The ability to improvise and provide an off the cuff moment is genius is a trait that separates the best from the rest in Rugby; and, truly, Kahn Fotuali’i is one of Rugby’s best scrum halves.

During Samoa’s recent Test victory over Canada, the Northampton number nine unconventionally managed to flick the ball to Census Johnston with his toes before dragged into a ruck.

Youtube Credit: Lizardo Lizardos

Del.icio.us

Facebook

TweetThis

Digg

StumbleUpon

Imagine receiving the ball with the line at your mercy at a crucial juncture against a team your yonation has never beaten and inexplicably knocking on.

Well, if you want to know how that feels Canada’s Gordon McRorie could tell you.

Ultimately, Canada would lose 23-13 to Samoa, but, had McRorie scored, the trajectory of the game could have been very different.

Youtube Credit: Ruddy Darter

Del.icio.us

Facebook

TweetThis

Digg

StumbleUpon

Powerful tackling and defensive vigilance is not something you associate with Northampton’s former Osprey and Samoan international scrum half Kahn Fotuali’i.

Usually, the 32 year old is known for his off the cuff style and attacking improvisation; but, last weekend-during Samoa’s test with Canada-, the scrum half showed his game is fortified with defensive steel as he tracks down his opposition number nine, Gordon McRorie’s attempted snipe and powerfully drives the 26 year old into touch.

Youtube Credit: Habi Aftabi

Del.icio.us

Facebook

TweetThis

Digg

StumbleUpon

Polynesian teams and their physicality, eh?

During England’s Women’s Rugby World clash with Samoa, Samoa’s full back, Soteria Pulumu, was sent off for a reckless spear tackle on England’s scrum half, Natasha Hunt. Predictably, Pulumu was sent off for the incident.

Thankfully, Hunt was unscathed in the incident and went on to be a thorn in the Samoan’s side for the remainder of the game, which England won at a canter.

Youtube Credit: Pierre Ammiche

Del.icio.us

Facebook

TweetThis

Digg

StumbleUpon

Tries, tries and more tries…

Last Friday, England u20s retained their JWC title with a narrow 21-20 win over an impressive Baby Boks side.

The competition was fiercely contested throughout with a serious showcase of the up and coming talent of for international rugby.

The IRB youtube account has compiled their best 5 tries from the tournament. Who gets your vote for no.1? It has to be South Africa’s try vs. Scotland or Tevita Li’s try vs. South Africa. Two moments of brilliance really.

Here are the 5 tries, enjoy.

 

Del.icio.us

Facebook

TweetThis

Digg

StumbleUpon

We saw:
Wallabies defeat France 39-13
All Blacks over England 36-13
South Africa squeeze out Wales 31-30
Scotland get up over Argentina 21-19
Japan upset Italy 26-23
Samoa over Fiji 18-13

One international remains, next week we’ll see South Africa take on Scotland.

Del.icio.us

Facebook

TweetThis

Digg

StumbleUpon

Thrilling last minute try saved Tonga from defeat

The clock had ticked a minute past full-time with Manu Samoa clinging to an 18-15 lead when Tongan lock Josh Afu was pulled down in a lineout.

Referee Wayne Barnes had no hesitation awarding the penalty and Tongan replacement back Fangatapu Apikotoa calmly slotted the difficult 40-metre shot at goal.

Before a capacity crowd of more than 14,000, Samoa — ranked ninth in the world, four places higher than Tonga — were expected to produce a much improved performance from when they were humbled 33-14 by Japan last month.

But the injection of their senior professionals from Europe, who were absent in Tokyo, did little to lift their game and the crowd was silenced in the 21st minute when Tonga’s right winger, Otulea Katoa scooted over to score the first try of the match.

Fly-half Latiume Fosita landed the conversion from wide out for the visitors to lead 7-0.

In the closing stages of the first half, Fautua Otto opened Samoa’s account with a 65-metre run to the line before Afu crossed for Tonga to turn with a 12-5 lead.

A penalty by Tusi Pisi at the 60-minute mark saw Samoa close the gap to two points, and with 12 minutes to go Samoa captain David Lemi scored with Pisi’s conversion giving the home side the lead for the first time.

In a whirlwind end to the game Latiume landed a penalty for Tonga to level the scores at 15-15, Samoa immediately edged ahead with another Pisi penalty before Fangatapu stepped up to land the equaliser.

Final score Samoa 18-18 Tonga

Del.icio.us

Facebook

TweetThis

Digg

StumbleUpon

Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu, had some vicious words for the All Blacks.

In a video posted on YouTube, the former Bath and Gloucester centre talks about the area’s rich rugby past, before teeing off on the All Blacks, where he claims the All Blacks lack of touring to date is financial.

An attack obviously targeted at the All Blacks recent decision to play a one off test against the USA, when their sponsor fronted a large financial incentive to do so.

“There was a time when the United Nations asked all the nations in the world not to have sporting relationships with apartheid South Africa.

“They asked the whole world to do that … but there was one country that decided not to listen. That country was New Zealand, and that team was the All Blacks. And the reason was for money.”

“That’s the worst reason ever. The chasing of money. Because it justifies the killing of innocent people” he continues.

“If Hitler had an interest in rugby and fronted the money and showed the All Blacks, told them to come tour Nazi Germany, the All Blacks would.”

Fuimaono-Sapolu winds up the five-minute clip, saying “If after all that, they somehow come up with another excuse, then the All Blacks are an absolute bunch of (video censored, but mouths the words f-ing a**holes)”.

Fuimaono-Sapolu does have a history of controversial comments. In 2001, he called the IRB a bunch of “muppets” for charging over comments he made on twitter, directed at board members and a referee.

His comments came days after being warned for a Twitter post linking the RWC scheduling to slavery, the holocaust and apartheid

The IRB brought a misconduct charge against Fuimaono-Sapolu after he called referee Nigel Owens a “racist, biased prick” in the wake of Samoa’s 13-5 loss to South Africa.

He also called the IRB a “joke” and said officials should “kiss my bum”.

Del.icio.us

Facebook

TweetThis

Digg

StumbleUpon