Samoa national rugby union team

The Samoa national rugby union team represents the Samoa Rugby Union in men's international rugby union. They are also known as "Manu Samoa", which is thought to derive from the name of a Samoan warrior.[1] They perform a traditional Samoan challenge called the siva tau before each game. Samoa Rugby Union were formerly members of the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance (PIRA) along with Fiji and Tonga.[2] They are ranked 11th in the world.[3]

Samoa
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)Manu Samoa
EmblemSouthern cross
UnionRugby Samoa
Head coachSeilala Mapusua
CaptainMichael Ala'alatoa
Most capsBrian Lima (67)
Top scorerTusi Pisi (245)
Top try scorerBrian Lima (29)
Home stadiumApia Park
First colours
Second colours
World Rugby ranking
Current12 (as of 28 August 2023)
Highest7 (2012, 2013)
Lowest17 (2018, 2019)
First international
Samoa Western Samoa 0–6 Fiji 
(Apia, Samoa; 18 August 1924)
Biggest win
 Samoa 115–7 Papua New Guinea 
(Apia, Samoa; 11 July 2009)
Biggest defeat
 New Zealand 101–14 Samoa 
(New Plymouth, New Zealand; 3 September 2008)
World Cup
Appearances9 (First in 1991)
Best resultQuarterfinals (1991, 1995)
Websitemanusamoa.com

Rugby was introduced to Samoa in the early 1920s and a governing body was soon formed. The first international was played as Western Samoa against Fiji in August 1924. Along with Tonga, these nations would meet regularly and eventually contest competitions such as the Pacific Tri-Nations – with Western Samoa winning the first of these. From 1924 to 1997 Samoa was known as Western Samoa.

Samoa have been to every Rugby World Cup since the 1991 tournament. That tournament, along with the 1995 competition, saw them make the quarterfinals. Under their new coach, former New Zealand and Samoan international player Michael Jones, Samoa competed in the 2007 Rugby World Cup. However, Samoa had a dismal World Cup campaign, winning only one match and finishing fourth in their group. Samoa showed an improved performance at the 2011 Rugby World Cup, winning two matches by comfortable margins, and losing close matches to South Africa and Wales.

History edit

The Marist Brothers brought rugby to Western Samoa in 1924 and The Western Samoa Rugby Football Union was formed in 1924. On 18 August 1924, Western Samoa played its first international against Fiji in the capital Apia, the visitors winning 6–0. The match was played at 7 am to allow the Samoans time to get to work afterwards and was played on a pitch with a large tree on the halfway line. The return match was won 9–3 by Samoa to draw the series.

In 1954 Western Samoa visited both Pacific Island neighbors Fiji and Tonga, but had to wait a further 20 years before a tour of New Zealand took place. The Samoans won one of eight matches on that tour.

The traditional tri-series between Tonga, Fiji and Western Samoa was established in 1982 with Western Samoa winning the first tournament. Wales visited Western Samoa and won the test 32–16 at Apia. The tour led to a return visit to Wales which brought Western Samoa out of International limbo, although Western Samoa were not invited to the first Rugby World Cup in 1987.

The following year a 14-match tour of Europe took place before a World Cup elimination series in Tokyo, which gave Western Samoa a place in the 1991 Rugby World Cup in Britain. They made a huge impact. After sweeping aside Wales 16–13 in Cardiff and defeating Argentina 35–12, and narrowly losing 3–9 to eventual champions Australia in their pool match, Western Samoa, a country with a population of 160,000, found itself in the quarterfinals against Scotland at Murrayfield. The Scots won comfortably 28–6, but the Samoans were clearly the personality team of the tournament. One Welsh fan ruefully remarked after Wales's defeat, "It's a good job we weren't playing all of Samoa."

Over the next two years, the side had a number of notable wins. The most outstanding achievements were in Sevens where it won the 1993 Hong Kong and 1992 Middlesex Sevens. The 1995 Rugby World Cup in South Africa proved that the team belonged in top company. They again reached the quarterfinals after wins over Argentina and Italy, but were beaten 42–14 by the eventual winners South Africa. After the Cup, Manu Samoa made a 13-match tour of England and Scotland, drawing 15–15 with the Scots and going down 27–9 to England.

