Come On Samoa, Let's Have One Big Upset!
The Rugby Paper|September 22, 2019
Brendan Gallagher recalls the glory of Samoa and asks when will it return at the World Cup?
Come On Samoa, Let's Have One Big Upset!

When, if ever, can we expect another mighty upset World Cup victory from Samoa? And if not a shock win when, if ever, will we see the Samoans rip into the big boys and produce the kind of all-action performances that used to thrill the crowds and make Samoa everybody’s second favourite team.

On Tuesday at the Kumagaya ground in Saitama, Samoa begin their World Cup campaign with what should be a straightforward opener against Russia while they then enjoy a decent break before tackling Scotland who – win lose or draw will have found their opener against Ireland today emotionally draining.

There is just a sniff there for the Samoans if they are in the mood – but when was the last time we saw a Manu Samoa side in the mood?

Their decline from perennial banana skins to doormats has been depressing and a tad mystifying because even when they have struggled at the Rugby World Cup on paper they have possessed a more than decent line-up. But that dynamite and warrior spirit has been missing for a while and we wait anxiously for signs of its return

Objectively one of the troubles with Samoa is that they set the bar too high back in 1991 when, as Western Samoa, they made their World Cup debut. They were off the scale

And I’m not just talking about that historic win over Wales in Cardiff but their incredibly resourceful performance against eventual champions Australia in the mud of Pontypool Park scarcely 72 hours later when the same side went down to a narrow 9-3 defeat. That in its own way was equally as impressive. Nor should we forget their 35-12 trouncing of a decent Pumas side at Sardis Road.

So good was that ‘91 team that it came as a surprise that they lost their quarter-final to Scotland relatively tamely 28-6, albeit that was an exceptional Scotland team.

Denne historien er fra September 22, 2019-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra September 22, 2019-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA THE RUGBY PAPERSe alt
Morris hat-trick lifts Steelmen
The Rugby Paper

Morris hat-trick lifts Steelmen

HOOKER Ieuan Morris came off the bench to settle matters for Ebbw Vale at Carmarthen Quins with his stunning second half hat-trick completing a 39-11 victory in Super Rygbi Cymru.

time-read
3 mins  |
October 27, 2024
Joe keen to follow in family footsteps
The Rugby Paper

Joe keen to follow in family footsteps

JOE Ford is leading the charge to take Doncaster Knights to the promised land but says they have a long way to go before that becomes reality.

time-read
3 mins  |
October 27, 2024
Robson keen to make it to the top with Coventry
The Rugby Paper

Robson keen to make it to the top with Coventry

COVENTRY ended the first five-match block of fixtures as the Championship’s only unbeaten side and full-back Charlie Robson has his sights set on promotion, and eventually playing for England.

time-read
1 min  |
October 27, 2024
Hancox joins the 200 club
The Rugby Paper

Hancox joins the 200 club

AFTER 10 years of donning the red, black and yellow shirt for Bournemouth, skipper Grant Hancox made his 200th appearance this month after their Regional 2 South Central clash against Winchester.

time-read
1 min  |
October 27, 2024
Bear keen to be a big hit Down Under
The Rugby Paper

Bear keen to be a big hit Down Under

FORMER Cornish Pirates back row Bear Williams has flourished in making the difficult transition from rugby union to league and has plans to play in Australia’s NRL. `

time-read
2 mins  |
October 27, 2024
To play in two World Cups was a dream
The Rugby Paper

To play in two World Cups was a dream

RUGBY started quite late for me.

time-read
6 mins  |
October 27, 2024
Call time on this pantomime ploy
The Rugby Paper

Call time on this pantomime ploy

THIS 60-second shot clock twaddle. If we must continue to plough down this blind alley it needs to apply from the moment the referee awards the penalty. If the authorities are going to put some stick about at least do it properly and with conviction.

time-read
4 mins  |
October 27, 2024
Coetzee's pulling his weight again
The Rugby Paper

Coetzee's pulling his weight again

WHETHER he starts or comes off the bench, Jaco Coetzee is just happy to be contributing fully to Bath’s revival after an injury-hit start to his career in blue, black and white.

time-read
2 mins  |
October 27, 2024
Murray's on a wing - and a prayer ...
The Rugby Paper

Murray's on a wing - and a prayer ...

BLAIR Murray began the week ‘in a state of shock’ at having gone from nowhere on one side of the world to the starting grid for the autumn Tests on the other.

time-read
3 mins  |
October 27, 2024
We need to kick on after winning at last
The Rugby Paper

We need to kick on after winning at last

Paul Rees talks to Ethan Grayson who heard from two rugby legends after he helped Newcastle end their 25-match losing run

time-read
5 mins  |
October 27, 2024