Samoa wants £160K cut

[rowan]

It's not surprising Samoa and Tonga are pushing for more relaxed eligibility rules, similar to those which make international rugby league such a farce, given their limited domestic resources and heavy reliance on the NZ diaspora in particular. Samoa had the most foreign-born players at the 2015 World Cup (13, all NZ-born) followed by Tonga & Wales (12 apiece). Tonga only has a population of 100 K, of course, equivalent to Jersey or the Seychelles. Samoa has closer to 200 K but historically wasn't quite so obsessed with the game as its neighbours until the end of the amateur era (aka the 'shamateur' era). Indeed, they were the poor relations of the Pacific Triangle, & never even played a team from outside the Pacific Islands (& NZ Maori) until 1986, when Wales thumped them in Apia. Thus few eyebrows were raised when they were overlooked for the inaugural RWC. As recently as 1989, in fact, they toured Europe and were well-beaten by both Romania and the USSR. But the following year they qualified for the 2nd RWC, beating both Tonga & Japan in qualifying, then stunned hosts Wales at the tournament itself, as well as thumping Argentina and giving subsequent champs Australia about their toughest game. But they did so with a team that could have just about passed for New Zealand B. I think what we have seen with Samoa and Tonga in recent years is not so much a 'slump' as a reversion to type under tighter, more creditable eligibility laws.

[rowan]

Not a fan of knighthoods, people being given special titles, or citizens of ex-colonies receiving honours from British royalty at all, but if there is to be an honours list, this fellow certainly deserves his, given he broke the mould not only in terms of being the first Samoan All Blacks super star, but also by being the first non-white player to go to South Africa and make a big impression against the Springboks, which he did in 1970 as a teenager, scoring 14 tries in 13 games.

One of the newest Knights Companions of the New Zealand Order of Merit, former All Black Sir Bryan Williams, has admitted he thought about not accepting the honour.

https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/sport/r ... knighthood

[rowan]

Fuimaono-Sapolu's at it again

Youll find loads of ballers do it. Heaps in super rugby including some of your favourite All Blacks. One beer has close to the same fat content as a big mac. Cocaine has zero. Dudes want the high without the fat.

Full story here: http://sobserver.ws/en/03_01_2018/sport ... ono-Sapolu

[rowan]

A former Manu Samoa Sevens player, national Coach Sir Gordon Tietjens and four other Samoan players have been caught in the middle of a brewing controversy involving New Zealand Rugby.

According to an investigation carried out by The NZ Herald, Danny Kayes was among players the New Zealand Rugby Union was threatening to ban from next week's New Zealand national sevens tournament in Rotorua over his connections to Samoa.

The of Bay of Plenty born Kayes, who is a Civil Engineer by profession, objected and threatened to take legal action.

"I am about as BOP as they get — the fact that I have been denied to represent my province is a kick in the guts and it doesn't seem right," Kayes reportedly told New Zealand Rugby.

Kayes, whose mother is Samoan, played four tournaments for Samoa early last year but is not among their newly contracted 22 sevens players.

The 23-year-old pointed out to NZ Rugby he was born in Tauranga and had lived in Papamoa most of his life.

Story continues here: http://sobserver.ws/en/05_01_2018/rugby ... effort.htm

[rowan]

Fuimaono-Sapolu's at it again

Youll find loads of ballers do it. Heaps in super rugby including some of your favourite All Blacks. One beer has close to the same fat content as a big mac. Cocaine has zero. Dudes want the high without the fat.

Full story here: http://sobserver.ws/en/03_01_2018/sport ... ono-Sapolu

Latest, including video interview: http://www.sobserver.ws/en/09_01_2018/l ... -claim.htm

[scuzzaman]

Fuimaono-Sapolu's at it again

Youll find loads of ballers do it. Heaps in super rugby including some of your favourite All Blacks. One beer has close to the same fat content as a big mac. Cocaine has zero. Dudes want the high without the fat.

Full story here: http://sobserver.ws/en/03_01_2018/sport ... ono-Sapolu

Latest, including video interview: http://www.sobserver.ws/en/09_01_2018/l ... -claim.htm

Thing is, he's talking crap. Beer has almost no fat (many beers have zero) and on average about 7 grams of carbs and maybe 1 of protein. Unless you're lazy (no professional rugby player should be, Lauaki pieman notwithstanding, and therefore) these carbs being converted to sugar and stored as fat ought not to be a problem either.

Problems with beer occur due to (1) over-indulgence (no professional rugby player etc ...) and (2) lack of exercise (no professional rugby player etc ... )

People do coke because it feels good.

Why they need it to feel good varies massively depending on personality, character, genetics, upbringing, circumstances, trauma, mental stability, etc.

Taking advice on substance abuse from a rugby player is about as sensible as taking advice on geopolitics from a Hollywood celebrity.

