Thorburn calls for complete performance against Samoa

United States coach Peter Thorburn has challenged his side to improve their cutting edge and perform for the full 80 minutes when they take on Samoa in St Etienne tomorrow.

Neither country has picked up a Pool A victory at this World Cup and whereas the US have another bite of the cherry at the weekend against South Africa, Samoa are playing their final match.

The Americans performed decently against both England and Tonga in their opening two games but still slipped to 28-10 and 25-15 defeats respectively.

In both matches, they could not recover from first-half deficits and Thorburn wants to see his team start well and make the most of the chances that come their way against the injury-hit Samoans.

“In the second game, we were really tired and without much focus in the first few minutes,” said the New Zealander.

“We had 65% territory and 68% possession of the ball. But we didn’t win because our defence failed and we had some distractions at the beginning.

“This will again be a physical game and we have to be careful with their individual skills.”

The Eagles have not been blown away yet, though, and Thorburn realises that only strong performances in the World Cup will generate the kind of interest needed to see the game blossom back home.

“It’s very interesting that we have already 70,000 rugby players in the country,” he added.

“It is very strong on the West Coast, in San Diego and Los Angeles. Around Chicago, there is a lot of strength too and in Boston there are 16 clubs.

“We have an obligation to give a good performance at this World Cup so we can attract people to follow the rugby team. That is the first objective of the Eagles.

“If we can make the game known through TV, we will have many, many more.”

The US will have had a two-week gap between their second and third matches, so they should be physically ready for the challenge.

The Samoans will be desperate to go out on a high after what has been, by their standards, a disappointing tournament.

Eagles captain Mike Hercus knows what to expect.

He said: “We will have to be aware of their physicality and their strong way of making contact,” said the former Sale Sharks fly-half.

“They are very good at breaking tackles and have a good lineout. The key will be not failing in the first tackle, and disturbing their set-plays.

“And we definitely have to start better than we did in the second match.”

The three-week ban handed to Samoa centre Brian Lima for his dangerous tackle on Jonny Wilkinson during Saturday’s 44-22 defeat by England means the veteran will miss out tomorrow.

Indeed, it brings an end to the 35-year-old’s distinguished career which has seen him appear in a record five World Cups.

Coach Michael Jones, in charge of the team for the last time, replaces Lima with Sale’s Elvis Seveali’i as the Pacific Islanders look to claim their first win after defeats to South Africa, Tonga then England.

“We’re very disappointed and we’re not trying to hide that disappointment either,” said the Kiwi.

“We’re very disappointed for our Samoan people all over the world, but particularly in Samoa. We really wanted to do well for them.

“But there’s a wonderful spirit and sense of unity in the team. We’re focussing on finishing the job well.”

The Polynesians are without 12 players, and Daniel Leo (broken wrist) and Henry Tuilagi (shoulder) were added to the injury toll at the weekend.

“They’ve all been freak accidents,” added Jones. “There’ve been fractured eye sockets, broken ribs, a broken wrist – I can’t even remember them all.

“They’re just freak accidents. It’s not through over-training or under-training. You’d normally expect two or three in a World Cup but we’ve had 11. It hasn’t helped our cause.

“The best teams in the world would struggle losing guys like we have.”

Winger Lome Fa’atau and lock Leo Lafaiali’i replace David Lemi and Joe Tekori in other Samoan changes.

Thorburn has made three changes to his Eagles team, with centre Phillip Eloff, lock Hayden Mexted and number eight Fifita Mounga replacing Albert Tuipulotu, Mike Mangan and Henry Bloomfield respectively.