Manu Samoa

Twelve players to debut for Manu Samoa at Pacific Nations Cup

With Manu Samoa already qualified to play in next year's World Cup, the Pacific Nations Cup serves as a venue for Head Coach Vaovasamanaia Seilala Mapusua to assess the new roster.

"I'm really excited at the prospect and potential of these group of players", said Vaovasamanaia.

"We have some real experience in there and we also have some young up and coming players that are full of enthusiasm and who will add a lot to this team."

'I'm hoping, for Samoa's sake, that he puts his hand up': Lealiifano wanted by Samoan star

A veteran of 26 tests for the Wallabies, Lealiifano’s test career ended three years ago after Australia were knocked out of the 2019 World Cup by England.

Since then, the 34-year-old hasn’t been called upon by Wallabies head coach Dave Rennie, who has instead opted for a first-five contingent of Quade Cooper, James O’Connor and Noah Lolesio since taking charge of Australia in 2020.

However, Lealiifano’s services may still be of use for Manu Samoa, who he will soon be free to play for following World Rugby’s change of eligibility laws.

Blitzboks stumble as Samoa fly

The Blitzboks started brightly when Mfundo Ndhlovu crossed the try line after two minutes, but Terry Kennedy drew Ireland level before a stunning try starting on the Irish try line and ending with Jack Kelly sprinting under the posts from halfway turned the game on its head.

South Africa captain Siviwe Soyizwapi showed superb footwork to cross and get his side back into it, but a second try from the Series’ leading scorer Kennedy, his 34th in 36 matches this season, sealed a historic Irish win.

Sevens teams back in series play

Manu Samoa had been due to play in the last two legs in Spain in January, but had to withdraw late due to Covid-19.

The first squad back in the series features nine debutants.

Samoa are in Pool B with Australia, England and Spain.

Meanwhile, the return of Jerry Tuwai at the Singapore Sevens is a boost for Fiji.

Head Coach Ben Gollings was also eager to test out some of the young guns like Filipo Bukayaro.

Fiji are paired with Ireland, France and Japan in their pool.

 

Families of Manu Samoa 7s players rally behind sons

Allegations of bullying and mistreatment were detailed in a letter sent by the Manu Samoa Sevens Team to the Pacific Rugby Players Association.

The families' spokeman, Henry Gray, told Radio Polynesia the details of the allegations. He said that the examples of bullying provided by the team were very hard for the players' family members to read.

Lakapi Samoa CEO, Faleomavaega Vincent Fepulea'i, said that it is conducting its own investigation and a sub-committee has been appointed to investigate the matter and report back urgently.

Samoa rugby chief surprised by complaints from players

The Manu Samoa Sevens players are calling for an investigation into their coaching personnel for creating an environment of intimidation.

But the Samoa rugby union's Vincent Fepulea'i said the accusation by the players is "news" to him.

Fepulea'i said there are quite a lot of issues that have been brought up and Lakapi Samoa wants to know whether the allegations were made by a few disgruntled players or the whole team.

Global rugby players' body investigating Samoa mistreatment claims

On Friday, the Manu Sevens players came out with damning allegations of bullying and intimidation by their coaching staff, in a letter to the World Rugby

International Rugby Players head of welfare and high performance Conrad Smith says is in contact with the Pacific Rugby Players chairman Hale T-Pole and some of the Samoan players.

Smith says T-Pole will be talking to World Rugby and the Lakapi Samoa this afternoon.

He says the International Rugby Players will continue to be in contact with T-Pole on the issue.

Crosshaven Rugby Club pays tribute to late Manu Samoa Jake Grey

The Irish-based club said on its social media platform, “As many of you know, Jake was a member of our 2011 All Ireland Junior Cup winning team. He then went on to play for his native Samoa in 2014 and was part of their squad for the 2015 Rugby World Cup.”

“Our condolences to Jake’s family and friends, many of which remain in Crosshaven. We will miss you!”

The 37 year-old died at Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital in Apia on Sunday, after a long battle with cancer.

     

Barbarians deny ‘shambles’ of Covid call-off against Samoa was their fault or RFU’s

A statement released by the Rugby Football Union revealed that four players and two members of staff from the invitational side had tested positive for Covid-19. The scrapping of the game followed last year’s fixture against England being called off after 13 players broke the Covid protocols, leading to widespread condemnation of the players’ behaviour.

Manu Samoa name squad to face Barbarians

The clash at Twickenham is the only match to be played from Samoa's original end-of-year tour, with earlier tests against Georgia, Uruguay and Spain cancelled because of Covid-19 travel restrictions.

Head coach Vaovasamanaia Seilala Mapusua has selected a balanced squad including ten debutants and a handful of wily veterans.

Veteran lock Joe Tekori will make his swansong appearance for the Manu next Saturday, fresh from scoring a try for the French Barbarians in their win over Tonga.