Samoa 2011 Rugby World Cup Team

The Samoan rugby team, whilst not as successful as Fiji at the Rugby World Cup, has participated in some of the tournament’s most memorable matches.

Nickname: Manu Samoa
Coach: Filipo Levi
Best World Cup Performance: quarterfinals

2011 Rugby World Cup Pool D
Team	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	TF	TA	BP	Pts
South Africa	4	4	0	0	166	24	21	2	2	18
Wales	4	3	0	1	180	34	23	4	3	15
Samoa	4	2	0	2	91	49	10	5	2	10
Fiji	4	1	0	3	59	167	7	19	1	5
Namibia	4	0	0	4	44	266	5	36	0	0

2011 Samoa Rugby World Cup Odds

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World Cup – World Cup Winner – 15:42

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World Cup - World Cup Samoa Stage of Elimination -
Pool Stage	1/250
Quarter Final	9
Semi-Final	40
Final	100
Winner	500

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World Cup - Fiji v Samoa Handicap (No Draw) - 03:30
Samoa	-21.5 2	-11.5 1/1	-10.5 10/11	-10.5 1/1	-9.5 4/5	-9.5 4/5	-9.5 5/6	-9.5 10/11
Fiji	+21.5 1/4	+11.5 8/11	+10.5 4/5	+10.5 4/5	+9.5 1/1	+9.5 10/11	+9.5 10/11	+9.5 3/4

2011 Rugby World Cup

Western Samoa will fancy its chances of breaking into the quarterfinals in 2011. The islanders share a pool with Fiji, South Africa, Wales and Namibia, and will know that a win over Wales – whom they have beaten twice in the World Cup previously – will probably be good enough to secure a quarterfinal berth.

However, progress is by no means a given, with Fiji and Wales more than capable of stopping the Samoans in their tracks. Should Samoa push through, their likely reward will be an encounter with Australia in the quarterfinals – a team that Samoa has already beaten this year.

Rugby World Cup History

Samoa missed out on the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987, but made up for their absence at that tournament with a sparkling debut at the 1991 Rugby World Cup. The Samoans defeated Wales and Italy in the group stages and qualified for the quarterfinals. Samoa lost to Scotland in the quarterfinal, but were recognised as the team of the tournament.

Samoa was once again in top form at the 1995 Rugby World Cup, taking the scalps of Italy and Argentina as it progressed to the quarterfinals of the tournament, where the Samoans lost to eventual champions South Africa. At the 1999 Rugby World Cup, Samoa failed to reach the quarterfinals for the first time, however, the team left with its honour intact after beating hosts Wales during the group stages.

Samoa suffered because of a tough draw at the 2003 Rugby World Cup, losing to both England and South Africa, and thereby missing out on a place in the quarterfinals. It was, unfortunately, more of the same at the 2007 Rugby World Cup as the Samoans won only one game, against America, to earn themselves a meek group-stage exit.

Strengths

Given the size of Samoa’s player pool in relation to its exploits on the international stage, it is clear that Samoa boasts some of the finest rugby players on the planet. The core of Samoa’s strength is its physical and uncompromising approach, which allows the team to place stronger teams under severe pressure.

Weaknesses

Unlike other Pacific nations, the Samoans benefit from their symbiotic relationship with New Zealand, with the team frequently fielding New Zealand born players of Samoan descent. The side’s weaknesses are therefore technical rather than political, with lack of structure and discipline the two obstacles towards consistent success on the world stage.

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World Cup - Team Betting Samoa Top Team Tryscorer -
Tagicakibau, S	3	4
Tuilagi, A	3	4
Lemi, D	5	6
Tekori, J	13/2	10
Mapusua, S	12	14
Williams, P	12	18
Pisi, G	12	20
Stowers, G	20	20
Fuimano-Sapolu, E	14	25
Leota, J	20	25
Fotuali'i, K	33	33
Johnston, C	33	33
Pisi, T	25	33
Lavea, T	50	40
Paulo, T	50	50
Polulueligaga, A	-	50
So'oialo, J	33	50
Treviranus, O	-	50
Leo, D	50	66
Levi, F	66	50
Mulipola, L	66	16
Schwalger, M	25	66
Sua, J	66	50
Thompson, K	66	66
Avei, O	100	100
Fa'asavalu, M	50	100
Perenise, A	66	100
Salavea, M	50	100
Taulafo, S	80	100
Tu'ifua, T	66	100