Manu Samoa

A few Samoan players sick and injured

Head coach Seilala Mapusua says they are closely monitoring these players and hoping they recover on time for their showdown against the Fijians.

A win for Samoa would see them secure the PNC title and remain unbeaten.

However, Mapusua says they are not focused on winning the title but being clinical during their training.

We’ll be playing the whole of Fiji: Samoa coach Mapusua

Samoa is the only unbeaten side in the competition following two great come-from-behind wins against Australia A and Tonga.

This weekend they’ll take on the Flying Fijians and Samoa Head Coach Seilala Mapusua believes they’re heading in the right direction.

The former Highlanders and Manu Samoa center says they’ll face more than just the Flying Fijians this weekend.

“I expect it to go up a few levels, we will be playing the whole of Fiji with the crowd and we expecting a proper Test match”.

Manu Samoa expects a tough showdown against Tonga

Coach Seilala Mapusua said some of the Ikale Tahi players featured alongside his men for Moana Pasifika so they are familiar with how they play.

He said Tonga will be coming out stronger especially after losing to the Flying Fijians in the first Test.

“We expect Tonga to be really strong. They’ve got some good players in their squad now and they’re well-coached by their coaching staff so we expect a really strong battle.”

Beautiful Samoa announced as official partner of Manu Samoa

The iconic Manu Samoa is taking part in the fifteenth edition of the tournament, the first in 2 years due to the Pandemic and Samoa Tourism Authority (STA) is thrilled to support the national team.

The partnership will see the ‘Beautiful Samoa’ logo and the ‘Reopening 1st August’ message displayed on the team's playing jersey and training kits, putting the destination front and centre at the region’s premiere tournament.

The partnership announcement comes as Samoa prepares to reopen its borders to international visitors on 1st August.

Manu Samoa out to give their best against the Aussies

Coach Seilala Mapusua said the players are aware of the huge responsibility that rests upon their shoulders when they don the blue jersey.

“Every time they put on that jersey, they know they have a responsibility. And I’m sure they will be giving it everything because we have all the good players waiting on the wings to get an opportunity.”

Mapusua added they are aware of the tough competition they will be up against when they face the Aussies.

Ala’alatoa keen to play alongside Moana Pasifika players in PNC opener

Captain Michael Ala’alatoa said he is happy to see most of the Moana Pasifika players in the starting line-up.

“I’m really excited to see a couple of players from Moana that will make their debut and I’m really excited to see what they bring. Obviously the experience of Fritz Lee and Taefu.”

Samoa is also aiming to be more physical in the game against the Aussies and other matches in the tournament in Fiji.

Manu Samoa assembles mix of experienced and debutants for Australia clash

Coach, Seilala Mapusua said, “There’s a few debutants. We have a good mix of experience players and new players and this is their chance to put their hands up for the bigger picture, the world cup. This week we are really focusing on the Australia A team, we know they have a lot of experience.”

Samoa has named eight debutants in the line-up against the Aussies.

Mapusua said they are aware of their tough opponents but are also confident of a strong outing.

Manu Samoa squad:

Three players yet to join Manu Samoa for Pacific Nations Cup

Head Coach, Seilala Mapusua said the three players will be flying in from America.

“We still have other players arriving this week and we are trying to keep it simple as possible.”

“At the moment we have three players in the major rugby league final in USA.”

The players are Kalolo and Ed Fidow for New York and AJ Alatimu for Seattle.

Samoa will be taking on Australia A at the ANZ Stadium in Suva at 1pm (Fiji Time).

     

Manu Samoa’s Ala’atoa gears up for his first PNC

The 30-year-old is expecting a tough encounter in the upcoming games of the tournament.

“This will my first Pacific Nations Cup and I know it will be tough going up against the Australian side this Saturday. I know they will be fielding a lot of big names for the game, and even the Fiji side too and Tonga as well, but I am confident we are going to give our best during the games,” Ala’alatoa said.

The former Crusaders player said the tournament is also a good opportunity to catch up and play against his former teammate, Manasa Mata’ele of the Flying Fijians side.

Aki Seiuli debuts for Samoa at the Pacific Nations Cup

The 29-year-old loosehead has been selected in the squad to take on Australia A, Tonga and hosts Fiji in July.

The prop, who was born and raised in New Zealand, was approached by Samoa ahead of the 2019 World Cup but opted out because he was on the comeback trail from a knee injury and was heading for Glasgow.

Last summer he could not play against the Maori All Blacks or Tonga because of coronavirus travel restrictions and then he came agonisingly close to an appearance last December.