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Written by Ramaz Mitaishvili   
Friday, 31 August 2007
PARIS, 31 August - Samoa coach Michael Jones (NZL) believes his side's final training camp at England's Loughborough University has been invaluable preparation for the team’s World Cup campaign. The Samoan squad arrive in Paris on Friday after almost three weeks at the prestigious sports university. Jones, a former All Black who scored the first try at the 1987 IRB Rugby World Cup, said the camp had given his team the best possible build-up.

"I have been able to do more hands-on coaching (and) it has given me a chance to fine-tune things," he said.

"We couldn't ask for a better facility to use as a base. The sports facilities are fantastic."

Jones said the camp had helped his side achieve five important goals: improving match fitness after many of the squad had not played since June; testing team combinations; cementing  selections for the first match; introducing elements of their game plan; and building team morale.

"These guys are an absolute joy to coach and this is the first time that I have been able to work with them for any length of time," he said.

"Logistically we can’t bring them all together for mini camps and when we do assemble (for Tests) we might only get them for a week.

"At least this way I’ve had them together for weeks and we have worked on our defence, attacking play and set-pieces, and defensive patterns off the lineout or scrum.

"It’s definitely a challenging job, but it’s also very rewarding because the guys play for their families and their country."

Samoa have been drawn in the same group as world champions England and highly fancied South Africa, who they play first in Paris on 9 September.
 
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