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Ce qu'il faut savoir sur le match Angleterre - Samoa
Les Samoa auront à cœur de bien finir contre l’Angleterre, à Lille. Quel que soit le résultat, les Anglais sont premiers de la Poule D et sont qualifiés pour les quarts de finale.
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Mais l’Angleterre ne fera pas l’impasse sur ce match. Steve Borthwick, le sélectionneur, a titularisé 13 joueurs du XV qui a débuté contre l’Argentine lors du premier match, avec, en plus, Jonny May et le capitaine Owen Farrell qui jouera 12 aux côtés de George Ford, ouvreur. Tom Curry, lui, fêtera sa 49e sélection après avoir purgé deux matchs de suspension, lui qui n’a joué que trois minutes dans cette Coupe du Monde de Rugby 2023.
Ellis Genge, Jamie George et Dan Cole, la première ligne du jour, était également titulaire lors de la victoire 48-14 contre les Samoa en 2017.
Les Samoa visent la troisième place, directement qualificative pour la Coupe du Monde de Rugby 2027 en Australie, eux qui ne peuvent plus se qualifier pour les quarts de finale. L’Argentine et le Japon joueront une sorte de huitième de finale dimanche, avec, en jeu, la deuxième place de la Poule D.
Le sélectionneur Seilala Mapusua, a désigné une toute nouvelle première ligne composée de Jordan Lay, de Sama Malolo et du capitaine Michael Alaalatoa. La deuxième ligne est, elle aussi, inédite puisqu’elle se compose de Sam Slade et de Brian Alainu’u’ese. Au total, le sélectionneur a apporté neuf changements au XV de départ qui a perdu 28-22 contre le Japon. Seuls Theo McFarland, Fritz Lee, Steven Luatua, Jonathan Taumateine, Tumua Manu et Duncan Paia’aua gardent leur place.
Le classement final de la poule ne sera connu qu’au terme du match entre le Japon et l’Australie, à Nantes. Mais, si les Samoa s’imposaient à la surprise générale, la pression serait d’autant plus grande sur les épaules japonaises et argentines.
HISTORIQUE
Il s’agit de la neuvième confrontation entre les deux équipes et la première depuis 2017. Elles se sont croisées en 1995, 2003 et 2007 dans la compétition. L’Angleterre n’a jamais perdu.
MATCH MARQUANT
L’Angleterre et les Samoa se sont affrontés en phase de poule de l’édition 2007 à Nantes. L’Angleterre avait gagné 44-22 mais les Samoa, menés 23-6 après une demi-heure de jeu, étaient revenus à 26-22 à la 50e minute. Les champions du monde en titre ont eu le temps de trembler.
POINT-CLÉ
Après une année compliquée et une préparation difficile, les Anglais ont redonné de l’espoir aux fans et aux spécialistes. Sans faire de bruit, l’Angleterre s’est qualifiée pour les quarts de finale. Même si la victoire n’est pas garantie à Lille, un quatrième succès ferait passer les hommes de Borthwick dans le clan des favoris.
FACE À FACE
Jamie George contre Sama Malolo. Les duels ne manqueront pas durant ce match, mais le duel invisible en première ligne aura son importance. L’expérimenté Jamie George s’avance contre un vis-à-vis qui ne fêtera que sa deuxième titularisation, sa première en Coupe du Monde de Rugby. En effet, il a commencé cinq de ses six sélections en tant que remplaçant.
L’INCROYABLE STAT
Le capitaine Owen Farrell n’a besoin que de deux points pour dépasser Jonny Wilkinson et devenir seul meilleur marqueur de points de l’histoire de la sélection anglaise.
L’ARBITRE
Andrew Brace (Irlande). Arbitre en United Rugby Championship, il est l’officiel de match le moins sévère de la compétition. Il n’a distribué qu’un carton jaune en deux matchs arbitrés et a sifflé une moyenne de 24 pénalités par match, soit deux de moins que Ben O’Keeffe et huit de plus que Nika Amashukeli.