With the advent of professional rugby in 1995 it was vital for Manu Samoa to develop a new administrative structure. This was made possible with Fay Richwhite and the Western Samoan Rugby Union joining forces to form Manu Samoa Rugby Limited. Fay Richwhite invested $5 million from 1995 to 2004 into Samoan rugby.[4][5]

 
Japan vs Samoa Rugby Match at Chichibunomiya Stadium on 17 June 2012, which was won by Samoa 27–26

Samoa emerged from the 1999 World Cup with its honor intact after another shock 38–31 victory over host nation Wales in the pool stages. They again lost out to Scotland in the quarterfinal play-off.

Manu Samoa qualified for the 2003 World Cup with a 17–16 loss against Fiji, Earl Va'a missing an injury-time penalty. They recovered to beat Tonga both home and away and avenged that Fijian defeat with a 22–12 win in Nadi. They ultimately had to settle for second place in the round robin, behind Fiji on points difference, and a place in the tougher of the two Rugby World Cup 2003 pools alongside automatic qualifiers England and South Africa. In one of the games of the tournament, they led eventual champions England for most of the game before losing 35–22.

Samoa qualified for the 2011 World Cup after beating Papua New Guinea 73–12 in Port Moresby on 18 July 2009. They won 188–19 on aggregate over two matches against Papua New Guinea, having won 115–7 at Apia Park the previous week.[6]

Samoa began their 2011 World Cup campaign preparation with a flying start, after registering an upset against No.2 ranked Australia with a four-try-to-two win of 32–23.[7]

Financial problems edit

In November 2017, Samoa's prime minister and SRU chairman Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi announced that the organisation was bankrupt,[8] although those claims were denied by world governing body World Rugby.[9]

Wins against Tier 1 nations edit

Samoa have recorded 15 wins against tier 1 nations. In addition, Samoa drew with Scotland 15-15 on the 18 November 1995 at Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh, Scotland.

