Steelers stars join slighted Samoa
Tue, 26 Aug 2008 14:52
Counties-Manukau Steelers Romi Ropati and Simon Lemalu have been selected to play for Samoa against the All Blacks in New Plymouth, prior to the Kiwi's Tri-Nations finalé in Brisbane.
Loosehead prop Lemalu has already played for Samoa this year, while Steelers centre Ropati has also represented Samoa previously.
The two will play in the Steelers' Air New Zealand (NZ) Cup match against Southland at Rugby Park on Thursday night, before heading into camp with the rest of the Samoan squad for the All Black encounter on September 3.
The All Blacks on the other hand will roll out their top side against the understrength Samoa - the latter having confirmed few, if any, of their Pacific Nations Cup squad will be in New Plymouth due to European club commitments - suggesting a mismatch of epic proportions.
New Zealand will be using the Samoan Test to get their side back to match fitness after what will be a substantial break from Tri-Nations rugby, before they head to Brisbane a week later for the Tri-Nations decider against the Wallabies.
"We are not too worried what Samoa come with," All Black forwards coach Steve Hansen told The Dominion Post.
"We just need the game so we can mould the Test team and give them a game before we play a Test against Australia," he added.
The All Blacks' top XV, or close to it, is expected to play in the Samoan Test - the 10 All Blacks used sparingly during the Tri-Nations having played for their respective provinces during last weekend's Air NZ Cup matches, while Hansen feels the regular Test 22 also need some game-time.
That will include captain Richie McCaw, who has been nursing sore ribs after the Newlands victory against the Springboks last week, but Hansen was unsure about the fitness of scrumhalf Andy Ellis and whether Piri Weepu would be required to cover the No.9 position.
