Manu Samoa focused on bettering performance against USA

The Manu Samoa will be out to give their best performance against USA in the Pacific Nations Cup in Suva on Saturday.

The Steve Jackson-coached side is not worried about rankings.

However, the players are focused on improving their game following last weekend’s opener against Tonga.

Jackson says he has confidence in his players after a successful outing in the last match against Tonga.

“We are happy with where we are at the moment and are excited with the direction we are taking. We are already there now and we need to just take the next step,” Jackson said.

“We finished well last week although there was a little bit of rust but we are not worried about ranking as we will be putting a good game and the end result will just speak for itself.”

The Samoan side is currently in 16th place in world rugby rankings while USA is placed 15th.

Jackson said there was a lot of competition in the team as each player was vying for more game time.

“There is a lot of competition within the group at the moment and everyone is sort of vying for positions which make the performance of each individual better.

“You know these games are extremely important not only for the players to show us what they got but also for us to see the characters and see what they are like in the team environment because all that is part and parcel of creating the team culture.

“These two weeks in Fiji is important because it is only going to get us a little closer together so you know we are pretty excited.”

After a match last weekend in terrible ground conditions, the Samoan coach said he was hoping for a better weather on game day.

The team will face USA in the second round of the Pacific Nations Cup at the ANZ Stadium in Suva.

 

     

Author: 
Josephine Navula