6 October 1991 Wales   13–16   Samoa   Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff  
Try: I Evans
Emyr
Con: Ring
Pen: Ring
Report Try: Vaega
Vaifale
Con: Vaea
Pen: Vaea (2)
Attendance: 45,000
Referee:   Patrick Robin (France)
13 October 1991 Argentina   12–35   Samoa   Sardis Road, Pontypridd  
Try: Teran Nougues
Con: Arbizu
Pen: Arbizu
Laborde
Report Try: Bachop
Bunce
Lima (2)
Tagaloa (2)
Con: Vaea (4)
Pen: Vaea
Attendance: 8,500
25 June 1994 Samoa   34–9   Wales   Moamoa  
Try: Lam
Lima (2)
Con: Kellett (2)
Pen: Kellett (5)
Report Pen: N Jenkins (3)
Referee:   Barry Leask (Australia)
27 May 1995 Italy   18–42   Samoa   ABSA Stadium, East London  
Try: Cuttitta
Vaccari
Con: Domínguez
Pen: Domínguez
Drop: Domínguez
Report Try: Harder (2)
Kellett
Lima (2)
Tatupu
Con: Kellett (3)
Pen: Kellett (2)
Attendance: 12,000
Referee:   Joel Dume (France)
30 May 1995 Argentina   26–32   Samoa   ABSA Stadium, East London  
Try: Crexell
Penalty Try
Con: Cilley (2)
Pen: Cilley (4)
Report Try: Harder
Lam
Leaupepe
Con: Kellett
Pen: Kellett (5)
Attendance: 15,000
Referee:   Dave Bishop (New Zealand)
12 November 1996 Ireland   25–40   Samoa   Lansdowne Road, Dublin  
Try: Wallace
Con: Mason
Pen: Mason (6)
Report Try: Leaupepe
Patu
So'oalo
Vaega (2)
Con: Va'a (3)
Pen: Va'a (3)
Referee:   Santiago Borsani (Argentina)
14 October 1999 Wales   31–38   Samoa   Millennium Stadium, Cardiff  
Try: Thomas
Penalty Try (2)
Con: N Jenkins (2)
Pen: N Jenkins (4)
Report Try: Bachop (2)
Falaniko
Lam
Leaega
Con: Leaega (5)
Pen: Leaega
Attendance: 72,500
Referee:   Ed Morrison (England)
8 July 2000 Samoa   43–24   Italy   Apia Park, Apia  
Try: Lima
Samania
So'oalo
Vaega
Vili
Con: Samania (3)
Pen: Samania (4)
Report Try: Checchinato
Moscardi
Stoica
Con: Pez (3)
Drop: Pez
Attendance: 7,500
Referee:   Tappe Henning (South Africa)
24 November 2001 Italy   9–17   Samoa   Stadio Tommaso Fattori, L'Aquila  
Pen: Domínguez (3)
Report Try: Fa'atau
Pen: Leaega (2)
Vili (2)
Attendance: 8,000
Referee:   Robert G. Davies (Wales)
3 December 2005 Argentina   12–28   Samoa   Buenos Aires  
Try: Agulla
Fernández Lobbe
Con: Fernández Miranda
Report Try: Johnston
Sititi
Tagicakibau
Con: Warren (2)
Pen: Warren (2)
Drop: Warren
Referee:   Nigel Owens (Wales)
17 July 2011 Australia   23–32   Samoa   Stadium Australia, Sydney  
Try: Ioane 37'
Giteau 70'
Con: Giteau (38', 71')
Pen: Giteau (40', 41', 57')
Report Try: Tuilagi 11'
Williams 28'
Thompson 45'
G Pisi 54'
Con: T Pisi (13', 29', 55')
Pen: T Pisi (3', 65')
Attendance: 29,908
Referee:   Marius Jonker (South Africa)
16 November 2012 Wales   19–26   Samoa   Millennium Stadium, Cardiff  
Try: Beck 32'
Con: Halfpenny (1/1) 33'
Pen: Halfpenny (4/5) 15', 28', 49', 61'
Report Try: Autagavaia 1' c
G Pisi 46' m
Leota 77' m
Con: T Pisi (1/3) 2'
Pen: T Pisi (3/6) 40', 56', 65'
Attendance: 44,329
Referee:   Pascal Gauzère (France)
8 June 2013 Samoa   27–17   Scotland   Mr Price Kings Park, Durban  
Try: So'oialo 6' c
Tuilagi (2) 11' c, 62' c
Con: So'oialo (3/3) 8', 13', 64'
Pen: So'oialo (2/3) 53', 69'
Try: Lamont 49' m
Pen: Laidlaw (4/5) 10', 18', 31', 41'
Attendance: 9,753
Referee:   John Lacey (Ireland)
15 June 2013 Samoa   39–10   Italy   Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit  
Try: Williams 20' c
Leiua 41' m
Leota 53' c
Tuifu'a 63' c
Va'aulu 72' c
Con: Williams (3/4) 21', 53', 64'
Anufe (1/1) 73'
Pen: Williams (2/3) 30', 51'
Try: Penalty try 70' c
Con: di Bernardo (1/1) 70'
Pen: Orquera (1/3) 27'
Referee:   Craig Joubert (South Africa)
14 June 2014 Samoa   15–0   Italy   Apia Park, Apia  
14:00 WST (UTC+13) Pen: T. Pisi (5/7) 10', 24', 30', 47', 69'
Report
(In Italian)
Attendance: 7,000
Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)

Overall record edit

Top 20 as of 18 March 2024[10]
Rank Change* Team Points
1     South Africa 094.54
2     Ireland 090.69
3     New Zealand 089.80
4     France 087.92
5     England 085.75
6     Scotland 082.82
7     Argentina 080.68
8  1   Italy 079.41
9  1   Australia 077.48
10  2   Wales 077.26
11     Fiji 076.38
12     Japan 074.27
13     Georgia 074.02
14     Samoa 072.23
15  1   Tonga 071.57
16  1   Portugal 070.28
17     United States 067.94
18     Uruguay 067.39
19     Spain 064.37
20     Romania 061.66
21     Canada 060.90
22     Namibia 060.56
23     Chile 060.49
24     Hong Kong 059.80
25     Russia 058.06
26      Switzerland 057.44
27     Netherlands 057.29
28  1   Belgium 055.89
29  1   Brazil 055.37
30  1   Korea 053.46
* Change from the previous week
Samoa's historical rankings
See or edit source data.
Source: World Rugby[10]
Graph updated to 4 March 2024

