Samoa Rugby

It was a willing start from both teams who wasted no time getting physical.

Tonga showed some promise with an early penalty and leading territory, but it didn't take long for the Manusina to find some pace and put pressure on attack.

Samoa was awarded a penalty off the back off a bustling run, but took the sensible option to put first points on the board with Makayla Eli kicking perfectly to lead 3-0.

The Manusina continued to put pressure on attack shuffling the ball across both sides of the field but found themselves getting rattled by the Tongan's defence.

The match was meant to take place in Apia in April but was postponed due to Covid-19.

A final date and venue is yet to be confirmed but RNZ Pacific understands the qualifying match will be held on November 14th at the 2021 World Cup venue Waitakere Stadium.

Tonga assistant coach, Sione Pulu, said their squad is excited to get back on the field again after a dramatic campaign which involved a measles outbreak, visa entry complications and a global pandemic. (links)

"I think we're still lucky it's going ahead," he said.

New Zealand Rugby have said they're keen for a Pasifika side to join a new Super Rugby competition but are yet to make any concrete decision on where the team would be based or whether it would be run by national unions or a private group.

Mapusua, who was appointed earlier this month, said that one of his key messages to the selection panel was to increase the local player pool and focus on improving pathways to the national team.

"Development on the island is massive for me," he said from Dunedin.

"That's a big part of the foundation of the national team.

The Englishman was fired in 2016 after the Manu 7s failed to qualify for the Rio Olympics and a lawsuit claiming wrongful dismissal remains unresolved.

But he remains the last coach to lead the team to a tournament victory on the World Series.

"For all the issues that were off the field the players were fabulous and the people were fabulous, and my wife and I have so many happy memories," he said.

Manuma Samoa left their Pacific island for an away match in Perth, Australia, more than 100 days ago.

But on their way home they were forced to quarantine in New Zealand - and were then stuck when their home country closed its borders entirely.

In Auckland, the squad lived in a church compound for two months, with 20 players sharing one room.

Although they are now back in Samoa, they are half-way through another two-week quarantine - and players still haven't seen their families.

Sir Gordon spent 22 years in charge of the All Black Sevens, winning four Commonwealth Games gold medals, two World Cups and 12 World Series titles before taking charge of Samoa's national team in 2017.

But during his three year tenure, the outgoing coach had limited success, failing to win a tournament and making only one cup final.

Now he's stepping down from his contract which expires at the end of August.

Despite a misfired attempt to secure Olympic qualification, Sir Gordon said he did everything he could to bring success to the island nation.

His rugby career has included 60 tests, 13 years of international rugby, nine professional teams, three World Cups and one Heineken Cup title.

The Auckland-born front rower, who has called France home for the past 11 years, admits it's a decision that had been in the pipeline for a few years.

"I've just been fortunate enough to pick up a few contracts still and get offers so I've decided to guts it out and take them and probably knew I was going to finish up a few months back."

Ex-Tigers and Samoa winger Alesana, who won 38 Test caps (37 for the Samoans and one for Pacific Islands), was one brother from the iconic family that had a long history of making the life of wingers or fly-halves – many of whom were half his size – a living hell. 

While it was unfortunate for some players to encounter him, that was ultimately their job and former Canada winger Phil Mackenzie has now shared memories of the occasion when he thought it was a good idea to square up to Tuilagi.

For unions like Samoa, Fiji and Tonga, commercial viability was already challenging and with USA Rugby filing for bankruptcy along with larger rugby nations facing serious financial worries, Pacific clubs and unions were becoming concerned for their future.

The CEO of Samoa Rugby, Faleomavaega Vincent Fepulea'i, said he was seeking financial support from World Rugby.

The Manumā Samoa had gone into self-isolation in Auckland after returning from their Rapid Rugby season opener in Perth last March.

However once New Zealand's lockdown was implemented and flights restricted, the team was stuck.

The CEO of Samoa Rugby, Faleomavaega Vincent Fepulea'i, said the Manumā Samoa players had all been tested for Covid-19.