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Samoa pre-World Cup training camp 'one of the best' as Pacific Nations Cup looms
By Online Editors
With just over two months until Samoa's World Cup campaign gets underway, preparations for rugby's showpiece event in Japan are going better than ever for the 16th-ranked side in the world.
In fact, their current training camp in Auckland ahead of the upcoming Pacific Nations Cup is "one of the best" Manu Samoa have had, according to star prop Logovi'i Mulipola.
The Newcastle Falcons prop is part of head coach Steve Jackson's 31-man squad for the pre-World Cup tournament, and told One News of how much different their lead-up to the 2019 spectacle has been compared to recent competitions, which have often been dogged by poor resources and lacklustre training conditions.
"A lot of the time we come together, [there's] a lack of time we've been together," the 32-year-old said.
"Compared to the tier one, tier two [teams], they literally have a block of a month to come together.
"We come together [in] the week, and play the weekend - which does not help."
However, Mulipola believes that the squad's extended period of time together in Auckland bodes well for both the Pacific Nations Cup and the World Cup.
"This is one of the best, we have one week before a Test match," he said.
"Hopefully we're going to do better this time."
Manu Samoa's international season kicks-off next weekend in their Pacific Nations Cup opener against rivals Tonga at Apia Park.
Clashes against the United States and Fiji in Suva will follow in consecutive weeks, before they face the New Zealand Heartland XV as part of the Pasifika Challenge II at Eden Park in Auckland on August 31.
Samoa open their World Cup campaign on September 24 against Russia at Kumagaya, the first of four pool fixtures which will see them face Scotland, Japan and Ireland in one of the tougher groups of the World Cup.
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Latest Comments
The way Ratima has been treated he needs to look OS. Same with Perofeta and Love, Hothem too. Razor is a token coach. Gives debuts but very few mins. Also DM too. Just go earn millions elsewhere DM as all you get in NZ is bagging.
BB is coaches favourite and I say let him have BB right thru to the next 2 or maybe even 3 World cups.😁😁 Have JB outside him at 12...That just works so well.
Go to commentsIt certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
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