Below is table of the representative rugby matches played by a Samoa national XV at test level up until 10 October 2023.[11]

Opponent Played Won Lost Drawn Win % For Aga Diff
  Argentina 5 3 2 0 60% 121 101 +20
  Australia 6 1 5 0 16.66% 73 238 −165
  Australia A 1 1 0 0 100.00% 31 26 +5
 Barbarians 1 0 1 0 0.00% 24 27 −3
  Belgium 1 1 0 0 100.00% 37 8 +29
  Canada 6 6 0 0 100.00% 169 103 +66
  Chile 1 1 0 0 100.00% 43 10 +33
  Cook Islands 3 3 0 0 100.00% 102 31 +71
  England 9 0 9 0 0.00% 131 310 −179
  Fiji 55 21 31 3 41.18% 963 1102 −139
  Fiji XV 3 0 3 0 0.00% 20 58 −38
  France 4 0 4 0 0.00% 49 156 −107
  Georgia 6 2 3 1 33.33% 135 110 +25
  Germany 2 2 0 0 100.00% 108 43 +65
  Ireland 8 1 7 0 12.5% 121 273 −152
  Italy 8 5 3 0 62.5% 192 158 +34
  Japan 18 12 6 0 66.67% 547 361 +186
  South Korea 1 1 0 0 100.00% 74 7 +67
  Namibia 2 2 0 0 100.00% 89 25 +64
  New Caledonia 1 1 0 0 100.00% 28 6 +22
  New Zealand 7 0 7 0 0.00% 72 411 −339
  Papua New Guinea 2 2 0 0 100.00% 188 19 +169
  Romania 3 1 2 0 33.33% 59 49 +10
  Russia 1 1 0 0 100.00% 34 9 +25
  Scotland 12 1 10 1 8.33% 193 332 −139
  South Africa 9 0 9 0 0.00% 99 431 −332
  Spain 1 1 0 0 100.00% 28 10 +18
  Tahiti 1 1 0 0 100.00% 33 11 +22
  Tonga 69 38 27 4 55.07% 1291 1028 +263
  United States 7 5 2 0 71.42% 156 128 +28
  Uruguay 1 1 0 0 100.00% 60 13 +47
  Wales 10 4 6 0 40.00% 180 235 −55
  West Germany 1 1 0 0 100.00% 54 9 +45
Total 265 119 137 9 44.91% 5495 5838 −333

World Cup record edit

 
Samoa performing their Siva Tau before playing South Africa at the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
World Cup record World Cup Qualification record
Year Round P W D L F A P W D L F A
   1987 Not invited Not invited
    1991 Quarter-finals 4 2 0 2 60 72 3 3 0 0 123 21
  1995 Quarter-finals 4 2 0 2 110 130 Automatically qualified
  1999 Play-off 4 2 0 2 117 107 3 1 0 2 59 71
  2003 Pool Stage 4 2 0 2 138 117 4 3 0 1 96 58
  2007 Pool Stage 4 1 0 3 69 143 4 3 0 1 133 78
  2011 Pool Stage 4 2 0 2 91 49 2 2 0 0 188 19
  2015 Pool stage 4 1 0 3 69 124 Automatically qualified
  2019 Pool stage 4 1 0 3 58 128 6 3 0 3 196 147
  2023 Pool stage 4 1 0 3 92 75 2 2 0 0 79 28
  2027 to be determined Qualification not started
  2031
Total 9/10 36 14 0 22 804 935 24 17 0 7 874 422

In one of the scenes of the feature film, Invictus, Western Samoa can be seen playing South Africa in the 1995 Rugby World Cup.

Pacific Nations Cup edit

Samoa previously competed in the Pacific Tri-Nations winning 11 tournaments. The Pacific Nations Cup replaced the Tri-Nations tournament in 2006. Samoa have won four tournaments.

