Australia A Wins At Apia Park

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Tue, 17 Jun 2008 03:25:44 +0100

Daniel Carter was primarily a second five (inside centre) before he became the incumbent fly half for the AB's, at the retirement of Merthens and Spencer. The Wallabies are using Matt Giteau @ fly half now, when his usual playing role is also at number 12. Stephen Larkham, played at fullback at super 12 level before being promoted to five eight in 1998. A position he had never played prior to this outing. So it doesn't really matter where they've played in the past, if they have the class to fill any position, then I believe, give them a go! But I like the look of sapolu there, he looks to hold his own at five eight. - Sup

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Mon, 16 Jun 2008 17:04:01 +0100

Anyway i think this week we will see the team at full strength. Apparently some new players are coming in and hopefully they are the ones we have been waiting for. Here are the changes i am looking for against the Maoris: 6.Sititi 7.Fa'osiliva 8.Tuilagi/Stowers 9.Mai 10.Lui 11.Treviranus 12.Tuilagi 13.Fa'afili 14.Lemi 15.Sasulu - Robbie Deans

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Mon, 16 Jun 2008 03:31:02 +0100

Im not saying that he is up to standard. Evidently we have been lacking in a good fly half since earl va'a retired. I mean, is there another country in the world that uses its centre as fly half? Nevertheless, i think Sapolu did alright given that he is NOT a specialist fly half and the conditions were bad; however, Lolo Lui looks like the worthy first five 8th candidate for the Maori game, with Uale Mai replacing Notise Tauafao at scrum half, because of his inconsistentcy. - Robbie Deans

Improving to improve....

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 03:11:00 +0100

watched the game, the wet weather saved us more then hindered us. it suffocated the usual running game of the aussie's hence their territorial approach, and the amount of kicking was enough to put one to sleep aided by a few snorts of bourbon lol. who's kidding who? the apia debacle would have been another slaughter if it hadn't been for the conditions. there were some noted improvements though, from the forwards and as well as from the positional changes made for this game. our defence around the rucks and fringes was more solid, as it was in the midfield. pity the conditions couldn't have been better, it would've given us a better scope on how much we really did improve. Good luck with the maoli's, but I feel our true colours will be exposed once again....I hope I'm proven wrong!!! But it's a rebuilding stage, and I believe with every game played, we can only get better. All the best Manu...those are your lungs!!!! - Sup

Great game boys...

Sun, 15 Jun 2008 20:57:02 +0100

The weather was terrible, and made the game a bit boring with the players kicking the ball more rather then taking of risk of spreading it, in the slippery conditions, which was fair enough. Our boys played great, and few stand outs, and a few players that need a bit improvement, but it was a great improvement from last week. You certainly proved all those people out there that had nothing to do but critisize.... our defence was fantastic. The stats showed that Australia dominated in possesion, but we dominated territory! Our kicking could do with a bit of improvement ill admit. Our forwards worked hard and took us to just short of a win. both australias tries were from intercepts, mistakes we made. We played hard, and our tries were from good team work! Tuala and his boys did us proud, and if you say otherwise, then ill have to say you are not a true manu samoa fan. malo le taalo ma le faamalosi! see you at waikato stadium this saturday!!! Sina George - Sina George

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Sun, 15 Jun 2008 14:12:24 +0100

i agree with the Mai & Lui portion of ur comment FiaRobbie Deans but not the Sapolu portion. He aint up to the standard.... - Popo Uli

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Sun, 15 Jun 2008 13:20:15 +0100

I think Sapolu played well given the conditions, and he is a specialist centre after all.... We need a player at first five that can set up the plays, i think Mai or Lui will be best for that job next week- both are very good kickers- tee or no tee - Robbie Deans

Good game Manu.

Sun, 15 Jun 2008 10:47:00 +0100

Much improved performance by the boys in blue. We had a chance to win but did't take some important and key opportunities. No 8 Stowers to me was the stand out, as was the veteran Semo Sititi who made alot of difference to last week. The forward pack as a whole played very well although our lineouts still need alot of work. The weather did'nt allow the backs to show alot and it would've been interesting to see how Henry Fa'afili performed at Centre in dryer conditions. We still are yet to find a good five-eighth, Sapolu was pretty dissapointing for me and Uale Mai made a difference when he came on. Overall alot better performance by the Manu and showed some good signs for the rest of our Pacific nations campaign. Another disappointing thing for me was the crowd, I don't know the exact figures but on TV it looked like there was about 150 people watching. I know the weather was really bad but I thought to have the Manu play at home and also with the quality of opposition we were playing (all but 1 Australian player plays in the Super 14), there should've have been alot more support there to try and get our boys home. The Fijian game against NZ Maori attracted a full stadium and there ground looked like a swimming pool. I guess it's just a reflection of how disappointed our people were of our boys performance last week. Anyway that's enough from me, I just hope we will continue to support our boys because it was good to see alot of improvement and hopefully we will come up with a win against the "Che bros" this week. Good luck Manu and I hope these Aussies show that game live here because last night (Sunday) it did'nt come on Foxtel till 9.30pm so it was pretty late, now it's Monday morning I've been at work for 1 hour and already ua fia moe le kama!! Tofa Soifua Samoa ia manuia le aso....GO MANU!!!! - BULLDOZA

Next up: New Zealand Maoris

Sun, 15 Jun 2008 01:08:37 +0100

Better performance. No.8 lifted his game this time round. The only thing that let us down was the goal kicking. Solution: Uale Mai or Lolo Lui. Scrum is the strongest i have seen it, with cencus jonstone, tea, and tafunai at the front. Sapolu played well, but Lolo Lui should be in there next week! Good Luck against the Maoleez - Robbie Deans

Add wings

Sat, 14 Jun 2008 22:59:36 +0100

Have yet to view the game which is being televised here 9:30pm our time, thanks to our ignorant aussie counterparts.The scoreline has improved...and any improvement is a good thing....malo manu. - Sup

tough luck

Sat, 14 Jun 2008 21:22:45 +0100

one would expect a better performance with a home advantage but ... better luck next time :'( :'( - andre

Ia Malo Sole

Sat, 14 Jun 2008 21:08:25 +0100

Se'i makamaka i le Foxtel oga maua lea o gisi magaku, ae ga ua kau feololo mai. Pei ua kau sau foi le fiu i legei mea o le kau justify auala ua alai oga kakou malolo so'o. Fai mai kala a kama malisi, pau lava o le life boys! Se'i fa'akali foi la i spin a le coaching team.....look 4wd to the next game. Amost there, ga la; from the last 10 yrs. LOL...popole fua...it's only a game! - iole

Malo Manu le faamalosi

Sat, 14 Jun 2008 19:22:50 +0100

I haven't read any info regarding our game but the score line really says that we improve. Well malo Uso le faamalolosi ia koe kaumafai e lifi i luga le performance for the next game...sue mai se kakou malo At least we managed to get our act together for the the Aussie game... We need a better performance next time Manu...O outou Mama na..manuia le Manu Samoa - D

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Sat, 14 Jun 2008 19:18:36 +0100

MALO SAMOA...its a good improvement from last week..GOODLUCK against the MAORIs. GO THE MANU!!! - tamasii