South Africa vs Samoa - Match preview and match thread.

[Biltong]

First topic message reminder :

Date:30 September 2011
Stadium: North Harbour Stadium, Auckland
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)

South Africa
15 Pat Lambie – 9 caps, 2 RWC caps
14 JP Pietersen – 40, 9, RWC tries 4
13 Jaque Fourie – 67, 13, RWC tries 9
12 Frans Steyn – 46, 10, RWC tries 4
11 Bryan Habana – 72, 9, RWC tries 9
10 Morné Steyn – 32, 3, RWC tries 2
9 Fourie du Preez – 60, 9, RWC tries 2
8 Pierre Spies – 45, 3
7 Schalk Burger – 66, 11, RWC tries 2
6 Heinrich Brüssow – 18, 3
5 Victor Matfield – 108, 12
4 Danie Rossouw – 61, 13, RWC tries 6
3 Jannie du Plessis – 28, 4
2 Bismarck du Plessis – 40, 7
1 Tendai Mtawarira – 31, 3, RWC tries 1

Replacements
16 John Smit – 109, 15, RWC tries 1
17 Gurthrö Steenkamp – 36, 5, RWC tries 1
18 CJ van der Linde – 73, 7, RWC tries 1
19 Willem Alberts – 7, 3
20 Francois Louw – 9, 2
21 Francois Hougaard – 13, 3, RWC tries 3
22 Jean de Villiers – 70, 2

Samoa.
15 Paul Williams – 10, 3, RWC tries 1
14 David Lemi – 29, 4
13 Seilala Mapusua – 29, 6
12 Eliota Fuimaono Sapolu – 22, 6
11 Alesana Tuilagi – 26, 7, RWC tries 4
10 Tusi Pisi - 8, 2
9 Kahn Fotuali’i – 8, 3, RWC tries 2
8 George Stowers – 23, 3, RWC tries 1
7 Maurie Faasavalu – 13, 3, RWC tries 2
6 Taiasina Tuifua – 5, 2
5 Kane Thompson – 21, 7, RWC tries 1
4 Daniel Leo – 32, 6
3 Census Johnston – 36, 7
2 Mahonri Schwalger (c) - 41, 10
1 Sakaria Taulafo – 13, 3

Replacements:
16 Ole Avei - 2
17 Anthony Perenise – 13, 3, RWC tries 1
18 Logovi’i Mulipola - 5
19 Ofisa Treviranus – 18, 2
20 Filipo Lavea Levi – 30, 1
21 Junior Poluleuligaga – 21, 5, RWC tries 1
22 George Pisi – 10, 3

Head to head.
Test Caps match day 22: South Africa 1040 – Samoa 413
World cup Caps match day 22: South Africa 148 – Samoa 86
Squad RWC tries: South Africa 45 – Samoa 13
Total tests played wins: South Africa 6 - Samoa 0
Tries scored: South Africa 44 – Samoa 9
Points for: South Africa 316 –Samoa 65
Average score per match: South Africa 53 – Samoa 11

This world cup.
Points scored: South Africa 153 – Samoa 86
Tries scored: South Africa 20 – Samoa 9
Points conceded: south Africa 19 - Samoa 36
Tries conceded: South Africa 1 – Samoa 4
Penalties conceded: South Africa 23 – Samoa 33
Yellow cards: South Africa 0 – Samoa 1

South Africa
South Africa will go into the match as the favourites wanting to ensure they keep dominating the tight exchanges and the breakdown area, they will basically try to ensure execution is as near to perfect as possible and use the as preparation for Australia, expect them to kick for territory and once in control with some points on the board to unleash their backs.

Samoa
Well they will be up for the challenge no doubt, I am concerned with the fact that they have seemed to lose some flair which is akin to the way they play the game. Their performance against Fiji seemed much better structured but less passionate than usual. Tough task ahead of them.

My prediction South Africa by 25 points.

[TheGreyGhost]

Which linesman? Wouldn't have been Wayne Barnes would it?

[rodders]

Sorry its 13-5 still I couldn't resist = Sincere apologies

[GavinDragon]

still 13-5 breaking up atm tho

[GavinDragon]

no it was the SH linesman gg

[Biltong]

Never knew broussouw was such a baby….that’s a poor, poor call from Nigel Owen, here’s to god he doesn’t get an important game

What are you on about, he is struck in the face, would you retain your balance when you are hit when not expecting it.

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

Sorry its 13-5 still I couldn't resist = Sincere apologies

Sod!

[GavinDragon]

ah come one bilton im sure hes taken much worse and stayed on his feet!

[chewed_mintie]

chewed nigel owens didnt see the incident it was the linesman who called the red card

Ok, fair enough – hope that linesman doesn’t get a big game.

Point still stands – Brussouw is a baby

[damage_13]

Smit sin binned for a one handed slap disguised as an interception. no attempt to catch PDivvy exploding in the coaches room as Smit looks like he's been caught with his hand in the cookie jar and he swears he was given permission too.

so...