Tournament Won Drawn Lost Samoa finish
2006 2 0 2 2nd / 5
2007 3 0 2 3rd / 6
2008 2 0 3 3rd / 6
2009 2 0 2 3rd / 5
2010 2 0 1 1st / 4
2011 1 0 2 3rd / 4
2012 3 0 0 1st / 4
2013 DNP
2014 1 1 0 1st / 3
2015 2 1 0 2nd / 6
2016 1 0 1 2nd / 3
2017 0 0 2 3rd / 3
2018 0 0 2 4th / 4
2019 1 0 2 4th / 6
2022 3 0 0 1st / 4
2023 2 0 1 2nd / 4
Total 25 2 20 4 titles

Players edit

Current squad edit

Samoa announced their final squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup on 6 August 2023.[12]

Head coach:   Seilala Mapusua

  • Caps updated: 27 August 2023
Player Position Date of birth (age) Caps Club/province
Seilala Lam Hooker (1989-02-18) 18 February 1989 (age 35) 29   Perpignan
Sama Malolo Hooker (1998-02-19) 19 February 1998 (age 26) 7   San Diego Legion
Luteru Tolai Hooker (1998-06-01) 1 June 1998 (age 25) 3   Moana Pasifika
Michael Ala'alatoa (c) Prop (1991-08-28) 28 August 1991 (age 32) 18   Leinster
Paul Alo-Emile Prop (1991-12-22) 22 December 1991 (age 32) 25   Stade Français
Charlie Faumuina Prop (1986-12-24) 24 December 1986 (age 37) 4   Toulouse
James Lay Prop (1993-12-16) 16 December 1993 (age 30) 16   Blues
Jordan Lay Prop (1992-11-05) 5 November 1992 (age 31) 29   Blues
Brian Alainu'uese Lock (1994-03-19) 19 March 1994 (age 29) 9   Toulon
Theo McFarland Lock (1995-10-16) 16 October 1995 (age 28) 12   Saracens
Sam Slade Lock (1997-08-28) 28 August 1997 (age 26) 6   Moana Pasifika
Chris Vui (c) Lock (1993-02-11) 11 February 1993 (age 31) 30   Bristol Bears
So'otala Fa'aso'o Back row (1994-10-02) 2 October 1994 (age 29) 1   Perpignan
Miracle Faiʻilagi Back row (1999-08-31) 31 August 1999 (age 24) 4   Moana Pasifika
Fritz Lee Back row (1988-08-29) 29 August 1988 (age 35) 12   Clermont
Steve Luatua Back row (1991-04-29) 29 April 1991 (age 32) 7   Bristol Bears
Alamanda Motuga Back row (1995-09-11) 11 September 1995 (age 28) 7   Moana Pasifika
Taleni Seu Back row (1993-12-26) 26 December 1993 (age 30) 9   Toyota Shuttles
Jordan Taufua Back row (1992-01-29) 29 January 1992 (age 32) 9   Lyon
Ere Enari Scrum-half (1997-05-30) 30 May 1997 (age 26) 8   Moana Pasifika
Melani Matavao Scrum-half (1995-11-19) 19 November 1995 (age 28) 15 Unattached
Jonathan Taumateine Scrum-half (1996-09-28) 28 September 1996 (age 27) 15   Moana Pasifika
Christian Leali'ifano Fly-half (1987-09-24) 24 September 1987 (age 36) 7   Moana Pasifika
Lima Sopoaga Fly-half (1991-02-03) 3 February 1991 (age 33) 3   Lyon
D'Angelo Leuila Centre (1997-01-18) 18 January 1997 (age 27) 24   Moana Pasifika
Tumua Manu Centre (1993-04-18) 18 April 1993 (age 30) 11   Pau
Duncan Paia'aua Centre (1995-01-20) 20 January 1995 (age 29) 10   Toulon
UJ Seuteni Centre (1993-12-09) 9 December 1993 (age 30) 14   La Rochelle
Nigel Ah Wong Wing (1990-05-30) 30 May 1990 (age 33) 12 Unattached
Ed Fidow Wing (1993-09-11) 11 September 1993 (age 30) 21   New York
Neria Fomai Wing (1992-02-03) 3 February 1992 (age 32) 9   Moana Pasifika
Ben Lam Wing (1991-06-09) 9 June 1991 (age 32) 2   Montpellier
Danny Toala Fullback (1999-03-26) 26 March 1999 (age 24) 12   Moana Pasifika

