who have been training together over here for the last four weeks or so," he said.
"Most of the boys, once the season finished, took a week off and then got stuck straight into it.
"The Bulldogs have given us the use of their facilities.
"The feeling among the boys right now is fantastic.
"We don't have to train together but we've been doing it out of choice.
"The team spirit and commitment already shown by the boys is an indication of the standard of football we want to play at this World Cup."
The decision to train for a week in Samoa, according to Vagana, was to give the players in the squad a chance to go back to their roots.
"It (going to Samoa) was a big factor for us and also a major drawcard for some of the boys who wanted to play for Samoa," he said.
"A lot of guys have had long international careers but have never had the opportunity to go to the Islands and represent their roots.
"We really wanted the boys to understand who they are representing, which is why we decided to spend a week in Samoa.
"The support has been fantastic and this trip will really benefit the boys as much as it will the country of Samoa.
"Hopefully, having experienced the culture in Samoa and seen the people they are playing for, the boys will approach the World Cup with a bit more passion."
The only blight on the upcoming tournament has been the controversy surrounding the farcical eligibility rules.
Arch-rivals Tonga, in particular, have been frustrated with international league bosses after former Kiwis Fuifui Moimoi and Taniela Tuiaki were denied the right to switch their allegiance.
But Vagana has little sympathy.
"The eligibility stuff has been an issue for a little while now," he said.
"But, at the end of the day, the international board has made a decision.
"The World Cup starts in a week so it's pretty late to be making big changes now.
"Unfortunate as it is for Fuifui and Taniela not to be playing, the rules are pretty clear.
"They made their choice last year to play for New Zealand. I know the Tongans are frustrated that they were knocked back but the rules are there for a reason.
"Maybe after the World Cup they will be able to switch back to Tonga and help their country become an international force."
Which team are you looking forward to seeing the most in the World Cup?
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