- Title: Samoa expect "brutal collisions" in clash againt Wallabies
- Date: 6th September 2019
- Summary: SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA (SEPTEMBER 6, 2019) (REUTERS) SAMOA WARMING UP ON PITCH AT TRAINING SAMOA PLAYERS STRETCHING (SOUNDBITE) (English) MANU SAMOA COACH VAELUAGAOMATAGI STEVE JACKSON, SAYING: "You'll see brutal collisions, I'm sure. And again, you know, it's an opportunity for our players to play against a tier one nation and, you know again it's critical for our build up for Rugby World Cup that we go out there and put on a good performance and build some confidence for ourselves moving into that game. You know, there's some things that we need to work on from last week's games and which we've addressed and hopefully the weather will stay like this and perfect conditions and you'll get to see some good running rugby." TIGHTHEAD PROP MICHAEL ALAALATOA STRETCHING (FACING CAMERA) (SOUNDBITE) (English) SAMOA COACH VAELUAGAOMATAGI STEVE JACKSON, SAYING: "You know, he's just excited to play in the Manu Samoan jersey. It's been a long time coming for him. We've been through a lot of processes to get him to where he is today. Look, I think he's just excited to get back and feel the Samoan culture and get back and get into the environment and see what it's like. Obviously he played last week but this is test. This will be his test debut." SAMOA USING BAND AND SIDE STEPPING PLAYERS RUNNING ACROSS FIELD (SOUNDBITE) (English) SAMOA COACH VAELUAGAOMATAGI STEVE JACKSON, SAYING: "Russia's going to be tough. They've have a big pack and we're expecting a lot from them. When you get to Rugby World Cup it's completely different. I have been to a World Cup but you know, everyone that's been around us who has, has, given their thoughts around it. But, being in Japan again culturally it's another experience for our players. These games are crucial for us and the one tomorrow night starting against Australia's going to be crucial for us moving into the Rugby World Cup." SAMOA PLAYERS IN HUDDLE ON PITCH (SOUNDBITE) (English) SAMOA COACH VAELUAGAOMATAGI STEVE JACKSON, SAYING: "You know, is quarter-finals realistic for us, of course it is. Just that our players need to believe that, you know they're good enough to be there. And again, look we can talk about the past but this group of players know that it's the here and now and we've got to create our own little legacy and create our own memories at this Rugby World Cup and hopefully we'll create one tomorrow night and enjoy the occasion tomorrow night and look forward to Rugby World Cup. But, by no means, you know, that's exactly what we like, to go in there as underdogs. There's no pressure on this group apart from the pressures that they put on themselves. So, hopeful we'll go out and express ourselves and we've got a goal to get to the finals and then anything can happen after that." SAMOA WARMING UP
- Embargoed: 20th September 2019 07:24
- Keywords: Samoa Rugby Union training World Cup Japan
- Location: SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
- City: SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
- Country: Australia
- Topics: Rugby Union,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA001AVIPKXR
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Samoa coach Steve Jackson on Friday (September 6) promised plenty of big hits and running rugby when the Pacific Islanders take on Australia on Saturday (September 7) in a final World Cup warm-up match he believes is vital to his team's confidence before they head off to Japan.
The Samoans beat up the Wallabies in a famous upset in their last meeting with the twice world champions in July 2011 and Jackson said his players would not be holding anything back at Western Sydney Stadium.
Last week's game was a 36-19 victory over a New Zealand Heartland XV in Auckland, only the fourth match for the team this year.
Getting players who mostly play abroad together regularly has long been a problem for Pacific island nations, making matches like Saturday's all the more important.
Samoa have been drawn in a tough World Cup pool with Ireland, Scotland, Japan and Russia but Jackson believes his side has the potential to make the knockout stages for the first time since the glory days of 1995.
And getting their first win over a tier one nation in five years on Saturday night would certainly further encourage the belief in his players that they can get out of the pool in Japan.
(Production: Jill Gralow) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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