South Africa vs Samoa, 26 September

      
SOUTH AFRICA v SAMOA
26 September 2015
KO: 16:45
Villa Park, Birmingham
Live on ITV1 (United Kingdom) and TV3 (Republic of Ireland)

Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)  
Assistant referees: JP Doyle (England), Angus Gardner (Australia)
TMO: Graham Hughes (England)

South Africa:

15 Willie le Roux, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jean de Villiers (c), 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Schalk Burger, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Tendai Mtawarira

Replacements: 16 Schalk Brits, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Frans Malherbe, 19 Lood de Jager, 20 Siya Kolisi, 21 Ruan Pienaar, 22 Pat Lambie, 23 Jesse Kriel.

Samoa:

15 Tim Nanai-Williams, 14 Ken Pisi, 13 Paul Perez, 12 Rey Lee-Lo, 11 Alesana Tuilagi, 10 Mike Stanley, 9 Kahn Fotuali'i, 8 Ofisa Treviranus (c), 7 Jack Lam, 6 TJ Ioane, 5 Joe Tekori, 4 Teofilo Paulo, 3 Census Johnston, 2 Motu Matu'u, 1 Zak Taulafo

Replacements: 16 Ole Avei, 17 Viliami Afatia, 18 Anthony Perenise, 19 Faifili Levave, 20 Vavae Tuilagi, 21 Vavao Afemai, 22 Tusi Pisi, 23 George Pisi

This is make or brake for South Africa.

I think if they lose Heyneke Meyer won't be allowed back into the country.

Certainly need a big, big improvement!

Notch wrote:I think if they lose Heyneke Meyer won't be allowed back into the country.

Certainly need a big, big improvement!

Samoa are not in their best shape either. Both teams will be looking to prove themselves. This could be an epic match...

Thanks for the thread Notch.

Interesting to see that Samoa have brought in Stanley at 10 - they clearly realise that having as erratic a goalkicking performance as they had against the Eagles could cost them this game.

This is a huge match and I cannot see anything other than the Boks manically searching for atonement. And achieving it.

Now i know i have said this before, but i really cannot see SA losing to Samoa.

I never thought that SA would lose to Japan either. But this game is a must win for SA today.

majesticimperialman wrote:Now i know i have said this before, but i really cannot see SA losing to Samoa.

I never thought that SA would lose to Japan either. But this game is a must win for SA today.

It's a must win for Samoa too...

The pressure is on SA, they really need a BP win and a good performance. Luckily for SA, they are a team that can handle pressure. I believe SA may just run over Samoa.

Samoa certainly have some big lads in the team that's for sure.

That was some hit on Strauss

Good intercept by Peterson and a good run in for the try.

Pieterson could have made the conversion a bit easier to be fair.

du Preez has to be a little careful here, Barnes does not like being told how to referee a game and will card him if he doesn't stop.

Burger handling it on the ground was a clear penalty to Samoa there.

Again the bigger sides seemingly getting the benefit of the doubt. Agree with prof, penalty Samoa with Burger handling on the ground.

Willie Le Roux is one of my favourite players to watch.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:Willie Le Roux is one of my favourite players to watch.

Tim Nanai Williams aint too bad either.

That's why Barnes is one of my favourite ref's (even though many hate him). Took the call from his linesman and trusted him, no TMO required. Great stuff from him

eirebilly wrote:That's why Barnes is one of my favourite ref's (even though many hate him). Took the call from his linesman and trusted him, no TMO required. Great stuff from him

Hes just lucky he had one that made a decision. Most of them just stand there and shrug their shoulders.

Golden wrote:

eirebilly wrote:That's why Barnes is one of my favourite ref's (even though many hate him). Took the call from his linesman and trusted him, no TMO required. Great stuff from him

Hes just lucky he had one that made a decision. Most of them just stand there and shrug their shoulders.

I felt he was very good there myself although I do agree with the linesman making and standing by his decision. Barnes is doing a very good job and is very clear in his rulings.

