Rugby: Japanese rob Samoa of halfback

By Chris Rattue

Manu Samoa have been robbed of halfback Joe Filemu for the World Cup after his Japanese employers pressured him into making himself unavailable.

Coach Bryan Williams has named a 30-man squad based around a sprinkling of New Zealand-based Super12 or NPC players, 12 from British clubs, and a handful from New Zealand clubs.

The squad include former All Blacks Pat Lam, Va'aiga Tuigamala and Stephen Bachop, and players like Brian Lima, Afato So'oalo, George Leaupepe, Mike Mika and Lio Falaniko, who have plenty of Super 12/NPC experience.

Exciting wing Lima, though, has been left out of Auckland's NPC squad because he is considering playing overseas and Auckland coach Wayne Pivac says the union still wants to sort out his intentions and possible future contract.

Williams said Filemu, a former Wellington representative, played and worked for Mitsubishi in Japan, who had not supported his World Cup aspirations.

"Basically they've threatened his job if he goes so he has made himself unavailable," Williams said. "It is against the international regulations, although it is a bit of a grey area because they say it is an employment contract issue.

"It is very disappointing for Joe and us."

The 30-man squad, to be captained by Lam, have been named after a seven-game build-up which included the Pacific Rim competition, a narrow loss to France, and a crushing defeat by the All Blacks.

Manu Samoa may lose North Harbour prop Fosi Pala'amo, who has suffered a knee ligament injury, and Williams said they were light in that department and still looking for a possible replacement.

John Schuster has not recovered from a shoulder injury sufficiently to be selected.

The heavy loss to the All Blacks at Albany in June appears to indicate Manu Samoa have dropped off the international pace but Williams believes the side have the ability to win pool D. They play Japan in Wrexham, Argentina in Llanelli and Wales in Cardiff.

"It was just a really bad night against the All Blacks - they got away on us, but I don't think the gap is actually that big," Williams said.

"We don't have any more lead-up games, which is a bit of a disadvantage, but it is a help that so many of our players are based over there and we have a lot of experience in the squad.

"As always, our strength will be our mobility and I feel our set-pieces have started to improve.

"Our aim is to win the pool. It gets a bit difficult if you don't."

Williams will be assisted by Uaea Apelul, from Samoa, with Peter Fatialofa the technical advisor. They will go into a training camp in New Zealand and Samoa in early September.