The Samoa Rugby Union (SRU) has Thursday confirmed the appointment of Steve Jackson as the new Head Coach of Manu Samoa.
SRU Chief Executive Faleomavaega Vincent Fepuleai announced Steve’s appointment following the SRU Board’s endorsement.
A statement said a five-person panel – chaired independently by Rev Siaosi Salesulu and made up of SRU and World Rugby representatives - recommended Steve’s appointment, following a contestable and rigorous process that attracted applications from all around the world.
Faleomavaega added that: “With Rugby World Cup less than 11 months away, SRU unyieldingly revisited its recent past decisions to ensure we got the right Leader and the coaching prowess to take our Manu Samoa to the pinnacle of Rugby Events that happens every four years. Steve has emerged from a highly competitive process, as the preferred choice for Samoa Rugby. Steve is undeniably well aware of the high expectations of a Country that desperately want results, and as a Coach, he understands the challenges as he will quickly need to rebuild support for the team.”
The new Head Coach commented: “I am honoured and privilege to be chosen as Head Coach of Manu Samoa. I know full well it comes with great responsibility. We will work hard and determined to gain the respect of the rugby world at RWC and confident we have the talent, the skills and the passion in the players to deliver this for us at RWC19.”
SRU will now begin work on helping to build a solid team of coaches and management around Steve as they prepare for a 3 match Northern Hemisphere Tour in early November. ” Faleomavaega said.
Photo supplied. Caption: New Manu Samoa Coach Steve Jackson