Selection of the final 31 players for the Manu Samoa World Cup team for 2015 was not easy.
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That’s the word from the coach of Manu Samoa, Stephen Betham.
“There was a wider training squad that the management had been looking at but at the end of the day, we can’t pick them all.
“We have only selected those experienced players who can work together both on and off the field for the upcoming World Cup.
“We have faith in this team and to us, this is the best team.
Stephen Betham explained the reason that some key players have been left out of the team was because of their injuries and other unfortunate circumstances.
“Census Johnston said that he is keen to play for the team but he had already signed an agreement with his club and that’s something that we can’t touch.
“He will be available for the World Cup but during the preparation period, he has to play for his club. However if (we) need to call upon him, he’ll be available for the World Cup games.
“David Lemi had serious injuries as did James Johnston so we can’t force them because it would affect their long term welfare. For Stephen Betham “I think the ranking at this stage is not as important as planning for the world event.
“The World Cup is the big picture and that is the whole aim.
“I know if we don’t do well it will affect the ranking. It doesn’t matter how many tests we play per year as tier two nations, we can never break the top five in the world. The only chance is the World Cup.”
“Rankings are a concern but something has to give. We know we have to suffer in some way in order to gain what we are looking for in the future.
The good news for the team concerns Manu Samoa captain, Ofisa Trevarunius.
“He has fully recovered from the injury he suffered during the test match with the All Blacks and he’s in good shape now.
Other players have not reached the heights expected of them, according to Betham.
Sinoti Sinoti was one of those key players during the Pacific Nation Cup who didn’t reach the standards expected.
“There were three test match chances that we gave to Sinoti but to us, he didn’t perform in those games, so there are some areas that he needs to work on to achieve the next level in his performance.
Stephen said that the most exciting news after the P.N.C. was the high level of fitness and strength of each player as they collectively head towards the World Cup.
The first training of the Manu Samoa team for the World Cup was at Samoa Rugby Union Headquarters, Tuana’imato.
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