Player records edit

Most caps edit

# Player Pos Span Mat Start Sub Won Lost Draw %
1 Brian Lima Wing 1991–2007 65 62 3 32 31 2 50.76
2 To'o Vaega Centre 1986–2001 61 56 5 35 25 1 58.19
3 Semo Sititi Flanker 1999–2009 59 50 9 33 26 0 55.93
4 Census Johnston Prop 2005–2017 57 43 14 25 31 1 44.73
5 David Lemi Wing 2004–2017 54 46 8 21 31 2 40.74
6 Jack Lam Flanker 2013- 44 39 5 14 28 2 41.66
Zak Taulafo Prop 2009–2016 44 39 5 20 22 2 47.72
8 Opeta Palepoi Lock 1998–2005 43 30 13 24 19 0 55.81
9 Tusi Pisi Fly-half 2011–2019 42 38 4 15 26 1 36.90
Ofisa Treviranus Flanker 2009–2018 42 32 15 17 24 1 41.66

Last updated: England vs Samoa, 7 October 2023. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[13]

Most tries edit

# Player Pos Span Mat Start Sub Pts Tries
1 Brian Lima Wing 1991–2007 65 62 3 140 29
2 Alesana Tuilagi Wing 2002–2015 37 35 2 90 18
3 Semo Sititi Flanker 1999–2009 59 50 9 85 17
4 Afato So'oalo Wing 1996–2001 20 18 2 80 16
5 Lome Fa'atau Wing 2000–2007 35 31 4 70 14
To'o Vaega Centre 1986–2001 61 56 5 79 14
7 David Lemi Wing 2004–2017 54 46 8 65 13
8 Ed Fidow Wing 2018–present 20 16 4 60 12
9 George Leaupepe Centre 1995–2005 26 23 3 50 10
10 Tupo Fa'amasino Centre 1988–1996 20 20 0 52 9
Alapati Leiua Centre 2013–2022 34 31 3 45 9
Elvis Seveali'i Centre 2000–2007 20 16 4 45 9

Last updated: England vs Samoa, 7 October 2023. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[14]

Most points edit

# Player Pos Span Mat Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop
1 Tusi Pisi Fly-half 2011–2019 42 245 2 29 57 2
2 Earl Va'a Fly-half 1996–2003 28 174 3 33 31 0
3 Silao Leaega Fullback 1997–2002 19 145 2 21 31 0
4 Brian Lima Wing 1991–2007 65 140 29 0 0 0
5 Darren Kellett Fly-half 1993–1995 13 137 2 14 31 2
6 Roger Warren Fly-half 2004–2008 12 119 0 13 29 2
7 Gavin Williams Centre 2007–2010 16 106 5 18 15 0
8 Tanner Vili Fly-half 1999–2006 31 99 4 20 13 0
9 Alesana Tuilagi Wing 2002–2015 37 90 18 0 0 0
10 Andrew Aiolupo Fullback 1983–1994 37 89 3 21 11 0

Last updated: England vs Samoa, 7 October 2023. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[15]

Most matches as captain edit

# Player Pos Span Mat Won Lost Draw % Pts Tries
1 Semo Sititi Flanker 2000–2007 39 19 20 0 48.71 45 9
2 Pat Lam Number 8 1995–1999 23 8 13 2 39.13 10 2
3 David Lemi Wing 2012–2017 21 9 10 2 47.61 35 7
4 Peter Fatialofa Prop 1990–1995 16 11 5 0 68.75 9 2
5 Mahonri Schwalger Hooker 2009–2011 13 5 8 0 38.46 0 0
6 Chris Vui Lock 2017–present 11 4 7 0 37.50 5 1
7 Michael Ala'alatoa Prop 2019-present 10 8 2 0 77.00 0 0
8 Jack Lam Flanker 2018–2019 9 1 8 0 12.50 15 3
9 George Stowers Number 8 2008–2009 7 4 3 0 57.14 10 2
10 Kahn Fotuali'i Scrum-half 2013–2017 4 0 4 0 0.00 3 0
Ofisa Treviranus Number 8 2015 4 1 3 0 25.00 5 1
Alesana Tuilagi Wing 2015 4 2 1 1 62.50 5 1

