Rugby World Cup 2027 - Qualifying
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@Mr-Fish said in Rugby World Cup 2027 - Qualifying:
@Nepia which poor structures are you thinking about in particular?
Like I said, the structures that allow for weakened test teams. WR lets France come here with weakened teams and Samoa can't even put together close to their best team for matches that are crucial for RWC qualification.
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@Nepia said in Rugby World Cup 2027 - Qualifying:
@Mr-Fish said in Rugby World Cup 2027 - Qualifying:
@Nepia which poor structures are you thinking about in particular?
Like I said, the structures that allow for weakened test teams. WR lets France come here with weakened teams and Samoa can't even put together close to their best team for matches that are crucial for RWC qualification.
Impossible to force a team to field their best players though. If a RWC spot on the line isn't a big enough incentive over playing NPC then there's not much that can be done.
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@Bovidae said in Rugby World Cup 2027 - Qualifying:
Sure, there were a lot of players missing, but that Samoan team wasn't as weak as I thought. Having extra games won't be a bad thing, provided they do eventually qualify.
Was thinking the same thing. They're poorly coached and can't complete anything with ball in hand as they always drop the thing. Lack of brains on and off the field.
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Samoa in real danger of not qualifying at this rate. Drawing with Chile this morning with the 2nd leg to be played in Chile.
I can't confidently say right now that they will qualify, as should they not win the next game against Chile, they would then have to come top in a 4 team playoff against Belgium, Namibia and Brazil.
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@African-Monkey I found some highlights (or lowlights) and Samoa did well to comeback from 25-8 down. When they held ball the attack looked pretty good but man the defence was all over the joint getting beaten in tight and then out wide. Chile had a mountain of possession and made a heap of line breaks and just wore the Samoans down.
Chile have a big 2m+ lock that was causing issues for Samoa.
I think Samoa will win the match in Chile if they can play a bit more patient.
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Just saw the Samoan team named. What a disgrace for their administration and coach. Clearly they never planned for the possibility of finishing last in PNC.
So many club and NPC level players against a Chile team that has played together a lot.
Probably good if Samoan gets a big shakeup against Namibia and Brazil. Maybe things can change then. -
Far out some of those Samoan players called up lol. I remember running it straight to Herman Huch in a game many many years ago, fair to say that was a mistake lol, Still feeling the effects of it today, must be my PTSD kicking in haha.
Rilloy Suesue, yet another St Peter's player called up for Samoa, the 4th this year.
It's looking more and more like a reality that Samoa miss out on the world cup altogether at this rate.
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@NTA said in Rugby World Cup 2027 - Qualifying:
The reserve halfback - Rilloy Suesue - plays club footy in Sydney FFS. And at Western Sydney Two Blues!
Yeah, he's from the same school as me, played with Harry Plummer, Luteru Tolai and AJ Lam at 1st XV level. Played for Ponsonby here, got nowhere near NPC selection.
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I saw an article from back in July where the Samoan coach was saying he picked the best team despite the obvious names missing from the squad. The article also implied that Miracle wasn't selected and he didn't turn Samoa down to play for the Bay (which would be understandable if he did
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@Bovidae said in Rugby World Cup 2027 - Qualifying:
Chile win 31-12 - ouch!
Expected with some of the players running around for Samoa. It's about the standard of an Auckland club rugby side.
Off to Dubai now for a 4 team repecharge tournament against Belgium, Brazil and Namibia.
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