Underestimate Samoan rugby players at your peril

What impact have Samoans had on the English game?

I have been lucky enough to have played with and against some of the Samoan greats that have graced the Premiership over the years.

Indeed one of my fondest rugby memories involves probably the smallest Samoan to have played on these shores.

I was fortunate to be on the pitch at the time when the diminutive David Lemi caught the ball 65 metres out, beat five men, chipped ahead and gathered to score for Bristol against Bath.

It was one of the best tries I have ever seen and that try alone would have been worth the admission fee. I have heard since that the Bath boys applauded it in Monday’s analysis of the game.

Samoan players have entertained in the Premiership for years with the ability to produce things that other players only dream of.

They are renowned for the big hits and ball carries but we shouldn’t forget that they have included incredibly skilful handlers and in the case of David Lemi, footwork that most can only admire.

All in all, not only have they entertained us they have lifted the standard of the game in England.

London Irish centre Seilala Mapusua was the 2009 PRA players’ player of the year. A prestigious award won by the likes of Jonny Wilkinson, Neil Back and other huge stars of the game.

Leicester’s Alesana Tuilagi has been one of the stand-out wingers in the Premiership over the years and has been instrumental in the Tigers’ success.

Underestimate them at your peril.

The beauty of so many of them playing in the Premiership is that the England team know only too well what to expect and they will want to follow up last week’s performance against Australia.

The Samoans don’t get as much chance to play and train together as the home nations but they ran Ireland very close last Saturday and will have learnt a lot about each other from that and I am sure they will relish the chance to play at Twickenham against England.

England will need to be at the same levels of last weekend otherwise they could find it very tough. I expect England to win but Samoa to be very competitive and committed.

There may be a few sore English bodies on Sunday morning.

by Haydn Thomas (Telegraph.co.uk)

Source: http://my.telegraph.co.uk/rugby/haydnthomas/756/underestimate-samoan-rugby-players-at-your-peril/