Seluman - Trust me, experience will count for a lot.No need to put any emphasis at all as the word "EXPERIENCE" emphasis's itself. The key is molding those players with the younger players to create a solid platform to work from.

You obviously didn't look hard enough or know the capabilities of some of these players in the squad. Ali Lauitiiti, David solomona and Francis Meli would be first choice picks in the kiwi side but they chose not to play for the kiwis some time ago and opted for Toa Samoa.  Not sure if you have been following the UK league grand final, but 4 players in the Toa side played in that final. Willie Talau, Francis Meli, George Carmont & Harrison Hansen and they were in fine form.

This is no judgement as is it my personal opinion, and i follow league immensely.

GOOD LUCK TO ALL BUT MY MONEY IS ON TOA SAMOA!!

Rookiller:

I'll agree with you they have an extremely experienced team but based on the form of their nrl players they wont fare that well, Taulapapa is the only player who played well for his nrl team this season, vagana couldn't even crack the bench for a horrible rabbitohs team. I'll admit I have seen none of the super league players this year. But in the halves samoa will struggle, ben roberts is as bad on the field as he is off it, he can't tackle as he's shown in the past for the kiwis and he can't kick to save himself. I really hope the island nations go well but for me its Benji to lead the kiwis to win it all

Here's a list of some of the young players who played well respectively for their teams this year. Lagi Setu (Dragons), Ben Te'o (Tigers), Joseph Paulo (Panthers). And remember it's not only the best from the NRL but also the UK league. Harrison Hansen (Leeds), George Carmont (Leeds).

And if Toa Samoa don't make it to the final then i'll be supporting the other Samoan side (Kiwis).

1.  Kristian Inu

2.  Iosia Soliola

3. Seteimata Sa

4. Steve Matai

5. Taulima Tautai (Fill in)

6. Jerome Ropati

7. Thomas Leuluai

8. Jeff Lima

9. Roy Asotasi (injured)

10. Evarn Tuimavave

11. David Fa'alogo

12. Frank Pritchard (Injured)

13. Jeremy Smith

kelefua:

Seluman - Trust me, experience will count for a lot.No need to put any emphasis at all as the word "EXPERIENCE" emphasis's itself. The key is molding those players with the younger players to create a solid platform to work from.

You obviously didn't look hard enough or know the capabilities of some of these players in the squad. Ali Lauitiiti, David solomona and Francis Meli would be first choice picks in the kiwi side but they chose not to play for the kiwis some time ago and opted for Toa Samoa.  Not sure if you have been following the UK league grand final, but 4 players in the Toa side played in that final. Willie Talau, Francis Meli, George Carmont & Harrison Hansen and they were in fine form.

This is no judgement as is it my personal opinion, and i follow league immensely.

GOOD LUCK TO ALL BUT MY MONEY IS ON TOA SAMOA!!

Hehe! Take it easy dude...

There's no question or issue with experience... what I did note is your point about samoa having the "most experienced" WC squad and how some of the players, opted to play for Samoa... Heck, that's bloody awesome, and overall it's great to see more PI's and even PNG players rep'n their roots etc!

 I just don't agree that some of those players would still command a place in the current Kiwi team... It didn't matter that those players chose not to play for NZ, cos they wouldn't have made the Kiwi team anyway, and they knew it... including Ali & Solomona - as brilliant as they used to be, even on current form... how the hell could they command a place ahead of Simon Mannering (80 min man, tackling machine, mr consistant) add to that Setaimata Sa, Jeremy Smith, Sika Manu, Fa'alogo...

They were great Kiwi international stars 3-4 years ago, and some of them were even involved in the Kiwi 2005 tri-nations victory... but they wouldn't make the team today.

Meli ahead of Krisnan Inu, Manu 'the beast' Vatuvei, Brent Webb (injured)...? c'mon man, seriously... Meli was da man, and still is in great form for his club, but times change and new, more dynamic stars rise... eg Inu, Vatuvei, Perrett, Ropati... throw in Steve Matai (da man!)

