STEPHEN Betham, the head coach of Samoa, has claimed that his country, along with Fiji and Tonga, have been unfairly treated by the Rugby World Cup authorities because of their reputation. Betham said that the three Pacific Island nations had been “tainted”, and treated differently from other countries because of their physical style of playing the game.
“From the start, all Pacific Islanders were tainted,” Betham said yesterday. “We were warned at the start, but it’s not an excuse.
“We don’t train to go out there to hurt people. We go out there to play tough rugby and hard rugby. It’s unfortunate that’s the way we are seen. But it’s not an excuse. We’ve got to abide by the rules and play the best we can.”
All 20 competing countries received a customary pre-tournament briefing from officials about areas of the game, including neck-high tackles, which match officials were going to particularly watchful for. But Betham implied that the three Pacific teams had had an additional briefing and been specially warned about their behaviour.
“Things we were to be mindful of from the past,” he said when asked what the warning had been about. “Ill discipline.”
Asked to confirm that he meant just the Pacific Islanders, he continued: “Yes. At the end of the day we have to abide by the rules. Sometimes we need to exert ourselves when we need to, and that’s how it is, we play hard and tough, that’s the way we play rugby.”
Samoa play Scotland tomorrow and can finish no higher than third in Pool B, having beaten the United States in their first game but then lost to South Africa and Japan. They had three players yellow-carded against the Japanese last Saturday, then on Tuesday winger Alesana Tuilagi was banned for five weeks after being cited for foul play in the same match. Tuilagi has until this evening to appeal against that suspension, but Betham was reluctant to say whether an appeal would be submitted.
“We’re feeling the pain, but I think I’ll leave it at that,” he added. “I don’t want to get into trouble by saying anything more. So we’ll leave it at that.
“The processes are put in place and we’ll leave it how it is. Whatever comes from it comes from it.”
Despite their morale being low after two defeats, Betham believes his team could still put in a big performance in their final game. “We can be dangerous on any day, but we have to show up, not just off the field but on the field. We are motivated – we are mindful that we have to play for ourselves. We haven’t played well all World Cup, but maybe we have one left in us. The Scots have a lot on the line too, but we’ll give our best.”
Ofisa Treviranus, the squad captain, is unavailable because of an ankle injury. Scrum-half Kahn Fotuali’i has taken over as captain.
Samoa (v Scotland at St James’ Park, Newcastle, tomorrow, 2.30pm): T Nanai-Williams; P Perez, G Pisi, R Lee-Lo, F Autagavaia; T Pisi, K Fotuali'i; S Taulafo, M Leiataua, C Johnston, T Paulo, K Thompson, M Faasavalu, J Lam, A Faosiliva. Substitutes: M Matu'u, V Afatia, A Perenise, F Levave, V Tuilagi, V Afemai, P Faapale, Ken Pisi.
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