Former captain Semo Sititi is backing Samoa to make the knockout rounds at Rugby World Cup.
Former Manu Samoa international and current Samoa Under 20 coach Semo Sititi. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The Manu made the last eight at the 1991 and 1995 tournaments but have been knocked out in the group stages at the past three events.
Semo Sititi played in three World Cups - captaining the team in 2007.
He says the Samoa squad has a good balance and no off-field distractions this time around so to not make the top eight would probably be a failure.
"I would say so because it's important, the sponsorship will start to come in if we perform well. If we're winning games we've got a massive, big, chance to make it to the quarter finals. South Africa probably is our toughest game but we also have Scotland and Japan. Of course we don't think the boys will underestimate any games - plus we've got good people now is Samoa: they appointed a new CEO - that is really good at sponsorship stuff - and all the hassles [between players and the Union] are done in the past".
Samoa open their Rugby World Cup campaign against the United States a week from now.
The Manu Samoa team at their Rugby World Cup welcoming ceremony at the Royal Pavilion in Brighton. Photo: AFP
