Manu Samoa went down 10-19 to Argentina in pool competition this morning
By Staff Writer
The Manu Samoa climb to reach the Rugby World Cup championship round took a much steeper angle when toppled by Argentina this morning 19-10.
Samoa is now on a must win run in its last remaining matches, to qualify for the next level up in the championship knock out rounds.
England is the formidable foe in the remaining two teams for the Manu Samoa to play in the pool including Japan.
England is the strong favorite to top the pool after overcoming the Argentina’s Los Pumas earlier.
Samoa posed as the next strong challenge for the English side to overcome to top the pool.
But after the loss to Argentina, the likely chances of a Manu Samoa upset win is dismal .
“England, who face Samoa in the final round of the pool stages, will fear nothing from the Pacific Islanders who, until a spirited, late resurgence, could barely string two passes together and were hammered by Argentina at the line-out and the maul,” UK’s Telegraph wrote of Samoa’s winning chances, after this morning’s defeated outing.
Disappointed Coach Vaovasamanaia Seilala Mapusua, tried to console the home fans after the loss with a twitter message.
“Malo Le tapua’i Samoa.
“Not to be for your team tonight,” he twittered.
“We will rest, re-group and go again.”
Coach Vaovasamanaia was under no illusion of the Argentina challenge before the game.
His hopes, however, of his team playing the ‘Manu Samoa way’ did not live up to expectations.
What remains for the team to stay in the hunt for the World Rugby Cup is an historic win, against all odds, over England.
Samoa has been down that road before with their famous, resounding victory over Wales in the 1991 World Cup.