Lima headed to fifth World Cup
Lima headed to fifth World Cup
From correspondents in Apia, Samoa
July 12, 2007
VETERAN Samoa player Brian Lima is heading for a record fifth rugby World Cup after being included in the country's 30-strong squad named today.
Lima, popularly known as 'the Chiropractor' because of his bone-jarring tackles, has been a feature of the Samoa side, at wing or centre, for 17 years and 63 Tests.
Lima described making his fifth cup as "definitely a dream come true".
He already holds other records, such as being the youngest player at the 1991 Rugby World Cup and the only player to have scored tries in four tournaments.
"I have been waiting for the news to see if I will get selected into the World Cup squad," he said.
"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 game plan."
Samoa is pooled with South Africa, England, Tonga and the US in France, but Jones is not daunted.
"We have a big dream," he said.
"We have set our aspirations very high.
"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."
Agence France-Presse
Samoa 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 (Leicester, 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 Faatau (Glasgow Warriors, UK), Alesana Tuilaga (Leicester, UK), Gavin Williams (Ponsonby, NZ).
Coach: Michael Jones.
UK 14
NZ 7
Samoa 5
Japan 3
France 1