I had to have a little laugh on your observation of Tonga's "weakness" in their halves?? Dude, look at toa's #6 - Vagana??? lol, he's a legend in the game, but no #6... he can't even make the bench anymore for Souths... and #7 Roberts? ... not a halves pairing that would set the world on fire!?

anyways... 3 days till WC starts! yiah!

SELUMAN:

 I just don't agree that some of those players would still command a place in the current Kiwi team... It didn't matter that those players chose not to play for NZ, cos they wouldn't have made the Kiwi team anyway, and they knew it... including Ali & Solomona - as brilliant as they used to be, even on current form... how the hell could they command a place ahead of Simon Mannering (80 min man, tackling machine, mr consistant) add to that Setaimata Sa, Jeremy Smith, Sika Manu, Fa'alogo...

They were great Kiwi international stars 3-4 years ago, and some of them were even involved in the Kiwi 2005 tri-nations victory... but they wouldn't make the team today.

Meli ahead of Krisnan Inu, Manu 'the beast' Vatuvei, Brent Webb (injured)...? c'mon man, seriously... Meli was da man, and still is in great form for his club, but times change and new, more dynamic stars rise... eg Inu, Vatuvei, Perrett, Ropati... throw in Steve Matai (da man!)

Malo boys,

 Yeah I have to agree on that one, some players in the Toa squad are and I have to say - a few "has beens" whereas in years past they were STARS. I've watched Meli a few times for Saint Helens and although effective and hard to tackle, his defence is still abit shaky postion wise. I'm not only turning on my own people but also other teams as well but that's what makes World Cups special, players rise to the occasion and play out of ther skins.

Have to agree on the first post on this thread that the Toa have kept things low key. Taking the team back to Samoa to see who they will be playing for is another bonus. Some players have never been to the Islands so that will be a major boost, going back to there roots.

 Regardless of Tonga's loss to NZ, doesn't mean it will be a walkover for Samoa. The Tongans will take positives from the negatives and make it more than an even, bruising contest.

If there is a time for Samoa World Cup team to shine it would be this one,There were always going to be comments on the "has beens" of international rugby league ie Vagana,Meli,Puletuas etc but whats not been said is the refreshment of thier International careers.

 No disrespect to the kiwis Jersey but surely in thier minds(ex kiwis in samoanTeam) they are a new player with a load of experience.

Our halves are cake,but so what? Vagana can run to the line and feed,big enough and fast enough to play through the line as well,His defense is Much much better than all the halves ,that makes him the best defensive half in the comp with a running game to boot,we got ballplayers in Ali and David Solomona so we must be playing wider,Our props do thier job and do it well,

Ben Roberts is not top shelf but hes young,his off the field is off the field,show me a player cleaner then him then i might buy into the whole "*** ben roberts" saga but most probably not.I remember when i first saw him I thought the potential and Talent was high,but he is in a  high pressure position PLUS he played alongside SBW,thats intimidating in itself having a second row/loose having ball skills that most percieve to be better than your own,that would suck if ball skills were the main pre reqs for your position.

He's in a new headspace WITH alot of support(not saying that there was none for him at Bulldogs)

 Regardless of who is in the lineup for each game,They are there for our entertainment,thier passion,Our Pride,Our Game.

The Game is simple,catch,run,kick,tackle,win.

theres the process.

And If Toa Can have stick to these to a tee,then we will WIN the World Cup,you can take that to the bank.

tRUX08:

Bro Samoa got nothin on the kiwi's...youre right there are good balance between back and the forwards but the halves is where you be worried about they pretty much crap and theyre be lucky to beat tonga..oh as for Tangi Ropati as fullback i dont know about that dude cause if i woz gonna get someone from queensland cup i would of that fullback who plays for souths logan Quentin sumfin sumfin long az freshy name

You mean Quinten Laulu Togagae...LOL- Vagana is talking up the chances of the Samoan team....now i would bet my sisters house on Samoa wining the cup but the backs are a bit questionable, i just hope someone other than NZ/AUS/ENG take it out cause it'll look better for the game, i believe only AUS and GB have won it?????

TC Lilo-Vaisau:

i just hope someone other than NZ/AUS/ENG take it out cause it'll look better for the game, i believe only AUS and GB have won it?????

