Time against Steve Jackson as he prepares to restore Manu Samoa to feared World Cup force
Time is short, but Steve Jackson has lofty ambitions with Manu Samoa.
The head coach of World Rugby’s No 16-ranked side has been in the job less than a month but flies out this weekend with his Australasian-based players and management to link with the European professionals for a three-Test northern tour.
It is not, by any stretch, a cutting-edge itinerary: USA (in Spain), Georgia and then Spain, all tier two rugby nations.
“We don’t want to be playing tier two teams, but that’s just the reality of the situation we’re in at the moment. This mini-tournament is important to build confidence heading to the Rugby World Cup.
“On this tour, we want to establish how we want to play the game and the standards we want. But the World Cup is what I am employed to do,” says Jackson, whose two-year contract as the Blues forwards coach ended in disappointment.
Just six weeks ago he was pondering whether to apply for the 2019 North Harbour coaching job two years after leaving that union on a high with the Mitre 10 Cup Championship title.
There was another role in the pipeline, but then a chance meeting between his Blues colleague Al Rogers, who was working with Hawke’s Bay at the time, and former referee Chris Pollock, set in motion the swift chain of events which led to Jackson taking the Manu job. Some would see it as a poisoned chalice given what has happened to Alama Ieremia (2017) and Dicky Tafua (2018).
But Jackson is nothing but excited about what lies ahead. Manu Samoa qualified in July for the World Cup. Now there are just seven Tests before they lock horns with Russia on September 24, 2019. Not since Pat Lam’s boys in 1995 has a Manu team qualified for the RWC quarter-finals. That is too long when you consider the talent often at their disposal.
“I’d be silly if I didn’t (aim for the quarters). I made it clear to the players and management group that we were not going there just to compete and be happy with our performances if we lose. We are going to win and to win as many games as possible. It’s about me making those players believe they are good enough to beat these teams,” he adds.
Jackson talks of bringing the “fear” back into the Manu jersey. He wants players who are passionate for their homeland and their team.
“Privileged is the word. To be a head coach again, for an international side and going to a World Cup, it doesn’t get much better than that.”
His 31-man squad had to be lodged with World Rugby on October 5, within a few days of him getting his feet under the desk. There was little time to sift local talent – Samoa A won the Americas Pacific Challenge days later – but they could come into reckoning next year.
Samoa coach, the great Manu wing Brian Lima, has already let Jackson know publicly about the need to promote Samoan-based players where possible.
Loose forward TJ Ioane has dropped out through injury, while Otago prop Hisa Sasagi has an offshore contract to head to once the Mitre 10 Cup Championship final is done this Friday.
Chris Vui, who would have been skipper, having worn the captaincy armband for Jackson with North Harbour in 2016, is out with a groin injury, while halfback Kahn Fotuali’i is only just back from long-term injury. Brandon Nansen of the Dragons has been cleared of concussion symptoms after his place was in doubt.
Scarlets centre Kieron Fonotia is unavailable and is believed to have a clause in his club contract that removes him from November international selection.
“There is an international window in November where all players are available, but in some instances you have to give them leeway with their clubs,” says Jackson, diplomatically.
First-five Tusi Pisi’s selection has aroused some public comment. The 36-year-old was first selected by Michael Jones for the Manu way back in 2002 but did not play his first Test until 2011. He now has 34 internationals to his name and is plying his trade for the Bristol Bears.
He and Auckland-based D’Angelo Leuila are the No 10s. There are few others eligible and up to the mark.
“I’ve known Tusi a long time,” says Jackson, who played club rugby with Pisi at Massey in 2004. “He’s a highly professional rugby player and athlete. He has come in for some criticism, but I back myself as a coach to get the best out of Tusi.”
The same goes for other players, including uncapped men like Tasman hooker Ray Niuia, North Harbour lock Ben Nee-Nee, Hawke’s Bay midfielder Stacey Ili and Bay of Plenty second-rower Kane Leaupepe. The latter, in particular, was in fine Mitre 10 Cup form. He is the sort of youngish, dynamic, ball-winning lock that Jackson wants to see in his pack come RWC 2019.
Those who missed the cut, such as wing Sinoti Sinoti, and locks Joe Tekori and Auckland’s Fa’atiga Lemalu, may all still come into calculations next year.
‘The door’s not closed on anyone. But I have a way we want to play the game. It’s about relentless work ethic. We’re going to hang in there and play until the 80th minute. To play that way, you’ve got to be in condition. It’s not just about the guys who have been there before,” declares Jackson.
Funnily enough, one of those who has been there, done that, is loose forward Faifili Levave, now 32, and straight from Wellington club rugby via Japan. Jackson rates him highly and Levave was one of the first he called for this tour.
The hope is that this group return to their franchise or club, spread the word about how the Manu has a good thing going and Jackson can then call on a large group of players from which to plan his assault on RWC 2019. Among the coaching group is Rogers, scrum coach Ben Afeaki and former Wallaby Chris Latham, who provides the continuity with the Tafua regime.
Jackson has forged a solid reputation with Counties Manukau, North Harbour and the Blues, despite the 2018 output of the latter. He is as well qualified as any to guide Manu Samoa back to the heights they have known only sporadically since the glory days of 1991.
Comments on RugbyPass
Bell injured his foot didn’t he? Bring Tupou in he’ll deliver when it counts. Agree mostly but I would switch in the Reds number 8 Harry Wilson for Swinton and move Rob Valentini to 6 instead. Wilson is a clever player who reads the play, you can’t outmuscle the AB’s and Springboks, if you have any chance it’s by playing clever. Same goes for Paisami, he’s a little guy who doesn’t really trouble the likes of De Allende and Jordie Barrett. I’d rather play Carter Gordon at 12 and put Michael Lynagh’s boy at 10. That way you get a BMT type goalkicker at 10 and a playmaker at 12. Anyways, just my two cents as a Bok supporter.
