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Loughborough to host Manu Samoa training camp ahead of World Cup
Posted on 17/08/2007
Loughborough Newsdesk
Loughborough University has been chosen as the base for the final training camp for Samoas national rugby team ahead of next months Rugby World Cup in France.
The training camp and tour, with matches against English club sides Harlequins (August 17), Northampton (August 19) and Sale (August 24), has been underwritten by sportswear manufacturer Puma, which are the team sponsors.
Samoa, which is in the same group as world champions England, have played at every World Cup since their debut in 1991, where they introduced themselves to the world by shocking Wales at Cardiff and making the quarter-finals.
"We are delighted that Manu Samoa, with the assistance of Puma, have chosen to base themselves at Loughborough ahead of their World Cup campaign, said the Universitys director of rugby Alan Buzza.
"The Samoans have a tradition of producing wonderful, hard running and physical rugby and will not be afraid to express themselves during the World Cup.
"It is this exuberant style of play that has made them every non-Samoan rugby fans second team and I am sure the people in Loughborough and the surrounding Charnwood area will take them to heart.
Samoa are coached by former All Blacks great Michael Jones with the talismanic Peter Fatialofa, who captained Samoa in their first World Cup campaign in 1991, joining him as forwards coach.
Centre Brian Lima is making his fifth appearance at the World Cup, while three Tuilagi brothers — Henry, Alesana (Alex) and Anitelea (Andy) will be following in the footsteps of their older sibling Fereti (Freddie) in playing for Samoa at a World Cup " Freddie was in the 1991 and 1995 squads.
The Tuilagis have strong links with Leicestershire rugby with all four having played for the Leicester Tigers. The squad has 15 players in total playing professionally in the UK.
Loose forward Semo Sititi, who played for Cardiff, Newcastle and Borders, will again captain the side. Sititi and scrumhalf Steve Sooialo will be appearing in their third World Cups while prop Kasiano Lealamanua, hooker Mahroni Schwalger, and wing Lome Faatau played in Australia in 2003.
Samoas first match in the World Cup is against the Springboks in Paris on September 9, before they meet fellow Pacific Islanders Tonga in Montpellier on Sepember 16, England in Nantes on September 22, then complete their pool matches against the United States at St Etienne on September 26.