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Setback for Samoa's World Cup preparations

Samoa perform the Manu Siva Tau before 2017 All Blacks test. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

Samoa have suffered a massive setback ahead of the Rugby World Cup which begins in a little over eight months time with one of their key personnel walking away.

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High-Performance General Manager Zane Hilton has resigned and the former Melbourne Rebels assistant coach’s resignation is effective immediately.

Hilton joined Samoa in May 2018 and has aided the side’s journey during the World Cup qualification process.

Samoa certainly didn’t have a straight-forward route to the tournament, having to qualify via a playoff. They beat Germany 108-43 on aggregate in their two-legged contest.

Samoa are in Pool A and begin their World Cup campaign on September 24th against Russia in Kumagaya City.

Samoa, who were World Cup quarter-finalists in 1991 and 1995, will also face Ireland, Scotland and Japan in Pool A.

Continue reading below…
Watch: Rugby World Cup Japan city guide – Kumamoto

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The 38-year-old has not explained why he’s decided to walk away, saying: “While I know there will be disappointments, I want to thank SRU and Manu Samoa in particular, whom I’ve had the honour of working with over the last 12 months.

“I wish them all the best for the upcoming World Cup,”

In a statement, SRU CHief Executive Faleomavaega Vincent Fepulea’i revealed that Samoa and World Rugby is working in close partnership and are now in the process of reviewing the management needs of the programme and the World Cup campaign.

Last month Manu Samoa coach Steve Jackson said he wanted to use the HSBC World Seven Series to allow players to switch countries in time to qualify for the World Cup.

Players wanting to follow this route must compete in five tournaments on the current Sevens Series, which doubles as an Olympic qualifier, provided they have a passport for the second country and have completed a minimum three year stand-down period.

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Jackson told Radio New Zealand “It’s always an avenue. I think Tim Nanai-Williams is probably one of the only people I know that has done that through that avenue, and it’s a difficult one because if you’re talking to guys in Europe they’ve got to be released.

“We’ve had some guys put their hands up and say that they’d be interested but we’ve got to be very, very careful around eligibility rules and make sure that we are absolutely clear who’s available (and) what we need to do to make sure that they can get on the field for us at the Rugby World Cup if we are keen on having them in our group.”

Watch: Rugby World Cup Japan city guide – Fukuoka

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RedWarriors 24 minutes ago
Why ‘the curse of the Bambino’ is still stronger than ever at Leinster

What happenned against England in 2023: England had 14 men. Why didnt you win?


Would you have beaten Ireland and France in a quarter in 2023? NZ absolutely hammered you right?


I honestly don’t know what your issue is. Ireland get on very well with Argentinians. You seem to be a boaster and sychohant for Saffers and Kiwis. Weird. Have you any thoughts of your own?


Yes scores on the doors: RWCs 3:1 to Argentina.

Biggest win 53-7 Ireland 2021

20 Tests played: Score 14-6 to Ireland No Argentina wins in Dublin.


Its a long time since Argentina beat Ireland. 2015? That was the year NZ-Arg played in pool match 1. And France and Ireland were scheduled to play eachother 6 days before the QF. Winner gets Argentina, loser gets NZ.

No offense Carlos but France and Ireland beat the sh1te out of each other to avoid playing NZ. The match was brutal. Ireland lost Sexton, O’Brien, O’Connell (career ending injury), O’Mahony, Payne versus France.


Argentina recorded their biggest ever win against Ireland and New Zealand recorded their biggest ever win against France. Fra/Irl conceded 106 points in those quarters.

Even still Ireland fought back and couldn’t score the try to kick on and win.

Were you even old enough to watch that one.


How did Ireland and France get that brutal scheduling?


Well, those in charge of scheduling were ITV, the English RU and the NZRU. So Argentina benefitted directly from corrupt scheduling. Its not only Ireland and France who were hurt: SA were winning in the 3rd quarter versus NZ against 14 men in the semi. NZ scored in that period to win a tight match. If they get an honest test against a rested French team they probably dont win that semi.


Comparing World rankings to actual finishing place, the biggest Tier1 chokers by far in the history of RWC is NZ themselves…and two of those RWCs were at home.


No go back to licking Saffer and Kiwi ass Carlos.

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