Last updated: England vs Samoa, 7 October 2023. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[16]

Most points in a match edit

# Player Pos Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop Opposition Venue Date
1 Gavin Williams Centre 30 2 10 0 0   Papua New Guinea   Apia 11/07/2009
2 Roger Warren Fly-half 24 0 0 8 0   Tonga   Apia 29/05/2004
3 Andrew Aiolupo Fullback 23 1 8 1 0   South Korea   Tokyo 08/04/1990
Silao Leaega Fullback 23 1 3 4 0   Japan   Wrexham 03/10/1999
Toa Samania Fullback 23 1 3 4 0   Italy   Apia 08/07/2000
6 Darren Kellett Fly-half 22 0 2 5 1   Tonga   Moamoa 04/06/1994
Ahsee Tuala Fullback 22 2 6 0 0   Germany   Heidelberg 14/07/2018
8 To'o Vaega Centre 21 1 4 3 0   Fiji   Apia 01/06/1991
Earl Va'a Fly-half 21 1 5 2 0   Georgia   Perth 19/10/2003
Roger Warren Fly-half 21 0 3 4 1   Fiji   Apia 09/07/2005

Last updated: England vs Samoa, 7 October 2023. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[17]

Most tries in a match edit

# Player Pos Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop Opposition Venue Date
1 Elvis Seveali'i Wing 20 4 0 0 0   Japan   Apia 10/06/2000
Alesana Tuilagi Wing 20 4 0 0 0   Tonga   Apia 02/07/2005
Esera Lauina Wing 20 4 0 0 0   Papua New Guinea   Apia 11/07/2009
Robert Lilomaiava Wing 20 4 0 0 0   Canada   Colwyn Bay 09/11/2012
5 Tupo Fa'amasino Wing 12 3 0 0 0   South Korea   Tokyo 08/04/1990
Brian Lima Centre 12 3 0 0 0   Fiji   Apia 01/06/1991
Afato So'oalo Wing 15 3 0 0 0   Tonga   Apia 28/06/1997
Dominic Feau'nati Wing 15 3 0 0 0   Namibia   Windhoek 12/07/2003
Mikaele Pesamino Wing 15 3 0 0 0   Papua New Guinea   Port Moresby 18/07/2009
Alesana Tuilagi Wing 15 3 0 0 0   Namibia   Rotorua 14/09/2011
Ed Fidow Wing 15 3 0 0 0   Germany   Apia 30/06/2018

Last updated: England vs Samoa, 7 October 2023. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[18]

Coaches edit

Period Name Nationality
197?–19?? Keli Tuatagaloa   Samoa
198?–198? Paul Wallwork   Samoa
198?–1988 Richard Cook   New Zealand
1989–1995 Peter Schuster   Samoa
1996–1999 Bryan Williams   New Zealand
2000–2003 John Boe   New Zealand
2004–2007 Michael Jones   New Zealand
2008–2009 Niko Palamo   Samoa
2009–2011 Titimaea Tafua   Samoa
2011 Scott Wisemantel   Australia
2012–2015 Stephen Betham   Samoa
2016–2017 Alama Ieremia   New Zealand
2017–2018 Titimaea Tafua   Samoa
2018–2020 Steve Jackson   New Zealand
2020–present Seilala Mapusua   Samoa

New Zealand connection edit

Western Samoa's triumph in the 1991 Rugby World Cup was inspired by their assistant coach Bryan Williams,[citation needed] who was a New Zealand-born (of Samoan descent) All Black great of the 1970s. The 1991 Samoan World Cup team included many New Zealand born or raised players; the catalyst was Auckland prop Peter Fatialofa, who in 1989, became the first major New Zealand-based player to play for Samoa. By the time of the 1991 World Cup several other New Zealand-born Samoans like Pat Lam, Stephen Bachop, Frank Bunce and Apollo Perelini had joined him. New Zealand born players with Samoan parentage have played for Samoa, such as Earl Va'a, Pat Lam and Lome Fa'atau.