[rowan]

Agreed. Fuimaono-Sapolu is a smart guy but seems to revel in making outlandish comments that are guaranteed to hit the headlines - at least, in rugby terms. I suspect he only wants to elevate his own profile, for whatever reason.

[rowan]

China coming to Samoa's rescue:

The Samoa Rugby Union (S.R.U.) hosted the Chief Executive Officer of China Rugby Football Association (C.R.F.A.), Jack Lau and his delegation in Apia this week.

It follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two parties recently in Beijing.

Chairman of Samoa Rugby Union and Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Dr. Sa’ilele Malielegaoi said the announcement of the M.O.U. was delayed to coincide with the first official visit by the C.R.F.A. officials.

“The M.O.U. between S.R.U. and C.R.F.A. represents the continuous close relationship between China and Samoa.

“Amongst China’s immense contribution in Samoa includes assistance in our sports facilities and naturally this has extended our mutual partnership with close establishment of means to both explore and share resources and commercial opportunities through the sport of rugby.”

As part of the M.O.U., S.R.U. will aid through our Manu Samoa Sevens and XVs programme to promote the sport in China and also provide an environment for C.F.R.A. teams to visit and learn from local teams and competitions on island.

http://www.sobserver.ws/en/11_01_2018/l ... ctions.htm

Ambassador's comments: http://www.sobserver.ws/en/12_01_2018/l ... r-says.htm

[rowan]

This'll keep them happy. The tala is worth about one third of a US dollar:

Samoa Rugby Union has been given a $1 million sponsorship boost with the Grey Investment Group announcing their support.

The declaration was made by Prime Minister and chairman of the Samoa Rugby Union Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi and Marina Grey, mother of Lupesina Fred Grey, Director Aggie Grey Investment Ltd during a press conference at the Prime Minister’s office.

“Today the Grey Investment Group has invested in the S.R.U. similar to assistance provided by Digicel and Blue Sky and in return we should also provide good results,” said Tuilaepa.

He said exemplary results by the team will also promote the businesses who are investing in the S.R.U.

The G.I.G. was once chaired by Late La’auli Alan Grey, who has been affectionately called “father of Samoan rugby”, given his influence in the game in Samoa and the Pacific region.

“I want to thank the Late La’auli for his continued assistance. Many of our people are not aware the finances required to carry on one’s rugby team. I am not aware whether we have received our million tala assistance but that will do for now. However, more can come later,” added the PM.

http://www.sobserver.ws/en/01_07_2018/l ... -boost.htm

[rowan]

Obviously they've decided the man who got them to the World Cup isn't good enough to take them there . . .

The coaching position for the Manu Samoa XV is vacant. The Samoa Rugby Union has decided to advertise the position following a Board meeting.

This was confirmed in a statement issued today. It reads:

The immediate future of the Manu Samoa XVs programme was decided in a Samoa Rugby Union meeting of the Board.

The Board has decided to re-advertise the position of Manu Samoa Head Coach currently under the Leadership of Fuimaono Titimaea Tafua.

http://www.sobserver.ws/en/27_08_2018/r ... rtised.htm

[rowan]

World Rugby has urged Samoa Rugby Union (S.R.U.) to urgently find a suitable replacement for the Manu Samoa 15's head coach position and recruit high level technical advisors for the Rugby World Cup campaign.

This was revealed in a letter dated August 23, 2018 by World Rugby general manager of high performance, Peter Horne which was addressed to the S.R.U. C.E.O. Faleomavaega Vincent Fepulea’i.

The sport’s governing body has also offered to subsidise the recruitment of a head coach and technical advisers for the S.R.U. but under certain conditions, including the panel’s recommendations of the preferred candidate for the head coach to be endorsed and supported by the S.R.U.

World Rugby is also supportive of the move by the S.R.U. for a suitable replacement for the head coach, the letter indicated.

“I write with reference to our recent discussion on the above roles (head coach and general manager of H.P.U.) with your union’s H.P. programme."

“I understand that the recent annual review revealed that Zane Hilton is over-extended combining his general manager role with coaching support for the head coach, (Fuimaono) Titimaea Tafu, which is detrimentally effecting H.P. programmer operations.”

Repeated efforts to get comments from Fuimaono, including a visit to his residence have been unsuccessful as of press time.

“Further, the need for Zane to provide coaching support has come about due to the deficiencies in the elite coaching ability of the head coach,” the letter added.

http://www.sobserver.ws/en/30_08_2018/l ... s-hand.htm

[rowan]

Blues coach? That sounds promising

Fuimaono Titimaea Tafua will not take the Manu Samoa to the World Cup in Japan next year, despite coaching the team through the qualification rounds.

The Samoa Rugby Union is instead se to name former Auckland Blues Assistant, Steve Jackson, as the new coach.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Samoa Rugby Union, Faleomavaega Vincent Fepulea'i, has reportedly confirmed the appointment.

He is quoted by RNZI as saying that more than 40 people applied for the position from all over the world including South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

http://www.sobserver.ws/en/20_09_2018/r ... -coach.htm