14 players each, with 75 mins gone, with the samoans looking threatening all the time and the Boks clearing good kicks looking for territory.

[GavinDragon]

brussouw def milked it in my opinion

[eirebilly]

The only team that would be enjoying this is Australia

[Gatts]

brussouw def milked it in my opinion

Milked it?!!

He set up a milk marketing board and is now supplying every supermarket in new Zealand

[Biltong]

When you slap a ball down is it not supposed to actually have a downward arc once you touched it?

[Notch]

Which linesman? Wouldn't have been Wayne Barnes would it?

It wasn't, no. The other one.

[Biltong]

Penalty SA, halfway line.

[GavinDragon]

[Biltong]

Lineout, 22 meter line

[RubyGuby]

I wouldn't say that Billy - We're playing them in the 1/4's

[eirebilly]

I wouldn't say that Billy - We're playing them in the 1/4's

[Biltong]

Owens is f...n clueless here.

[TheGreyGhost]

I think referees are pre-disposed to believe that Pacific Island players are "dirty" or overly physical. I think it's a kind of intrinsic racism that harks back to colonial days. Unfortunately, I think this kind of deep psychological bias has an impact in situations like this. Owens is a victim of his culture.

[nathan]

When you slap a ball down is it not supposed to actually have a downward arc once you touched it?

I don't think him kicking the ball away helped him that much!

[Gatts]

Owens is f...n clueless here.

Isn't he Welsh?

[Biltong]

Game over.

good game for Samoa they played their hearts out, it was definitely the most physical match of the RWC thus far.

[TheGreyGhost]

Man, Samoa have gone toe to toe with the current world champs and but for the absence of Pisi would probably have knocked out the Welsh. Why are we welcoming the Pumas to the 3N before Samoa?

[eirebilly]

Oh great, all that this will lead to is another long winded article from TGG about how poor the referees are

[nathan]

Will brussouw be cited for striking someone to the back of the head?

[RubyGuby]

13-5 but what excitement - More of this on the weekend, lets stock up on the valium!!!! and Stella!!!

Nice one Billy made me laugh - Pasta this weekend?

[damage_13]

wow what a cracker.

Samoans have left their souls in this game and their bodies on the pitch.

The Boks have to be battle hardened after this

[mckay1402]

Man, Samoa have gone toe to toe with the current world champs and but for the absence of Pisi would probably have knocked out the Welsh. Why are we welcoming the Pumas to the 3N before Samoa?

Yeah I wondered that too

[Guest]

'Twas Wales most physical match too. Unlucky Samoa, would have been worthy 1/4 finalists if they'd gone through.

I think I'm right in saying that Wales can lose to Fiji by up to 60 points and still go through? Is that right?

[BlueNote]

"pre-disposed to believe that Pacific Island players are "dirty" or overly physical"

Well you do typically get a lot of high tackles and some cheap shots from them. That's not neo-colonialism, it's simple observation. In the Wales/Samoa game they largely went unpenalised.

[GavinDragon]

great game well dne to both sides,

the only point id like to make is that the tier 2 nations must be given fair scheduling in 2015!

[Rangiora]

What a cracking game , well done to both sides.

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

great game well dne to both sides,

the only point id like to make is that the tier 2 nations must be given fair scheduling in 2015!

+1

[rodders]

Jeez sounds like the Boks have done it the hard way. They seem to like that though.

Wales have done well to qualify from this pool. I seriously think Wales might make the final.

[Guest]

Man, Samoa have gone toe to toe with the current world champs and but for the absence of Pisi would probably have knocked out the Welsh. Why are we welcoming the Pumas to the 3N before Samoa?

How would they 'probably have knocked out the Welsh'? We're yet to play Fiji. A win of any sort against Fiji will probably see us through, even if Samoa had beaten South Africa (without a 4 try bonus point), as we have a much better points difference. Please explain.

[eirebilly]

Wales may still have to beat Ireland rodders

[Gatts]

Wales may still have to beat Ireland rodders

Which after coming through this pool will be a significantly more feasible proposition

[Biltong]

"pre-disposed to believe that Pacific Island players are "dirty" or overly physical"

Well you do typically get a lot of high tackles and some cheap shots from them. That's not neo-colonialism, it's simple observation. In the Wales/Samoa game they largely went unpenalised.

On a positive note there wasn't one high tackle in the whole game, but I think SA are going to have some seriously sore bodies.

[lostinwales]

Man, Samoa have gone toe to toe with the current world champs and but for the absence of Pisi would probably have knocked out the Welsh. Why are we welcoming the Pumas to the 3N before Samoa?

OMG I agree with GG.... Dont forget the 4 day turn around for Samoa before Wales too. The margins between winning and losing can be very small sometimes.

