Rugby: Jones laments lack of tests

A scarcity of international competition is hampering Samoan rugby says national coach Michael Jones.

Ahead of Manu Samoa's test against Scotland at the Westpac Stadium here tonight, the former All Black great said their brief international schedule prevented the island nation from producing consistent results.

Samoa have just three tests this year.

Their opening Pacific tri-nations test last weekend produced a 24-14 win over Tonga, tonight's "home" test against Scotland, and their final tri-nations match against Fiji on June 12 round out their international calendar.

"Our ability to be consistent and our results are difficult because our programmes are quite scattered and disjointed," Jones told NZPA yesterday.

"To have a competition that gave us six to 10 test matches a year would be great. We need some consistency so potential players have some international rugby to aspire to."

Even with the introduction of the Pacific Island team -- a composite squad drawn from Samoa, Tonga and Fiji -- and their three test matches against New Zealand, Australia and South Africa next month, their playing agenda was still too brief, Jones said.

"Not all of our players will make the PI team anyway. On an ongoing basis we need more games and tours to generate revenue.

"Besides the pride of playing for Samoa, players also need some security."

Samoa's match against Scotland tonight will be only the fifth match between the teams.

The paucity of test-matches for Samoa compared with their opponents' is stark -- this year Scotland will play 11 tests, the same number as New Zealand.

Last year Scotland played 15 tests to Samoa's six, while the All Blacks played 14.

"Whether it's a second tier five nations competition or a longer tri-nations tournament we would look at any option that provides more international rugby then we're getting at the moment," Jones said.

"Games are sprinkled all too infrequently."

The issue of revenue was one reason Samoa moved the game from Apia to Wellington with the prospect of increased gate takings.

Besides the lack of matches, Jones had the extra challenge of shaping up his team in just 12 days.

"It's pretty difficult to shape a team in that time to take on the Scottish, but the wonderful thing about these boys is that they're like sponges.

"They soak up all the training and then implement it on the field. They will also run through a brick wall for you."

Jones and co-coach Peter Fatialofa have also been hammering out the bad habits some of their transient players have picked up while playing for their overseas clubs.

Scotland coach Matt Williams gained his first win in seven matches in charge of the team by beating New South Wales Country 48-10 after a 41-5 loss to Queensland in their tour opener.

Winger Sean Lamont will make his test debut and Williams has chosen Gordon Ross at first five-eighth ahead of Chris Patterson who has moved to fullback.

That brittle backline combination will face a defensive test against a strong Samoan unit.

"The Samoans are a very physical, very powerful group," Williams said. "They're well coached and they're probably the big improvers in world rugby in the last 12 months."

Tonight's match kicks off at 7.35pm.

Samoa: (15-1): Tanner Vili, Lome Fa'atau, Dale Rasmussen, Brian Lima, Sailosi Tagicakibau, Roger Warren, Steven So'oialo, Semo Sititi (captain), Ulia Ulia, Siaosi Vaili, Opeta Palepoi, Leo Lafaiali'i, Tamato Leupolu, Jonathan Meredith, Kas Lealamanua. Reserves (16-23): Loleni Tafunai, Simon Lemalu, Kitiona Viliamu, Michael Von Dincklage, John Senio, Mussolini Schuster, David Lemi.

Scotland: Chris Paterson, Sean Lamont, Ben Hinshelwood, Andy Henderson, Simon Webster, Gordon Ross, Chris Cusiter, Allister Hogg, Donnie Macfadyen, Jason White, Scott Murray (captain), Stuart Grimes, Bruce Douglas, Gordon Bulloch, Tom Smith. Reserves: Steve Scott, Craig Smith, Iain Fullarton, Jon Petrie, Mike Blair, Dan Parks, Hugo Southwell.

- NZPA