 

France have won it TWICE. NZ -NEVER- How Bizarre????

Hehe! Take it easy dude...

There's no question or issue with experience... what I did note is your point about samoa having the "most experienced" WC squad and how some of the players, opted to play for Samoa... Heck, that's bloody awesome, and overall it's great to see more PI's and even PNG players rep'n their roots etc!

 I just don't agree that some of those players would still command a place in the current Kiwi team... It didn't matter that those players chose not to play for NZ, cos they wouldn't have made the Kiwi team anyway, and they knew it... including Ali & Solomona - as brilliant as they used to be, even on current form... how the hell could they command a place ahead of Simon Mannering (80 min man, tackling machine, mr consistant) add to that Setaimata Sa, Jeremy Smith, Sika Manu, Fa'alogo...

They were great Kiwi international stars 3-4 years ago, and some of them were even involved in the Kiwi 2005 tri-nations victory... but they wouldn't make the team today.

Meli ahead of Krisnan Inu, Manu 'the beast' Vatuvei, Brent Webb (injured)...? c'mon man, seriously... Meli was da man, and still is in great form for his club, but times change and new, more dynamic stars rise... eg Inu, Vatuvei, Perrett, Ropati... throw in Steve Matai (da man!)

I had to have a little laugh on your observation of Tonga's "weakness" in their halves?? Dude, look at toa's #6 - Vagana??? lol, he's a legend in the game, but no #6... he can't even make the bench anymore for Souths... and #7 Roberts? ... not a halves pairing that would set the world on fire!?

anyways... 3 days till WC starts! yiah!

Selu - I would have to totally disagree with you on your comment about choosing Setaimata Sa, Jeremy smith, Sika Manu & David Fa'alogo ahead of Ali Lauitiiti and David Solomona. Let me tell you why! Setaimata Sa and sika Manu only made the kiwis because of injuries to Roy asotasi & Frank Pritchard. Ali Lauitititi & David Solomona are proven players and have been in good form in the UK league. You ask any true die hard kiwi league fan and i bet 9 out of 10 times they'd have Ali & David ahead of some of the players you mentioned. 

Also quoted new dynamic stars - i wouldn't say new, as these players have been playing in the NRL for around four to five seasons Vatuvei, Inu, Ropati.

Don't worry about the Samoan halves. With the amount of ball they gonna get from their forwards it'll be all go forward.  The good thing about this Toa side is that they have an even amount of super league and nrl players. You don't hear much about the super league players but that would play to Samoa's advantage. I tell you one player in particular to watch will be Harrison Hansen. He played for the kiwis as a raw 18yr afew seasons ago but opted to play for Samoa last year.

ToaMalosi:

SELUMAN:

 I just don't agree that some of those players would still command a place in the current Kiwi team... It didn't matter that those players chose not to play for NZ, cos they wouldn't have made the Kiwi team anyway, and they knew it... including Ali & Solomona - as brilliant as they used to be, even on current form... how the hell could they command a place ahead of Simon Mannering (80 min man, tackling machine, mr consistant) add to that Setaimata Sa, Jeremy Smith, Sika Manu, Fa'alogo...

They were great Kiwi international stars 3-4 years ago, and some of them were even involved in the Kiwi 2005 tri-nations victory... but they wouldn't make the team today.

Meli ahead of Krisnan Inu, Manu 'the beast' Vatuvei, Brent Webb (injured)...? c'mon man, seriously... Meli was da man, and still is in great form for his club, but times change and new, more dynamic stars rise... eg Inu, Vatuvei, Perrett, Ropati... throw in Steve Matai (da man!)

 

Malo boys,

 Yeah I have to agree on that one, some players in the Toa squad are and I have to say - a few "has beens" whereas in years past they were STARS. I've watched Meli a few times for Saint Helens and although effective and hard to tackle, his defence is still abit shaky postion wise. I'm not only turning on my own people but also other teams as well but that's what makes World Cups special, players rise to the occasion and play out of ther skins.

Have to agree on the first post on this thread that the Toa have kept things low key. Taking the team back to Samoa to see who they will be playing for is another bonus. Some players have never been to the Islands so that will be a major boost, going back to there roots.

