Got the win though, and realistically what more can you expect? The island teams are strong, fit and are going to run hard and be physical all day. I doubt any team ranked say 50 - 100 in the world is going to be able to play attractive football against that sort of opposition.
Rubbish. It's that sort of thinking which leads us to ignore playing football and then get embarrassed at major tournaments.
Tonight I watched a West's team of 15/16 year olds walk all over the Samoa U16's by playing proper football.
Yes it's the middle of winter and yes they are a few years younger but although the Samoan boys were fast, strong and physical they couldn't get near the ball.
I'd say the possession stats were probably 90% to West's.
How would they go in Taihiti in 35 degree heat, against Taihiti U16s, on a bumpy pitch?
You just can’t compare Samoa/Tonga to the better Island Nations, nor mid winter NZ to unbearably hot and humid.
Actually I’d like to see Declan take a team to the Islands, and try play possession football. If he can coach a team to play with style and win there, would be a very interesting litmus test.