Rugby in Samoa
Editor
Samoa as a Pacific Islands Country was the subject of many a contest during the later part of the 1800s between competing European powers and under the Treaty of Berlin concessions were made and Samoa was split between Germany and the United States.

In 1914, German Samoa was taken by the allies in what was the very first victory in World War One and in 1919, Samoa was mandated to New Zealand under the Treaty of Versailles.

The territory of American Samoa, with it's strategic deep water port is very much American.

And so this has lead to both Samoas being very good at two very different types of football.

American Samoans are very popular and famous in the United States for their prowess in American Football, and their cousins excel in playing Rugby Union.

It would be fair to say that Rugby Union in Samoa is very much the national sport.

Formerly known as Western Samoa, Samoa can now lay claim to its sons playing Rugby in many parts of the world, often for clubs and provincial teams, some even making national sides such as the All Blacks of New Zealand.

But Samoa has it's own team, known as Manu Samoa and since announcing it's arrival at the 1991 World Cup with a quarter final placing after beating Wales and Argentina and running eventual winners Austrlia very close, the Samoan Rugby Team has had many challenges to maintain a base of players who will be available to put on the blue jersey and play for the Country and the People.

For the history of Samoan Rugby facts, figures and results, please see results: results

Press Release

Fact Sheet – Samoa Rugby Union (SRU)

May 2007

Samoan Rugby


The Manu Samoa team

The national rugby union team of Samoa is called Manu Samoa (the name of a
famous Samoan chief some 10 generations ago). They perform a traditional Samoan
dance called the ‘siva tau’ before each game.

They are members of the Pacific Island Rugby Alliance (PIRA) along with Fiji and Tonga.
Currently ranked 11th in the world, the Manu Samoa are wholly owned by the
Samoan Rugby Union.

Wearing blue jerseys and white shorts provided by primary sponsor, PUMA, the Manu
Samoa players are renowned for their hard-tackling, toughness and will to win. For
such a small nation, Samoa has produced a remarkable number of top-class
players who have gone on to find fame in both Rugby Union and Rugby League.


Rugby was introduced to Samoa in the early 1920’s and a governing body was soon
formed. The first international was played as Western Samoa against Fiji in August,
1924.

Alongside Tonga, these nations would meet regularly and eventually contest
competitions such as the Pacific Tri-Nations - with Western Samoa winning the
first of these.

Samoa has competed in every Rugby World Cup since the 1991tournament.

In both the 1991 and 1995 Rugby World Cup, Samoa made the quarterfinals.

Under coach and former New Zealand All Blacks legend Michael Jones (himself of
Samoan descent and a Samoan international) Samoan rugby is working hard to
develop a side that will compete effectively in the 2007 World Cup where Samoa is
grouped with England, South Africa, the United States, and Pacific rivals, Tonga.

The 2007 World Cup Manu Samoa squad will comprise of a mix of Samoan-based
players and Samoan professionals from offshore, proving tough to beat.

New Zealand coach Gordon Tietjens believes Samoa’s success at the Hong Kong
Sevens was partly due to the local talent. “I think it's because of the island-based
players they're picking now. They're a pretty tight-knit group, they play for each
other, they've got the passion that's needed to play in a good sevens team and
they'll be tough to beat here in Adelaide”.

Samoan rugby 2007 achievements

Recent form of the Samoan teams has been outstanding, providing a great start to
2007.

The Samoa 7’s team triumphed against rivals Fiji, 27–22 at the IRB Sevens World
Series in Hong Kong. In taking the Hong Kong crown the team became the only side
this year to win two Cup titles in the IRB Sevens World Series, a feat not lost on New
Zealand coach Gordon Tietjens. "Samoa was quite outstanding in Hong Kong,"
Tietjens said.

Provincial side, Upolu Samoa was crowned Pacific Rugby Cup champions,
defeating favourites Tau’uta Reds 35–15. Making its debut last year, the Pacific
Rugby Cup gave high-quality, entertaining rugby.

Samoa claimed seventh place in Division A at the IRB Under-19 World
Championship 2007, defeating Argentina 13-12. The seventh place finish for
Samoa is an improvement from last year, when they were placed 10th on their
Division A debut.

With island-based players underpinning the successes in the Pacific Rugby Cup, IRB
Sevens World Series and the IRB Under 19 World Championship, plus a hoard of
players excelling at the highest levels abroad, Michael Jones, Samoa Coach believes
he has the talent at his disposal to cause a stir in France.

“We have got to believe that we can do the impossible on our day,” said Michael
Jones, Samoa Coach.