 Regardless of Tonga's loss to NZ, doesn't mean it will be a walkover for Samoa. The Tongans will take positives from the negatives and make it more than an even, bruising contest.

 

Malo Toamalosi.... boys.... (and TC too)

Yep, I like what Samoa doing, taking the lads back to the motherland! hehe!, Tonga did did a similar thing last year when they played the junior kangaroos at Teufaiva stadium in Nuku'alofa.

That's great motivation and a quick history lesson all in one!... esp for the lads who have never been to islands at all...

The closer we get to WC time... the more the tension builds! 

This island battle is gonna be one of the WC highlights forsure! and it's not just the game, which is gonna be one tough & bruising encounter in itself... but add to that the crazy supporters, the national anthems belted out in native tongue, Tonga throwin down the Sipi Tau... Toa laying down the Siva Tau... hell that's even before the ball is kicked off!!

Koia foki kau tama! oua!

Kelefua...

All good mate, we're gonna just have to agree to disagree. That's what forums are all about, and I think it's pretty cool on this site, we got island bros coming on and sharing their thoughts, opinions, insights etc about a game we all love. What a boring bloody place it would be if we all agreed on every thing... hahaha!

anyways, back to league... Sorry dude, a few years ago, Ali Lauitiiti was one of the 1st names you'd name for a test match!... but things change, new stars emerge... same goes for Solomona... How on earth would Ali be picked ahead of Simon Mannering - who would tackle 3 times as many tackles Ali would, solid ball runner, and his 80 mins value to any team is priceless!

Captain Asotasi is a huge loss, and also Frank Pritchard (who would have partnered Mannering) will be greatly missed as well... but it's no good talking bout players who arn't there... If that was the case Tonga would be doing the same thing... It's a no brainer that had the likes of Anthony Tupou, Willie Mason, Brent Kite, Louis-Fraser-Vinnie Anderson, Tame Tupou etc been available for Mate Ma'a Tonga - the TAB would have shortended their odds big time!

It's no coincidence Steve Kearney has named Sika Manu to start against OZ... he had an outstanding year for the Storm, and has created a name for himself as a hard, direct, damaging ball runner, and his defence creates turn overs... ala last minute vs Broncos hit on Sims to spill the ball... If Pritchard was available, Manu would have prob dropped to the bench... but certainly he, or even Sa or Smith would certainly be selected ahead of Solomona...

Samoa: Smith Samau, Francis Meli, George Carmont, Willie Talau, Matt Utai, Nigel Vagana (capt), Ben Roberts, Kylie Leuluai, Terrence Seuseu, Tony Puletua, David Solomona, Lagi Setu, Harrison Hansen. Interchange: Frank Puletua, David Faiumu, Joseph Paulo, Ali Lauitiiti, Alby Talipeau (One to be ommitted).

Looks like Samoa have opted to go for a power game rather than speed. I'm picking the hitman (Harrison Hansen) to do the damage in the tackling department. The good thing is that not much is known about him in OZ but he's well known in the UK for his hits.

 Go Toa Samoa!!

kelefua:

Samoa: Smith Samau, Francis Meli, George Carmont, Willie Talau, Matt Utai, Nigel Vagana (capt), Ben Roberts, Kylie Leuluai, Terrence Seuseu, Tony Puletua, David Solomona, Lagi Setu, Harrison Hansen. Interchange: Frank Puletua, David Faiumu, Joseph Paulo, Ali Lauitiiti, Alby Talipeau (One to be ommitted).

Looks like Samoa have opted to go for a power game rather than speed. I'm picking the hitman (Harrison Hansen) to do the damage in the tackling department. The good thing is that not much is known about him in OZ but he's well known in the UK for his hits.

 Go Toa Samoa!!

Greetings Peeps,

Are you really kelefua when your on the computer, lol...nah joax, im still not convinced by Ben Roberts, im not hatin on him (i actually think he is one friggin hottie) i cannot wait until the game...TOA SAMOA- +4 at least...i bet at least 2+ players will have to be admitted to the casualty ward!!! wooooo bring it on Tonga!!!