WALES v SAMOA
Venue: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Date: 13 November Kick-off: 1930 GMT
Coverage: Live on BBC TWO Wales & online, Radio Wales and Radio Cymru, plus radio commentary online

Evans wants Wales to be more dynamic against Samoa

Ieuan Evans has warned Wales to play a sensible game when they face Samoa in the second autumn Test at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on Friday.

Evans twice captained Wales against the Samoans in 1991 and 1994 and was on the receiving end of defeats both times.

Wales were also beaten in 1999, and tasted further south-sea island defeat in the 2007 World Cup to Fiji.

"Never set yourself up as a target, particularly early on in the game," 72-cap Evans told Scrum V Radio.

"I think that's the hint there of how Wales will play - take the steam out of them, play a big kicking game and play the game in the right areas of the field, which is what they didn't do against New Zealand [in last Saturday's 19-12 loss].

"They should really wear away at them and use their technical ability, particularly up front. You would expect Wales to have a significant advantage up front."

With the overall series between the two nations standing at three wins apiece, both teams will be anxious to gain the upper hand before another World Cup encounter, in Hamilton in 2011.

Wales' pool also includes South Africa, Fiji and the winner of a two-leg play-off between Tunisia and Namibia which will be decided by 28 November.

Evans believes the forwards will be the key to a Wales success, providing they learn from the mistakes in the loss to the All Blacks last weekend.

"Technically I think we will be far too strong, particularly up front as long as we are precise with what we do," he added.

"At times on Saturday we weren't precise and it cost us. We don't want to be loose out there. We want to be precise and play our rugby in their territory.

"Comfortable is not a word I associate with Samoa. Even though the score-line might look comfortable, the ribs will still be sore after playing Samoa.

"The days of Samoa being [just] committed, whole-hearted and physical are gone."

Most of the Samoa team play their rugby in the Guinness Premiership and Le Championnat in France and Evans picked out London Irish centre Seilala Mapusua in the back line as an example of the quality they possess.

And he says Wales also need to be a lot more dynamic than they were against New Zealand if they are to have a chance.

His focus was on the centre partnership of Jamie Roberts and Tom Shanklin, which came in for some criticism following the All Blacks defeat.

"It was noticeable that there wasn't an awful lot coming from midfield last weekend - we weren't even getting across the game line," said Evans.

"There was a lack of dynamism and that was throughout the team, not purely at the midfield.

"There was a lot of criticism of the referee [South African Craig Joubert]. I don't think he was particularly good, but on the other hand they are always going to favour the side with momentum.

"If you're going forward on your toes you've got a better chance of getting a decision. At times last weekend Wales were on their heels in the tackle area.

"It's important that when you pick the likes of Tom Shanklin and Jamie Roberts they have to get us over the game line - that's their role."

Wales: James Hook (Ospreys); Leigh Halfpenny, Tom Shanklin, Jamie Roberts, Tom James (all Cardiff Blues); Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Dwayne Peel (Sale/ENG); Gethin Jenkins (Blues), Huw Bennett, Paul James (both Ospreys), Luke Charteris (Newport Gwent Dragons), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Andy Powell, Sam Warburton (both Blues), Ryan Jones (Ospreys, capt).
Replacements: Matthew Rees (Scarlets), Craig Mitchell (Ospreys), Bradley Davies (Blues), Jonathan Thomas (Ospreys), Martin Roberts, Jonathan Davies, Morgan Stoddart (all Scarlets).

Samoa: Lolo Lui (Apia); David Lemi (Wasps/ENG), Gavin Williams (Clermont/FRA), Seilala Mapusua (London Irish/ENG), Anitelea Tuilagi (Sale/ENG); Fa'atonu Fili (Wellington/NZ), Junior Poluleuligaga (Bay of Plenty/NZ); Justin Va'a (Glasgow/SCO), Mahonri Schwalger (Sale/ENG), Census Johnston (Toulouse/FRA), Filipo Levi (Newcastle/ENG), Iosefa Tekori (Castres/FRA), George Stowers (capt, London Irish/ENG), Ofisa Treviranus (Apia West), Henry Tuilagi (Perpignan/FRA).
Replacements: Andrew Williams (Apia West), Sakaria Taulafo (Tasman/NZ), Kane Thompson (Dax/FRA), Jonathon Fa'amatuainu (Bath/ENG), Uale Mai (Apia West), Henry Fa'afili (Leeds Carnegie/ENG), Titi Esau (Apia West).

Referee: Peter Fitzgibbon (Ireland)

Assistant referees: Dave Pearson (England), Rob Debney (England)

Television match officials: Geoff Warren (England)

Assessor: Bob Francis (New Zealand)

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version