Advertisement
History in the making

5 perfectly reasonable excuses to stay up all night watching Samoa take on the All Blacks

Admit it, you’re willing to stay up until 5am to get your fix of international rugby.

1. Historic occasion

THIS IS NOT your run-of-the-mill seriously intense international Test match.

lava-lava McCaw and Hansen wear the traditional lava-lava while in Apia. @AllBlacks @AllBlacks

Samoa v New Zealand (Sky Sports 1, kick-off 3am Irish time) is history in the making, as the sport’s most recognisable brand at long last take a short trip out into the Pacific Islands that have fed their culture – not to mention the All Blacks themselves – for so long.

This will be much more than rugby, this will be a celebration of all things Manu Samoa.

The All Blacks have been given a rousing welcome at the airport, Census Johnston has come out of retirement and the Apia Test will be played smack bang in the middle of a specially commissioned national holiday. The 15,000 fortunate enough to be watching live will be demanding big hits and an unlikely win over the world’s best team to give them reason to make the three-hour plane trip again some day.

2. Charles Piutau

Particularly for Ulster fans, but also rugby fans in general: if you haven’t seen the northern province’s future back three star in action live, now’s your chance.

France Rugby New Zealand AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

The Auckland Blue is joined in the backline by his team-mate George Moala (who makes his debut in black) and both will be given a stern test by a home team and crowd baying for blood.

With most of the Hurricanes and Chiefs players resting up after a brilliant Super Rugby final, this is an opportunity for others to stake their claim in Steve Hansen’s World Cup squad. Among the replacements, Charlie Ngatai and Colin Slade (in the problem 10 position) are two more with more than just World Rugby ranking points to play for.

3. There’s serious talent among the home ranks too

Physicality and athleticism takes you a long way in rugby and Samoa have that in spades, but they also have a wealth of skillful players who will proudly pull on the blue jersey having proved their worth in Super Rugby or Europe.

Ireland Samoa Rugby Jack Lam in action against Ireland in 2013. AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

Along with the formidable power of Alesana Tuilagi or Johnny Leota in the back-line and openside Jack Lam; Tim Nanai-Williams will run from fullback having committed himself to Samoa after making himself one of the most exciting Super Rugby talents in recent seasons.

4. Family ties

New Zealand is inextricably linked with the Pacific Islands. 14 of Samoa’s 23-man squad were born in the Land of the Long White Cloud, while the Test holds special significance for All Black blindside Jerome Kaino who was born in American Samoa and follows in the footsteps of Apia-born Jerry Collins.

Nanai-Williams (a brother of Ulster number eight, Nick) at some point will come face to face with his cousin and team-mate Sonny Bill Williams who starts at outside centre.

Nothing quite fuels competitive instinct like family does.

5. It’s the start of the World Cup season and the reigning champs have brought the big guns

New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen has made some relatively experimental selections in his back-line, but up front little has been left to chance.

Rugby Union - QBE International 2014 - England v New Zealand - Twickenham David Davies David Davies

Richie McCaw and Kieran Read are present alongside Kaino in a superb back row. Sam Whitelock packs down behind a front row of Tony Woodcock, Keven Mealamu and Owen Franks.

This is not a pre-tournament friendly, it’s one of the toughest possible ways New Zealand could have started a season they hope will end in another Webb Ellis Cup.

4 or 5 sessions a day in ‘deepest, darkest Poland’ — George North looks ahead to World Cup prep

The All Blacks got a rousing welcome ahead of an historic game in Samoa

Your Voice
Readers Comments
4
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.