Rugby: Samoans revel out of Cup limelight

By Chris Rattue

They've been tucked away in the relative obscurity of the Bay of Islands.

While New Zealand's rugby attention has been focused on such pressing matters as the state of Jonah Lomu's leg, Manu Samoa have been working on scrums, lineouts and team bonding in Paihia for the past week.

They have come from far and wide. From captain Pat Lam and superstar Va'aiga Tuigamala - two of the many British-based professionals - to the unheralded New Zealand club players who believe they can lift rugby's most prized trophy.

The Bryan Williams-coached World Cup squad leave today for a camp at Aggie Grey's in Apia to face far greater attention. And that's just the way it has been planned.

"We're not the All Blacks so it is understandable we don't receive the same attention here, although the Bay of Islands people have been fantastic to us," said Williams, one of the greatest All Blacks.

"We're on a bit of a shoestring budget although it would be a lot harder without the support we get from Fay Richwhite.

"And I wouldn't want to be the All Blacks either - the sort of pressure they are under.

"I dare say we will be under that sort of pressure in Samoa, but we wanted some peace last week where we could do a lot of hard work.

"That's why we have left it until now to go to Samoa. The players will receive all the interest and support there that the All Blacks get here, and that is also very important in helping us bond together and feel the support of the people."

Manu Samoa rugby is virtually owned by the Fay Richwhite bankers, their benefactors since Sir Michael Fay is alleged to have said: "Get me a football team."

But while maybe two thirds of the squad have professional contracts - others are obscure club men.

"They and their families have made major sacrifices and the professional players next to them know that and it makes them try even harder," said Williams.

"We had a game amongst ourselves today and I can tell you there are a few injuries from it - it was pretty serious stuff. Everyone is competing hard for places."

The Samoan squad will return to New Zealand for four days of fine tuning before departing on September 22 to their pool matches in Wales against Japan, Argentina and Wales.