14 Jul 2018

Sport: Manu Samoa look to confirm Rugby World Cup spot

10:23 am on 14 July 2018

Save a monumental meltdown Samoa will confirm their place at next year's Rugby World Cup this weekend.

The Manu thrashed Germany 66-15 in Apia two weeks ago in the first leg of their home and away play-off.

Manu Samoa all but sealed their World Cup berth.

Manu Samoa all but sealed their World Cup berth. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The return match is in Heidelberg on Sunday, after which coach Fuimaono Titimaea Tafua said the pressure of qualifying will finally be off the Manu's shoulders.

Although, he said he expected the home team to put up a strong fight.

" I know for sure that Germany will play well and that's why we've prepared (so thoroughly and) our preparations for this game will have to look at all our mistakes from the previous game," he said.

Samoa thrashed Germany 66-15 in the first leg of the Oceania/Europe play-off in Apia.

Samoa thrashed Germany 66-15 in the first leg of the Oceania/Europe play-off in Apia. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Former Samoa captain Pat Lam played at three World Cups and said it was important the Manu is involved in rugby's pinnacle event.

"They did a good job in Samoa, they got a 50 point lead, so they're starting this game 50 points to nil up in Germany so it should be a done deal," said Lam.

"If they don't then we probably don't deserve to be in the World Cup so I'd say it's pretty much a done deal now."

Five of the current Manu Samoa squad play under Pat Lam at English club Bristol.

Connacht head coach Pat Lam.

Former Manu Samoa captain Pat Lam coaches a number of the current squad at Bristol. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The former Blues and Connacht coach was involved with the team in 2012 when they reached seventh in the world rankings.

He said there's a lot of quality Samoan rugby players around the world but for the test team to succeed the structure and organisation needs to be right.

"The culture is easy because all the boys love playing for Samoa and they're proud to come together but you've got to be organised," he said.

"You've got to be professional and all of these guys come from a lot of professional teams so that's why when they come together everything has to be spot on - it's got to be at a different level - and once you do that you can see what these guys can do.

"Certainly watching them from afar and talking to some of them as well that's where big improvements can be made because there's no doubt when you look at the quality of the players in there they should be playing a lot better than they are," said Lam.

"They did well against Germany, they've just got to get this game out of the way and then kick on from there for next year."

Germany will have home advantage for the second leg in Heidelberg.

Germany will have home advantage for the second leg in Heidelberg. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Meanwhile Samoa A take on the Western Force tonight in an invitational game in Perth.

The squad is made up of all local players from Samoa's Super 9 Rugby Championships and will be led by former Manu Sevens captain Afa Aiono.