Samoa coach Michael Jones has selected veteran centre/wing Brian Lima for his fifth Rugby World Cup.
Lima, who has been nicknamed ‘The Chiropractor’ for his bone-shuddering tackling, will win his 64th Test cap when he next plays, from an international career now spanning an astonishing 17 years.
It will be a record fifth successive RWC tournament, and he also has the opportunity to extend his record of being the only man to score at four World Cups.
He already holds the record for being the youngest player at a World Cup, at 19 years and 255 days in 1991 when Samoa famously beat Wales 16-13 in Cardiff.
“I have been waiting for the news to see if I will get selected into the World Cup squad,” he said to AFP.
“I’m happy to be the first player to record five World Cups.
“This is a great achievement not just for me, but for all of Samoa and for all young players dreaming of becoming a Manu Samoa player.”
Samoa coach Michael Jones said Lima was always part of his World Cup plans, and that it would have been difficult to leave him out given the form he showed during the recent Pacific Six Nations Cup.
“We have picked the squad on form and it’s also a team we have been shaping for the last four years,” Jones said.
“It’s very important to pick players we believe can play our gameplan.”
“We have a big dream, and we have set our aspirations very high,” continued Jones as he sized up a Rugby World Cup pool including South Africa, England, and Georgia, with England a possible weak link the Samoans can exploit.
“The first step is to make the quarters. I believe we can get there, but we definitely want to take it another step and make the semis, and then to the finals, but it’s a big dream.
“I believe we can make it.”
Samoa Rugby World Cup squad:
Forwards: Census Johnston (Saracens, UK), Justin Va’a (Glasgow Warriors, UK), Kasiano Lealamajua (Dax, France), Donald Kerslake (Vaiala, Samoa), Mahonri Schwalger (Hurricanes, NZ), Muliufi Salanoa (Scopa, Samoa), Silao Vaisolasefo (Alhambra, NZ), Filipo Levi (Ricoh, Japan), Kane Thompson (Wests, NZ), Iosefa Fekori (Auckland, NZ), Daniel Leo (London Wasps, UK), Henry Tuilagi (UK), Siu Lafaialii (Yokogawa, Japan), Semo Setiti (Docomo, Japan), Ulia Ulia (Marist, Samoa), Justin Purdie (Wellington, NZ).
Backs: Steven So’oialo (Harlequins, UK), Junior Poluleuligaga (North Harbour, NZ), Loki Crichton (Worcester, UK), Lolo Lui (Moataa, Samoa), Seilala Mapusua (London Irish, UK), Eliota Sapolu Fuimaono (Bath, UK), Jerry Meafou (Scopa, Samoa), Elvis Sevealii (Sale, UK), Anitelea Tuilagi (Leeds Tykes, UK), Brian Lima (Bristol, UK), David Lemi (Bristol, UK), Lome Fa’atau (Glasgow Warriors, UK), Alesana Tuilagi (Leicester, UK), Gavin Williams (Ponsonby, NZ).
Caption: The Chiropractor Brian Lima (right) does the siva tau behind skipper Semo Sititi
1 Comment
Tuesday, July 17, 2007 at 11.49am07
Great to have players like Lima having a constant great spectacle in his tackles in the last four. Maybe his tackles won’t be as bone jarring when he debuted in 1991 but his warrior spirit in dying for the blue jersey will sure be evident I am sure.