Samoa enters 'Pool of Death'

IRB.com/The Fiji Times - Thursday, July 30, 2009 7:51 PM

THE Samoans join defending World Champions South Africa in Pool D along with Wales and Fiji at the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

SAMOA beat Papua New Guinea 73-12 in Port Moresby on to complete a comprehensive 188-19 aggregate win and book their place at the 2011 RWC.

Samoa becomes the second nation to progress through the global qualifying process, following Canada's qualification last weekend, and the 14th to secure its place in the tournament.

The Samoans join defending World Champions South Africa in Pool D along with Wales and Fiji. The pool line-up will be completed by the winner of Africa's qualifying final, between Tunisia and Namibia in November.

Samoa started at the Lloyd Robson stadium at a ferocious pace and wing Mikaele Pesamino crossed for the first of his three tries after just four minutes.

Five more unanswered first half tries by Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu, Andrew Williams (2), Semo Sititi and a second for Pesamino put the result beyond doubt, and Titi Esau landed four of the conversions to make the score 38-0 at the break.

The local media in Fiji has quoted former Fiji 15s coaches who sounded a stern warning that Fiji Rugby must improve its tight-five or barce for the worst at the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

Former All Blacks prop Brad Johnstone said pointed to the struggle the Flying Fijians forward pack face against Japan in their ANZ Pacific Nations Cup clash in Suva.

Johnstone said Fiji would need to find a solution to its growing woes in the forwards because against the Cherry Blossoms there was a lack of commitment and agression

Another former national coach Wayne Pivac said the Flying Fijians must put a lot of emphasis on the forwards.

Pivac said Fiji will have to concentrate on the set pieces for the 2011 RWC. Island nations like Fiji, Samoa and Tonga continue to lag behind in the forwards.