Samoa bring something a little bit different to the table and long may it continue

[TheGreyGhost]

"pre-disposed to believe that Pacific Island players are "dirty" or overly physical"

Well you do typically get a lot of high tackles and some cheap shots from them. That's not neo-colonialism, it's simple observation. In the Wales/Samoa game they largely went unpenalised.

No, you see what you've done there? exactly the thing I mentioned. If you watch objectively you might notice that this Samoa team, whilst very physical are not putting in cheap shots, high tackles and off the ball stuff at any higher rate than any of the European teams have. In fact they've been very composed, organised and professional.

It's just that you're stuck in the "noble savage" mind set whenever you see a Samoan player, it's all about your perception and not about reality. Which is my point. The officials on this occasion have shown a red card where one wasn't warranted, and you can bet anything you like, if that had been Moody or Wilkinson with the palm to the face, it would have been a caution. Remember the incident in the early stages, where Barnes says "South African player has pushed him in the face after the ruck, you need to talk to him" not "show him a red card". Recall Hartley getting away scott-free with the flying elbow to the head of McCaw? Remember Stevens punching Mealamu in the face twice in front of ... Nigel Owens two seasons ago? Cautioned. That was TWO punches.

Sorry, but it's racism at play.

[Gibson]

Jeez sounds like the Boks have done it the hard way. They seem to like that though.

Wales have done well to qualify from this pool. I seriously think Wales might make the final.

They'll have to try and get by us 1st. Not going to happen...

Ireland v SA Final.

[Biltong]

I too think samoa should be given a crack in an extended 5 nations, they have a lot of players in their squad from NZ, 15 in total, that is almost a B team, and they will give Argentina some serious go.

[Gatts]

"pre-disposed to believe that Pacific Island players are "dirty" or overly physical"

Well you do typically get a lot of high tackles and some cheap shots from them. That's not neo-colonialism, it's simple observation. In the Wales/Samoa game they largely went unpenalised.

No, you see what you've done there? exactly the thing I mentioned. If you watch objectively you might notice that this Samoa team, whilst very physical are not putting in cheap shots, high tackles and off the ball stuff at any higher rate than any of the European teams have. In fact they've been very composed, organised and professional.

It's just that you're stuck in the "noble savage" mind set whenever you see a Samoan player, it's all about your perception and not about reality. Which is my point. The officials on this occasion have shown a red card where one wasn't warranted, and you can bet anything you like, if that had been Moody or Wilkinson with the palm to the face, it would have been a caution. Remember the incident in the early stages, where Barnes says "South African player has pushed him in the face after the ruck, you need to talk to him" not "show him a red card".

Sorry, but it's racism at play.

Jees ghost have you checked your brain out for a holiday...you can't allege racism and then use it yourself by saying you can bet if it had been moody or wilkinson...and then you illustrate your point by making reference to Barnes warning abou ta push! BARNES...the Batman to your Joker......that was a push not a heel in the jaw! Your inconsistency really is laughable

[Islingtonv2]

I too think samoa should be given a crack in an extended 5 nations, they have a lot of players in their squad from NZ, 15 in total, that is almost a B team, and they will give Argentina some serious go.

Might help sort out NZ's financial issues if they then have 8 tri-nations games per season, not sure how it would fit into the packed schedule mind.

[Gibson]

I too think samoa should be given a crack in an extended 5 nations, they have a lot of players in their squad from NZ, 15 in total, that is almost a B team, and they will give Argentina some serious go.

Just said that on another thread. Its the least they deserve. They have enhanced this RWC.

Well done for making the QF's Billtong. Enjoy.

[chewed_mintie]

I too think samoa should be given a crack in an extended 5 nations, they have a lot of players in their squad from NZ, 15 in total, that is almost a B team, and they will give Argentina some serious go.

Samoa also have probably one of the top 5 halfbacks in the world, and I expect him to be the No 1 in the next couple of years - staggering in fact that as a NZ born player, he chose Samoa over NZ but there we go....

Simple truth is that Samoa would need to pull together it’s top players together for a SH tournie whilst the back leg of the NH season is still going on. And they wouldn’t be available until well into the next season.

On another thread I pointed out the growing trend of NH clubs to turn around and say, “go to the WC, but don’t expect us to renew when your contract is up”. The result, a fair few players have put club ahead of country this time around. This scenario pops up every four years, imagine what the clubs would do when faced with this every year, there’d only be 1 yr contracts I bet.

[Biltong]

I too think samoa should be given a crack in an extended 5 nations, they have a lot of players in their squad from NZ, 15 in total, that is almost a B team, and they will give Argentina some serious go.

Just said that on another thread. Its the least they deserve. They have enhanced this RWC.

Well done for making the QF's Billtong. Enjoy.

thanks Gibbo, maybe we meet you guys later on.

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

Well done for making the QF's Billtong. Enjoy.

+1

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