13 Go to commentsThanks Brett, love your articles which are alway pertinent. It’s a difficult topic trying to have a panel adjudicating consistently penalties for red card issues. Many of the mitigating reasons raised are judged subjectively, hence the different outcomes. How to take away subjective opinions?
4 Go to commentsYes Sir! Surprising, just like Fraser would also have escaped sanction if he was a few inches lower, even if it was by accident that he missed! Has there really been talk about those sanctions or is this just sensational journalism? I stopped reading, so might have missed any notations.
4 Go to commentsAI is only as good as the information put in, the nuances of the sport, what you see out the corner of the eye, how you sum up in a split second the situation, yes the AI is a tool but will not help win games, more likely contribute to a loss, Rugby Players are not robots, all AI can do if offer a solution not the solution. AI will effect many sports, help train better golfers etc.
45 Go to commentsIt couldn’t have been Ryan Crotty. He wasn’t selected in either World Cup side - they chose Money Bill instead. And Money Bill only cared about himself, and that manager he had, not the team.
26 Go to commentsYawn 🥱 nobody would give a hoot about this new trophy. End of the day we just have to beat Ireland and NZ this year then they can finally shut up 🤐
13 Go to commentsTalking bout Ryan Crotty? Heard Crotty say in a interview once that SBW doesen't care about the team . He went on to say that whenever they lost a big game, SBW would be happy as if nothing happened, according to him someone who cares would look down.. Personally I think Crotty is in the wrong, not for feeling gutted but for expecting others 2 be like him… I have been a bad loser forever as it matters so much to me but good on you SBW for being able to see the bigger picture….
26 Go to commentsThis sounds like a WWE idea so Americans can also get excited about rugby, RUGBY NEEDS A INTERNATIONAL CALENDER .. The rugby Championship and Six Nations can be held at same time, top 3 of six nations and top 3 of Rugby championship (6 nations should include Georgia AND another qualifying country while Fiji, Japan and Samoa/Tonga qualifier should make out 6 Southern teams).. Scrap June internationals and year end tours. Have a Elite top six Cup and the Bottom 6 in a secondary comp….
13 Go to commentsThe rugby championship would be even stronger with Fiji in it… I know it doesen’t fit the long term plans of NZ or Aus but you are robbing a whole nation of being able to see their best players play for Fiji…. Every second player in NZ and AUS teams has Fijian surnames… shame on you!!! World rugby won’t step in either as France and England has now also joined in…. I guess where money is involved it will always be the poor countries missing out….
84 Go to commentsNo surprise there. How hard can it be to pick a ball off the ground and chuck it to a mate? 😂
2 Go to commentsSometimes people just like a moan mate!
4 Go to commentsexcellent idea ! rugby needs this 💪
13 Go to comments9 Brumbies! What a joke! The best performing team in Oz! Ditch Skelton for Swain or Neville. Ryan Lonergan ahead of McDermott any day! Best selection bolter is Toole … amazing player
13 Go to commentsI like this, but ultimately rugby already has enough trophies. Trying to make more games “consequential" might prove to be a fools errand, although this is a less bad idea than some others. Minor quibble with the title of the article; it isn’t very meaningful to say the boks are the unofficial world champions when it would be functionally impossible for the Raeburn trophy not to be held by the world champions. There’s a period of a few months every 4 years when there is no “unofficial” world champion, and the Raeburn trophy is held by the actual world champions.
13 Go to commentsIts a great idea but one that I dont think will have a lot of traction. It will depend on the prestige that they each hold but if you can do that it would be great. When Japan beat the Boks (my team) I was absolutely devestated but I wont deny the great game they played that day. We were outclassed and it was one of the best games of rugby I have seen. Using an idea like this you might just give the the underdog teams more of an opportunity to beat the big teams and I can absolutely see it being a brilliant display of rugby. They beat us because they planned for that game. It was a great moment for Japan. This way we can remove the 4 year wait and give teams something to aim for outside of World Cup years.
13 Go to commentsHi, Dave here. Happy to answer questions 🥰
13 Go to commentsDon’t think that headline is accurate. It’s great to see Aus doing better but I’m not sure they’ve shown much threat to the top of the table. They shouldn’t be inflating wins against the lousy Highlanders and Crusaders either.
3 Go to commentsSuch a shame Roigard and Aumua picked up long term injuries, probably the two form players in the comp. Also, pretty sure Clarke Dermody isn’t their coach. Got it half right though.
3 Go to commentsOh the Aussie media, they never learn. At least Andrew Kellaway is like “Woah, yeah it’s great, but settle down there guys” having endured years of the Aussie media, fans, and often their players getting ahead of themselves only to fall flat on their faces. Have the “We'll win the Bledisloe for sure this year!” headlines started yet? It’s simple to see what’s going on. The Aussie teams are settled, they didn't lose any of their major players overseas. The Crusaders and Chiefs lost key experienced All Blacks, and Razor in the Crusaders case, and clearly neither are anywhere near as strong as last year (The Canes and Blues would probably be 3rd & 4th if they were). The Highlanders are annually average, even more so post-Aaron Smith and a big squad clean out. The two teams at the top? The two nz sides with largely the same settled roster as last year, except Ardie Savea for the Canes. They’ve both got far better coaches now too. If the Aussies are going to win the title, this is the year the kiwi sides will be weakest, so they better take their chance.
3 Go to commentsThe World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. This must have been the rationale when the World Cup was created, surely? But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
13 Go to comments