The Samoan 7’s team is currently ranked 2nd, and the Samoan 15’s ranked 11th in
the world.


Preparation for the IRB World Cup

Su’a Peter Schuster, Acting Samoan Rugby Union CEO said, “2007 signifies an
exciting year for Samoa rugby, with the impeding Rugby World Cup to be staged in
France from 7 September, 2007.”

A long-standing and internationally recognised event, the tournament will provide
the Samoan team with the opportunity to go up against the larger nations in the
rugby world and demonstrate their power, pace and precision.

Tournaments such as the IRB Sevens World Series, the Pacific Rugby Cup and the
IRB Pacific Nations Cup have provided the perfect opportunity to prepare for the
lead-up to the 2007 World Cup.

Preparation in the lead-up to the most important tournament of the year has been
progressive and includes a ‘Development Tour’ of South Africa and Australia; a
northern hemisphere camp; the Pacific Nations Cup and a South Africa Test; plus
specialised training programs in the months that precede the 2007 World Cup.

Former All Black and the Samoan Coach, Michael Jones brings with him a wealth of
experience, a belief in the Samoan people, and a fierce desire to undertake the
challenge this season holds. “We have always had potential, as a nation and as a
people, so we know that if we can get it right on our day anything can happen and
we are still firm believers in the David and Goliath analogy. We believe that we
can slay a giant on our day”, said Michael Jones, Samoa Coach.

World Cup record

An exciting force in world rugby, the Samoan team has played twelve matches in the
Rugby World Cup and won six - an impressive record for a second-tier rugby
nation.

Their most famous victory came in their first ever Rugby World Cup match in 1991
when, as rank outsiders, they defeated the mighty Wales at the very home of Welsh
Rugby, Cardiff Arms Park. Some say Welsh rugby is still trying to recover from the
shock.

But the victory just shows the character, courage and athleticism of this
remarkable island nation in the Pacific, whose achievements in the fifteen-man game
have far overshadowed their more illustrious neighbours – Fiji.

Put simply, Samoa can never be regarded as a soft prospect by any opponent.

Year(s) Result

1991 Qualified. Quarter-finals.
1995 Qualified. Quarter-finals.
1999 Qualified. Pool stage.
2003 Qualified. Pool stage.
2007 Qualified.

Vision of Samoan rugby

Preparing players for winning performances at the 2007 and 2011 World Cup is
the Samoan Rugby Union’s bigger vision.

Samoa Rugby Union 6
Ultimately, the SRU wants to see the team reach the semi-finals in the IRB Rugby
World Cup, 2011, New Zealand.

An intensely loyal and passionate team, the Manu Samoa always looks “To put our
country first in order to bring glory to our people”, said Su’a Peter Schuster, Acting
SRU CEO.

Development programmes and Samoan rugby’s growth

The Samoan Rugby Union’s (SRU) High Performance Unit (HPU) is a dedicated
program that provides a best-practice environment for players, coaches and
referees alike.

Su’a Peter Schuster, Acting SRU CEO said, “Grass roots development will bring future
stars. The HPU is the home of Samoan rugby’s Licenced Training Centre, and
provides an elite sporting pathway for our talented players.”

The Licenced Training Centre offers innovative training programs and training
concepts, access to strength and conditioning facilities, a coordinated daily training
environment, sports science and sports medicine support, as well as insurance and
financial support for players, coaches and referees.

Overseen by a professional administrative and managerial structure, the programs
are designed to help sustain international success and counter the challenging
conditions competing in the world rugby arena. The programs provide a pathway for
Samoa’s most talented players to achieve their potential.

“In offering an elite sporting pathway, the HPU connects youth, schoolboy rugby and
national age-grade teams so that players can better prepare for Samoa A and the
Pacific Rugby Cup, and reach the Samoan rugby premier teams – the Manu Samoa
and the Samoa 7’s teams.” said Peter Horne, HPU Manager.

Up to 30 full-time and 7 associate scholarships are available, with an open-door
policy for national team players currently selected and also coaches during allocated
camp periods.

The HPU began operating in February, 2006. The Licenced Training Centre was
established last year, in September, 2006.

Manu Samoa’s key sponsors

Samoan rugby has 13 sponsorships arrangements with successful local and global
brands. They include:

Major Sponsors:

1. Aggie Greys Hotels
2. Computer Services Limited (CSL)
3. Emirates
4. Hyundai
5. PUMA
6. Samoan International Finance Authority (SIFA)
7. SamoaTel
8. Vailima Breweries

Associated Sponsors:

9. Apia Bottling
10. Apia Rentals


Partners:

11. Hotel Kitano Samoa
12. Reef Shipping
13. Westpac Bank Samoa Ltd

The new Manu Samoa uniform – and its unique design - was launched 17 May, 2007
with major sponsor, PUMA.