Awwwww. I'd have loved to see census going the length to score

SA playing better this week than last.

eirebilly wrote:

Golden wrote:

eirebilly wrote:That's why Barnes is one of my favourite ref's (even though many hate him). Took the call from his linesman and trusted him, no TMO required. Great stuff from him

Hes just lucky he had one that made a decision. Most of them just stand there and shrug their shoulders.

I felt he was very good there myself although I do agree with the linesman making and standing by his decision. Barnes is doing a very good job and is very clear in his rulings.

Very good refereeing from him there. Telling Tualigi not to go down so easy.

This is going to be a monster kick if it goes over.

Barnes having a great game as he did NZ v Arg. Some of the posters knocking him pre EC look a bit silly now.

Should have reversed the penalty after Tuilagi dived.

Really poor there from Tuilagi. proper dive that and well played that man Barnes again for his decision and explanation.

Pieterson can count him self lucky not to get a yellow card.

majesticimperialman wrote:Pieterson can count him self lucky not to get a yellow card.

Maybe a penalty, but a yellow would have been harsh. Once Tuilagi dived the penalty should have been reversed. I think it's Tuilagi that was lucky not to be carded.

Munchkin wrote:

majesticimperialman wrote:Pieterson can count him self lucky not to get a yellow card.

Maybe a penalty, but a yellow would have been harsh. Once Tuilagi dived the penalty should have been reversed. I think it's Tuilagi that was lucky not to be carded.

A yellow card for Tuilagi would have been harsh but certainly a reversal of the penalty warranted, simply must remove that shoite from our game.

eirebilly wrote:

Munchkin wrote:

majesticimperialman wrote:Pieterson can count him self lucky not to get a yellow card.

Maybe a penalty, but a yellow would have been harsh. Once Tuilagi dived the penalty should have been reversed. I think it's Tuilagi that was lucky not to be carded.

A yellow card for Tuilagi would have been harsh but certainly a reversal of the penalty warranted, simply must remove that shoite from our game.

Maybe, but World Rugby did say they were going to stamp down on diving, and that yellow cards would be issued. Allowing Tuilagi to get away with it sends out the wrong message. I do think he should have been carded.

I know the guidelines that have been set for this RWC and you are right in that Munckin, its a personal thing not to give a yellow card there.

Again Barnes showing some quality there, no need for the TMO. du Preez must be starting to annoy him though with all his chat.

eirebilly wrote:I know the guidelines that have been set for this RWC and you are right in that Munckin, its a personal thing not to give a yellow card there.

I think it was a yellow, but wouldn't complain if the penalty had have been reversed. Tuilagi just got away with a block as well. He's going to pick up a card if he keeps up with the indiscipline.

Great try there by Pieterson.

Heynker Mayoer? i cannot tell if he is excited or stressed at the moment.

Both I would think

Stanley having a shocker with the boot.

That Samoan kicker is bloody awful - should stop wasting penalties giving him a shot at goal

What a reception for Matfield, one of the true legends of the game. Played really well today too

Ball was held up?

Clear knock on in the ruck before Burger's try but I don't think it really matters now

Hmmmmm. Looked held up to me

Samoa are very poor in their defensive lines and discipline. They are gifting SA a TBP here. SA have not been that impressive if I may be honest.

Williams is sheer class.

Course he goes to the TMO for that one, could have done with that a few minutes ago.

That was a brilliant try for Samoa.

Lood De Jager is genuinely the South African Iain Henderson.

What a try there.

tigertattie wrote:Hmmmmm. Looked held up to me

It looked that way. Strange that the commentators didn't mention it. Maybe hear something in the post match analysis.

Looks like a great Try for Samoa there.

Poor Samoa. Would have been a great try.

That is a shame. it was a great well worked form of play.

That is a poor decision. That was not forward at all, shocking there from the TMO, absolutely pish decision and is why I hate the TMO over involvement.

Samoan lineout is simply awful.