Samoa pride up against it

Wednesday night Manu Samoa will be a long way from home when they run out in Taranaki to face the mighty All Blacks, they will also be without a lot of their star players too as they are all in club's scattered around the globe. Being without a few things though will certainly not stop them being over full of pride and passion as they always are and they will give it there all against NZ tonight.

Over the years Samoa have rocked a few big teams on the international stage and always made sure the opposition knows they are in a game of rugby, no one more so in this department than legend Brain Lima, this man has left many a dent in men.

This challenge this evening will be huge, the All Blacks are fizzing, have the cream of their crop available and even resting Ritchie Mc Caw will do little to lighten the work for the Samoan's. You won't get Lepale Niko Palamo agreeing Manu Samoa is fielding a second-string side against the All Blacks in New Plymouth tomorrow night. Far from it. "We never have a B team. We always put the best team we can on the field," said the straight-talking Manu Samoa coach. "This is the All Blacks we're playing, you have to play your best. Who knows? We might create history on Wednesday."

Now it is time to have a deeper look at Samoa. They have guts to except this assignment especially in the late notice and knowing full well that they will be without a lot of their international stars. This courage deserves a pat on the back, there is only one way to get better at anything and that is to play the best, if you get a caning you can learn a few tricks for the future and hopefully this equips the boys for future test matches. This is graphically getting highlighted in current test matches, 2 weekends ago Australia beat the South African's, 7 days later the SA boys thumped the Wallabies in a return fixture. The point is that in our great game of rugby a week is a life time at times, accept games on offer, learn the lessons and always strive to be a better unit.

Samoa has come a long way, they have delivered the world of rugby so so much and this is a gift that we need to remember and to repay in the future. They have shown the guts of never say die, no matter how big the big is. In this test, we need to remember it is exactly that, a TEST & it is a mighty one this time. Samoa is walking into a battle and they will perform above their limits as they always have. Look at them, share in their guts, their efforts, their flair, their big hits and cheer them on as they are the very spirit that makes rugby what it is. This is what makes little village boys want to follow them and this is what makes little teams know they can beat the big boys.

Win or not tonight Samoa is gutsy enough to be in the hunt.