LES ÉQUIPES
ANGLETERRE Freddie Steward; Joe Marchant, Manu Tuilagi, Owen Farrell (captain), Jonny May; George Ford, Alex Mitchell; Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Dan Cole; Maro Itoje, Ollie Chessum; Courtney Lawes, Tom Curry, Ben Earl
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Remplaçants : Theo Dan, Joe Marler, Kyle Sinckler, George Martin, Billy Vunipola, Danny Care, Marcus Smith, Ollie Lawrence
SAMOA Duncan Paia’aua; Nigel Ah-Wong, Tumua Manu, Danny Toala, Neria Fomai; Lima Sopoaga, Jonathan Taumateine; Jordan Lay, Sama Malolo, Michael Alaalatoa (captain); Sam Slade, Brian Alainu’u’ese; Theo McFarland, Fritz Lee, Steven Luatua
Remplaçants : Seilala Lam, James Lay, Paul Alo-Emile, Sootala Fa’aso’o, Alamanda Motuga, Melani Matavao, Christian Leali’ifano, Miracle Faiilagi
Comments on RugbyPass
> It would be best described as an elegant solution to what was potentially going to be a significant problem for new All Blacks coach Scott Robertson. It is a problem the mad population of New Zealand will have to cope with more and more as All Blacks are able to continue their careers in NZ post RWCs. It will not be a problem for coaches, who are always going to start a campaign with the captain for the next WC in mind. > Cane, despite his warrior spirit, his undoubted commitment to every team he played for and unforgettable heroics against Ireland in last year’s World Cup quarter-final, was never unanimously admired or respected within New Zealand while he was in the role. Neither was McCaw, he was considered far too passive a captain and then out of form until his last world cup where everyone opinions changed, just like they would have if Cane had won the WC. > It was never easy to see where Cane, or even if, he would fit into Robertson’s squad given the new coach will want to be building a new-look team with 2027 in mind. > Cane will win his selections on merit and come the end of the year, he’ll sign off, he hopes, with 100 caps and maybe even, at last, universal public appreciation for what was a special career. No, he won’t. Those returning from Japan have already earned the right to retain their jersey, it’s in their contract. Cane would have been playing against England if he was ready, and found it very hard to keep his place. Perform, and they keep it however. Very easy to see where Cane could have fit, very hard to see how he could have accomplished it choosing this year as his sabbatical instead of 2025, and that’s how it played out (though I assume we now know what when NZR said they were allowing him to move his sabbatical forward and return to NZ next year, they had actually agreed to simply select him for the All Blacks from overseas, without any chance he was going to play in NZ again). With a mammoth season of 15 All Black games they might as well get some value out of his years contract, though even with him being of equal character to Richie, I don’t think they should guarantee him his 100 caps. That’s not what the All Blacks should be about. He absolutely has to play winning football.
2 Go to commentswhat’s happening to Ian Peel?
1 Go to commentsAs a Crusaders fan , so disappointed , again.But I think Fergus Burke was all class for the Crusaders in his first game since October last year. Fletcher Newell , was so good at prop. Johnny McNicoll has been gold since returning from Wales. Noah Hotham brilliant , in a coming of age second season for the Crusaders.Jone Rova did really well at centre. The end of the game was tough.Sevu Reece , what a game/season in tough times.
1 Go to commentsFellas a balloon
3 Go to commentsBlues B team on display and made no race of it. By far the best team in SR with the Hurricanes barely getting past the winning post. Up the Blues 💙
6 Go to commentsWould be amazing to have Servette Genève reaching this level
3 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can't buy a win this season. Surely Penney's contract won't be renewed. There's still enough talent in the squad that they oughta be winning more.
1 Go to commentsABs captain for 23 seasons. Decent record. Surely nobody will surpass it. Legend. But alas a typo…
2 Go to commentsJust FYI Rugbypass, I for one am tired of your clickbait titles and thumbnails and will be clicking them no longer. Good day.
1 Go to commentsI think Farrell despite all of the stick he gets in the media is still one of if not the best fly half in the world. He is literally the full package. He can kick one of the best in the world, probably has the best defensive game of a fly half in the world and if he wants to he can run, take contact and find an offload to keep the pace of the attack. I dont know why he isnt spoken more about still being one of the best in the world with the likes of dupont. Farrell is the ultimate captain and team leader and is experienced- he has been in nearly any situation you can think of. I still believe due to these reasons that he is England’s best ever player and is still one of the best players in the world.
48 Go to commentsBlues are dominating up front and that’s been a long time coming. They have won the up front confrontation which is where canes, hilanders and act brumbies are also strong.
6 Go to commentsJust watched brumbies v safas game sadly not a show in he’ll thryr anywhere near quarters or semi contention. Admittedly some issues around new comers bot what stands out for me is coaching management, poor game planning and accuracy.
5 Go to commentsOne tough SOB!
16 Go to commentsI’ve put on 4/5 kilos since the beginning of the season too. Not good kilos. Bad kilos.
6 Go to commentsSurely there’s a ‘no knobheads’ policy ?
3 Go to commentsWallaroos have no chance of beating the Black Ferns unless Canada upsets them in Christchurch tomorrow but I doubt that as well!
1 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Could the victim do a course to reverse the long term CTE damage from the cheapshot?
2 Go to commentsTruely great player. In social media and opinion pieces he was held up and flogged for the results. People wanted someone to crucify, and he was the captain. He was still an immense presence respected by his peers. His battles with Siya Kolisi belong up with with Collins vs Burger in my opinion. Unlucky to be carded in the final, but I don’t agree that his red card was the defining moment. Not when you look at the dominant performances of the Springboks (PSDT in particular.) I think Cane should be remembered for the spirit and physicality that is special to test rugby.
16 Go to commentsSam was the man until he got injured .
16 Go to comments_Crusaders versus Leinster _at the moment might be a rout! But I would like to see the Blues play Toulouse, the Hurricanes front up against Stade Francais, and the Chiefs go against Toulon.
157 Go to comments