2015 Rugby World Cup Preview: Manu Samoa
By Matt Findlay
Manu Samoa coach Stephen Betham admitted his side's second placing at the World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup (PNC) wasn't the ideal way to go into the 2015 Rugby World Cup (RWC), but said it certainly isn't a bad preparation by any means.
Betham named his 31-squad for RWC several days ago, and the group is a direct reflection of the afore-mentioned tournament, with a number of locally-based players earning selection as a result.
Prop prop Jake Grey, scrum-half Vavao Afemai and goal-kicking fly-half Patrick Faapale all did enough in Betham's eyes.
“We are looking to compete at the World Cup,” Betham said recently.
“On the day we can beat any side in the world. When we played the All Blacks recently we were nine out of 10.
“It is my job to make sure we don’t go back to having off-days and scoring four out of 10.
“This has been an incredibly difficult selection process as we have had to leave behind some excellent players … there is comfort is knowing tha