Warwick Mitchell, Managing Director of PUMA Australasia,
said, “I could feel a strong fit with our mutual values and aspirations.”
Warwick Mitchell said, “Samoa will be the first ever team sponsored by PUMA at a
Rugby World Cup.”

Leadership of the Manu Samoa

Former coach of the groundbreaking 1991 and 1995 World Cup teams, Su’a Peter
Schuster is the Acting CEO for the Samoan Rugby Union, whose aim is to pave the
way for Samoan rugby.

Head Coach and former New Zealand All Blacks legend Michael Jones is focused on
developing a side that can produce high-quality rugby when up against the larger
nations in the rugby world.

Rugby in Samoa

Samoa is something of a Rugby World Cup specialist having qualified for the last
three Rugby World Cups and reached the Quarter Finals twice (in 1991 and 1995).
Rugby in Samoa is part of the very lifeblood of the country. Some would say
rugby is a ‘second religion’. With a population of just under 200,000, Samoan rugby
has had an incredible record of success.

Indeed Samoa is unquestionably one of the most fertile breeding grounds on the
planet for raw rugby talent, and the islanders' influence can be felt in club,
provincial and even national teams around the world.

These include a number of players who have represented both Samoa and the
famous All Blacks including John Schuster and Va'aiga Tuigamala (who have
played both Rugby League and Rugby Union for Samoa and New Zealand), Michael
Jones (now Coach of Samoa) and Stephen Bachop. John Schuster was an
exceptional triple-international who represented Samoa in soccer, rugby and rugby
league.

Others who have played for Samoa and gone on to represent the All Blacks include,
Frank Bunce, Alama Ieremia, Junior Tonuu, Dylan Mika, Pat Lam and Andrew
Blowers.

About Samoa

Quick Facts:

Population approximately 183,000

Surface area covers 2,944 square km

GDP (2006) approximately $360 million USD

Principal export destinations: Australia (65%), US (8%), American Samoa (4%)
Principal import destinations: New Zealand (21%), Fiji (20%), Singapore
(12%), and Australia (8%)
Economy derived from agricultural exports (coconut cream, coconut oil, fish,
noni juice, and copra), development aid, family remittances from overseas,
and tourism (an expanding sector, aided by the 2005 launch of Polynesian
Blue, a joint-venture between the Samoan government and Virgin Airlines)

Other:

The Independent state of Samoa consists of two main islands, Savaii and
Upolu and two small islands, Apolima and Manono, plus five uninhabited
islands. Located on the westerly end of the Samoa Archipelago, it is halfway
between Hawaii and New Zealand.

The famous writer Robert Louis Stevenson (“The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll
and Mr. Hyde”, “Treasure Island”) brought his family to live on Upolu in 1890
and built a large home in the foothills above Apia, where he spent the last five
years of his life.

Samoans are the largest group of full blooded Polynesians in the world and
have retained much of their ancient tradition and culture.

Traditional tattooing is an intricate ancient art of Samoa and young Samoan
males are tattooed with complex symbols designs, from the lower chest to the
knees.

Samoan (Polynesian) is the native language, however English is widely
spoken.

The islands were first settled about 3,000 years ago and are accepted as the
heart of the Polynesian culture.

In 1768, French navigator Louis de Bougainville sighted Samoa and called
them “The Navigator Islands”, because of the many Samoans sailing small
canoes far from the sight of land.

During the 18th century vast plantation producing copra and cotton were
developed for export and the capital, Apia became a major commercial centre
in the South Pacific.

Annexed by Germany from 1899-1914, and then New Zealand from 1914
(after WW1) until independence in 1962, Western Samoa finally gained selfgovernment
in 1962.

Beautiful fauna and flora are found on both islands. Savaii particularly, has
lush tropical rainforests housing many fascinating and exotic bird species.

Attractions include Robert Louis Stevenson’s home in Apia - now a
magnificent museum - the Tiavi Falls, the O Le Pupu Pu’e national park, and
Papaseea with its carved sliding rocks and pools beneath.

Samoa has proved to be one of the last undiscovered frontiers for wonderful,
uncrowded diving. With warm, clear waters offering visibility of between 15
and 50 metres and temperatures ranging from 25-30 degrees Celsius, a wet
suit is not required.