Manu Samoa coach, Stephen Betham, has conceded that their World Cup campaign is “virtually over.” And in doing so, he has also apologised to Manu Samoa fans in Samoa and all over the world.
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“The Manu Samoa team and management want the people of Samoa and the supporters of Manu Samoa to know that our results at this World Cup come down to us,” Betham told the Samoa Observer from the team’s new base at Newcastle.
“We have had all the support we needed from the Samoa Rugby Union, we have been looked after very well by the tournament, and we feel we have excellent skills in our management team to support what the players need to do on the field."
“We apologise to the people of Samoa that we let you down, and we didn’t achieve what we wanted.
We ask our supporters to forgive us…”
The apology from Betham followed the team’s woeful performance against Japan on Sunday morning where they lost, 26-5. Manu Samoa needed to win the match to keep their hopes of making the quarterfinals alive with one more pool game remaining against Scotland.
Prior to Japan, the team defeated the United States of America, 25- 16, before succumbing to South Africa, 46-6.
But it’s the result against Japan that has not just rocked the team but also its support base all over the world, especially in Samoa.
Betham made no excuses about the team’s performance.
“We simply didn’t play well enough,” he said. “We were not disciplined, we lacked urgency, and Japan were just better than us. We let all our supporters, our families and ourselves down.”
One of the most contentious points has been the selection of the team, namely the decision to exclude loose forwards Maurie Faasavalu and Alafoti Faosiliva. Yesterday, Betham denied reports that there was friction in the team.
“(I’m) not sure (about reports),” he said.
“Maurie was injured last week and couldn’t be considered for the Boks game. TJ had an outstanding game against the Boks and coaches felt he had earned the right start again against Japan. “Alafoti had shown in pre-tournament form, that he simply was not accurate enough for us in his core role. We have some excellent locks and loose forwards and the positions are very tightly contended among those in the squad.”
Betham also denied reports that lock Joe Tekori had left the team camp.
“Joe travelled with us to Newcastle and is fast asleep in his bed,” he said.
Looking ahead to their last game against Scotland, Betham said the team has settled into their base and although there are no serious injuries, they are assessing a few aching bodies.
“While our World Cup campaign is virtually over, we have much to play for in this last match against Scotland and want reward the people who have supported us unfailingly,” he said.
“Coaches will choose the team that they feel best fits the game plan. Different team, different venue, different feel. We have 31 players to choose form obviously and you can’t select everyone.”
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