Samoans weary of Uruguayan threat

Samoa coach John Boe believes Uruguay are targeting a shock World Cup victory over his South Sea Islanders in tomorrow night’s Pool C clash at Subiaco Oval.

The Samoans make their tournament bow, while Uruguay are smarting from a 72-6 thumping against South Africa three days ago.

On paper, Samoa should be far too strong for ’Los Teros’, but Boe is taking nothing for granted.

“Certainly, you cannot doubt Uruguay’s commitment and passion,” said Boe.

“They will be a different team against us, because they will be targeting us.

“They wouldn’t have been targeting England or South Africa, but they will definitely have the objective of going home with two victories, and they will be looking at us for one of those wins.”

Samoa, World Cup quarter-finalists in 1991 and 1995, are without key personnel like Trevor Leota and Henry Tuilagi due to availability problems, but Boe is confident in his resources.

“I don’t feel any added pressure, really, with regard to our previous World Cup performances,” Boe added.

“But there is certainly a responsibility to play to our absolute maximum and to excite our public. If we do that, then I will be happy.

“I think our fitness is the best it has ever been. England and South Africa are at another level, but we hope to be much better than we have been in the past in terms of fitness.”

Boe’s Uruguayan counterpart, Diego Ormaechea, admits that he doesn’t know a great deal about the Samoans.

“We know that they have many players who play at a good level in Europe and New Zealand. We don’t have much of an idea about what they do, but we know their style of play,” he said.

“We made many mistakes against South Africa, but we did do some good things. We put many players into space, but we missed too many tackles and that is the area we must work on.”

Ormaechea has made five changes from the side crushed by South Africa, including replacing both half-backs, but it will require a considerable effort to stop Samoa from making a winning start.