Coach stands firm

Manu Samoa coach, Stephen Betham, has defended his playing squad for tomorrow morning’s must-win game against Japan at the Rugby World Cup.

Copping plenty of flak for excluding loose forwards Alafoti Faosiliva and Maurie Fa’asavalu, Betham said it’s unfortunate that not everyone can be selected.

“Experience was kind of a factor but we have gone on form mostly,” he said.

“Whoever is in the best form has been given the nod by me.”

After the team was announced yesterday morning, many fans have criticised the selection.

While most of the criticisms are about the non-selection of Faosiliva who was electric for Samoa against the All Blacks, some people have also questioned the decision to continue to play captain Ofisa Treviranus when his form has not been the best.

A former Manu Samoa player who spoke to the Weekend Observer yesterday on the condition of anonymity also questioned the decision to play Alesana Tuilagi.

“With due respect to these players, when they are not performing, it is the natural thing to take them off, isn’t it?” the former player said.

“I would’ve liked to see Paul Perez move to the wing and bring in George Pisi who can organise the midfield.

“Why can’t we have Fa’atoina Autagavaia on the wing instead of Ken Pisi. That’s another guy who hasn't been performing.”

The former player said it’s sad the coaching staff are still tinkling with the team.

“My thoughts go back to the Pacific Nations Cup,” he said. “Why didn't they take the World Cup team to the Pacific Nations Cup? Many of the players need to match fitness. They don't have it.

“Someone like Kane (Thompson) for example hasn’t played for the past three weeks. He’s a great player but match fitness is a different story.”

The former player who had represented Samoa at two Rugby World Cups said by continuing to change the teams, the coaches are not giving the players a platform to win.

“This is the World Cup,” he said. “You don't use this tournament to test players.

You get one chance at it and you better hope you make the right decisions. I hope and I pray that we can beat Japan.”

Yesterday, Betham said the selection of the team has been difficult.

“Unfortunately we cannot pick everyone but I am confident we have picked the right team for Sunday.”

Among five changes made to the team crushed by South Africa last week sees the return of lock, Kane Thompson.

Thompson missed the first game of the tournament due to a suspension but was not selected last week at all.

This time, Betham has named Thompson in the starting line-up for the crucial Pool B clash with Japan at Stadium MK. He will be pairing up with Teofilo Paulo.

"Kane has been hungry to go,” Betham said. “He’s waited for his chance and he’s been given it for this Saturday. We have welcomed him back with open arms."

The 33-year-old has played at RWC 2007 and 2011, and his experience could prove decisive in a match where both teams are locked on four points (one win and one loss).

“It’s do or die for both teams and I’m sure they are feeling what we are feeling.

It's backs against the wall for both teams and whoever wins will have a great shot at making the quarter-finals.

It is Samoa's most experienced test side ever, with the starting XV boasting 346 caps.

“After reviewing our loss to South Africa, we were able to find some really positive aspects to our game – it can be easy to overlook these in the face of a very clinical Springboks side,” he said.

“ We’ve also identified the areas where we needed a boost.

“This week has definitely been the most difficult week in terms of selections. “We have some very experienced, and very capable players – but in the end you can’t select everyone.

“We’ve selected the team that we believe has the best combination of skills, strength and experience to deliver us the results we are looking for against Japan.

“We have ten players with between 20 and 51 Test caps so we also know we will have some very experienced men out there.”