The rugby relationship that exists between New Zealand and Samoa is a complex one. Close ties exist between the two countries, these bonds first being formed with the start of mass Polynesian migration to New Zealand in the latter half of the twentieth century. At the 2007 World Cup, there were 14 New Zealand-born players in the Samoan squad.[19] The only team with more foreign born players in their squad was Italy who had 15.[19]

Strips edit

Manu Samoa play in blue and white uniforms, with the home strip consisting of blue jerseys, white shorts and blue socks and the away kit being with the colours reversed. Since 2007, the flag of Samoa has been featured on the left sleeve and pe'a-like patterns were incorporated into the jerseys. Sponsored logos appear on jerseys for matches other than the Rugby World Cup, where branding, except for equipment manufacturers, is not allowed.

Period Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor
1986–1988 Umbro No shirt sponsor
1988–1992 Canterbury
1992–1994 Telecom New Zealand
1994–1996 Vailima
1996–1998 Reebok
1998 Newcall
1999 Adidas
1999–2003 No shirt sponsor
2004–2005 Puma
2005–2009 Samoa International Finance Authority
2010–2011 KooGa
2012–2013 BLK Digicel
2014–2015 Canterbury^b Cromwell Property Group (front),
Redefine Properties (back)
2015 BLK
2016 Bluesky Communications
2016–2017 LE Sportswear
2017 Magnum Hire (front),^c
Henderson Cars (back) ^c
Invest Samoa ^d
2018–2021 BLK Grey Investment Group
2021 Dynasty Sport^e
2021-2022 Castore Grey Investment Group
2022 Aramis Rugby (front)

Samoa IBFC (back)

2023- Macron
^b Canterbury brand apparel was supplied for the 2014 end-of-year tour.
^c Sponsors worn during the Pasifika Challenge double-header.
^d Invest Samoa sponsored Samoa during the 2017 end-of-year rugby union tests.
^e Lakapi Samoa partners with Dynasty Sport and reveals Jersey for the June-July 2021 Test Series.

See also edit

Notes edit

  1. ^ "MANU SAMOA | Meaning & Definition for UK English | Lexico.com". Lexico Dictionaries | English. Archived from the original on July 11, 2021. Retrieved 2021-10-28.
  2. ^ We quit: SRU Samoa Observer
  3. ^ "World Rugby Rankings". World Rugby.
  4. ^ "Samoa's Prime Minister praises banker, Sir Michael Fay, for supporting Manu Samoa". Radio New Zealand International. 18 April 2004. Retrieved 7 November 2011.
  5. ^ "Fay: Samoans need change". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  6. ^ "Samoa qualify for 2011 World Cup". BBC Sport. 18 July 2009. Retrieved 4 August 2009.
  7. ^ Samoa shock Australia with 32–23 win in Sydney BBC Sport, 17 July 2011
  8. ^ "Union broke, P.M. admits". Samoa Observer. 7 November 2017. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
  9. ^ "Autumn Tests: Samoa rugby not bankrupt, says World Rugby". BBC Sport. 20 November 2017. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
  10. ^ a b "Men's World Rankings". World Rugby. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  11. ^ Samoa rugby statistics
  12. ^ "Three former All Blacks in Samoa squad for Rugby World Cup". Rugby Australia. 6 August 2023. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  13. ^ "Rugby Teams, Scores, Stats, News, Fixtures, Results, Tables - ESPN".
  14. ^ "Rugby Teams, Scores, Stats, News, Fixtures, Results, Tables - ESPN".
  15. ^ "Rugby Teams, Scores, Stats, News, Fixtures, Results, Tables - ESPN".
  16. ^ "Rugby Teams, Scores, Stats, News, Fixtures, Results, Tables - ESPN".
  17. ^ "Rugby Teams, Scores, Stats, News, Fixtures, Results, Tables - ESPN".
  18. ^ "Rugby Teams, Scores, Stats, News, Fixtures, Results, Tables - ESPN".
  19. ^ a b "All those born abroad". Planet Rugby. Archived from the original on 11 October 2007. Retrieved 2 October 2007.

External links edit