RWC: Scotland v Samoa (Pool A)
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@NTA said in RWC: Scotland v Samoa (Pool A):
@Kirwan said in RWC: Scotland v Samoa (Pool A):
Good finish for Scotland.
Got what they needed.
The Pacific Islands just aren't playing enough Tests together. Not sure what the remedy is.
A World League
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@NTA said in RWC: Scotland v Samoa (Pool A):
I'm wondering what a mandatory 10-week camp for each of Tonga, Samoa, and Fiji could achieve. Given they've been fairly flat this RWC.
Or that nations championship that was proposed. They will drift further back if they don’t assemble regularly
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@Duluth said in RWC: Scotland v Samoa (Pool A):
@NTA said in RWC: Scotland v Samoa (Pool A):
I'm wondering what a mandatory 10-week camp for each of Tonga, Samoa, and Fiji could achieve. Given they've been fairly flat this RWC.
Or that nations championship that was proposed. They will drift further back if the don’t assemble regularly
Maybe this has been mooted before and I am late to the party - but why don't Tonga, Samoa, Fiji and Japan have an annual tournament like The Rugby Championship / 6-Nations?
Or maybe they have one and I am really not paying any attention?
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Lame way for Samoa to go out of the cup, and to think I gave them a shot before the game started haha. Scotland did what they had to tonight, but on that performance, I'd back the Japanese to beat them.
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@Billy-Webb They have the Pacific Nations Cup (Tonga, Samoa, Fiji, Japan, Canada, USA).
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@Stargazer said in RWC: Scotland v Samoa (Pool A):
@Billy-Webb They have Pacific Nations Cup.
Thanks Stargazer. Clearly I am living under a rock.
Then to be honest - not sure they / we can use the excuse for them that hey don't get to play often enough.
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@Billy-Webb The problem is the release of players by European clubs and the lack of tests against tier 1 nations.
This year, Tonga played the ABs and Samoa played Australia, because that suited their (NZ, Aus) preparation for the RWC. Such tests should be played each year, IMO, but difficult to fit in the short July window (unless they drop the PNC). That's why maybe tests against tier 1 nations in the November window should be organised.
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Samoa looked like they hadn't assembled before this week. Made Scotland look competent and dangerous!
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@Stargazer No doubt a factor - but Argentina have the same struggles.
Hell, even SA sometimes can't get European club players released...And I am not convinced that pitching them against Tier 1 nations regularly is the answer... but perhaps one or two a year wouldn't hurt.
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@Billy-Webb Argentina doesn't have those struggles. The great majority of Pumas play for the Jaguares in SR.
Edit: I was suggesting 1 (at most 2) tests against tier 1 nations per year.
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@African-Monkey said in RWC: Scotland v Samoa (Pool A):
Lame way for Samoa to go out of the cup, and to think I gave them a shot before the game started haha. Scotland did what they had to tonight, but on that performance, I'd back the Japanese to beat them.
@antipodean said in RWC: Scotland v Samoa (Pool A):
Samoa looked like they hadn't assembled before this week. Made Scotland look competent and dangerous!
I'd also backed Samoa to have a shot today. But they just didn't seem to pitch up.
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@Stargazer said in RWC: Scotland v Samoa (Pool A):
@Billy-Webb Argentina doesn't have those struggles. The great majority of Pumas play for the Jaguares in SR.
Edit: I was suggesting 1 (at most 2) tests against tier 1 nations per year.
Yeah - I take your point. There would be value in that if those teams could have their players released and be at full strength. No point in pitching up to get a cricket score against you..
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@Stargazer said in RWC: Scotland v Samoa (Pool A):
@Billy-Webb They have the Pacific Nations Cup (Tonga, Samoa, Fiji, Japan, Canada, USA).
Only Japan have really improved out of all those teams, and probably more due to imported upgrades and Super Rugby than Tests against whatever France lets out for a game in a tropical downpour.
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@Billy-Webb Yep, I think addressing that "release by European clubs" problem should be a priority for WR, but not sure what they can do. The rules with obligations to release are in place, but if a club doesn't want a player to play test rugby they'll either not sign him or offer him a lower salary if the player doesn't want to give up test rugby.
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@Stargazer said in RWC: Scotland v Samoa (Pool A):
@NTA I think the USA have improved, too. Just not there, yet, in terms of competing with tier 1 nations. But you could probably say the same of Georgia (that toured the PI nations, last year IIRC).
Yeah bit harsh, judging them on one game against England. But it isn't getting any easier with Argentina and France.
Tonga is their only shot at a win IMHO. Their physicality is there, but they probably lack the instinct you get playing rugby your whole life.
