Samoa Rugby

Fuimaono was the head coach for Manu Samoa from 2009 until 2011 Rugby World Cup.

He takes over from former coach, Namulauulu Alama Ieremia.

Namulauulu resigned after a year in the job when the team produced poor results.

Manu Samoa also missed out on qualifying for the World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup and the World Cup.

Fuimaono aims to lead Manu Samoa on its Northern Hemisphere tour in November and qualification for the Rugby World Cup 2019 in Tokyo.

The 38-16 loss at Apia Park, Samoa's fourth successive test defeat, reduced them to 16th in the world rankings, their lowest position since the index was introduced in 2003.

Head coach Alama Ieremia said everyone was hurting and he accepted that all results, good or bad, ultimately came back to him.

"I'm the head coach so I take full responsibility for anything that happens in the campaign so I've got no issues with that," he said.

Speaking to SUN sports yesterday Flying Fijians head coach John McKee said they are aware of areas Samoa would come in very strongly.

“We expect them to be very strong in the forwards, so our forwards will need to be stronger to contain them,” he said.

“Our defence around the rucks need to be strong so we can stop them before they reach the advantage line. They also have a very good backline so we have threats all over the place as such our defence has got to be very good.”

McKee said they need to execute their chances better than what they did against Tonga.

The tournament, which also involves Fiji, doubles as a qualifier for the World Cup with the combined 2016 and 2017 results deciding which two teams from the region win automatic berths in Japan in 2019.

It was the first test Tonga have hosted in eight years and drew a crowd of around 10,000 at the newly-refurbished Teufaiva Stadium in the Tongan capital.

Tongan halfback Sonatane Takulua scored all of his side's points in the second half with a converted try and a penalty as they built on their 20-16 lead at the break to hold off a late charge from the Samoans.

The 27-year-old will start at fullback, with David Halaifonua moved to the right wing, Nafi Tuitivake shifted to centre and captain Siale Piutau selected at second five, in place of Viliami Tahitu'a.

Super Rugby duo Siegfried Fisi'ihoi and Siua Halanukonuka also get a start in a beefed up front row, replacing Ben Tameifuna and Latu Talakai, for the opening match of the Pacific Nations Cup, which doubles as a Rugby World Cup qualifier.

Former Blues flanker Jack Ram has been named on the bench, after missing the 24-6 defeat by Wales two weeks ago through injury.

Action at Twickenham Stadium is due to begin tomorrow and conclude on Sunday (May 21).

The final spot at the 2018 Rugby Sevens World Cup in San Francisco in the US will go to either the Samoans or Russia, with the Pacific islanders 21 points ahead of their rivals.

Russia can draw level but would need to win the tournament to gain 22 series points, which would be their first ever victory.

New Zealand, England, Fiji, Kenya, South Africa, Wales, Australia, and France as well as the hosts have already qualified.

World Rugby increased the residential requirement for players to represent a national team from three years to five years.

Vice Chairman Agustín Pichot hoped it would put an end to top talent being plucked from smaller nations.

The Chief Executive Officer of Samoa Rugby Faleomavaega Vincent Fepulea'i said it is a great step.

"We've endorsed that in our recommendations over to council through Oceania to take our views over across from Samoa's point of view and we are pleased that it's been done. I think it is a good thing for us," Faleomavaega said.

The Baby Manu were thrashed 80-23 by New Zealand on Tuesday, having been outclassed 43-20 by hosts Australia on the Gold Coast last weekend.

Samoa coach Junior Leota said they have worked hard in training but need to replicate that effort come game-time.

"The coaching staff and management have done all we can do off the field to prepare these boys well but obviously if these boys don't do their homework on the position and don't front up mentally that's the sort of result we're going to get (like the first two games)."

The 23-year-old Auckland-born wing has been included in Eddie Jones' England squad only months after walking out on his rugby league contract with the Castleford Tigers to join English rugby union premiership club Sale last November.

Solomona has scored 11 tries in his first 13 matches for Manchester-based Sale after crossing the white chalk 42 times for Castleford in the last Super League season and he has been snapped by England after meeting the three-year residency requirements.

The 29-year-old centre, who is in England coach Wayne Bennett's 30-strong elite training squad, has missed the Giants' last three matches and is due to undergo further scans on Friday to ascertain the full extent of his injury.

Bennett will announce his squad for the May 6 Test on Monday and Huddersfield coach Rick Stone does not expect his captain to be included.