Samoa national rugby union team

Samoa
Union Samoa Rugby Union
Nickname(s) Manu Samoa
Emblem(s) the Southern Cross
Coach(es) Stephen Betham
Captain(s) David Lemi
Most caps Brian Lima (64)
Top scorer Earl Va'a (172)
Most tries Brian Lima (29)[1]
Team kit
Change kit
First international
 Western Samoa 0 – 6 Fiji 
(18 August 1924)
Largest win
 Samoa 115 – 7 Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea
(11 July 2009)
Largest defeat
 New Zealand 101 – 14 Samoa 
(3 September 2008)
World Cup
Appearances 6 (First in 1991)
Best result Quarter Finals, 1991, 1995

The Samoa national rugby union team (also known as Manu Samoa) is the men's representative side of Samoa in rugby union. The Samoa Rugby Union is owned by the affiliated rugby unions of Samoa. The name Manu Samoa is in honour of a famous Samoan warrior. 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 9th in the world. They have been funded by millionaire Sir Michael Fay, one of New Zealand's wealthiest men, since 1996.[3][4]

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 and competed 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 quarter-finals. Under their new coach, the All Blacks legend Michael Jones (himself of Samoan descent and a Samoan international), 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. Jones resigned immediately after the World Cup. 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.

Manu Samoa play in blue and white uniforms. They do not train on Sundays because many of the team are devout Christians.

History

The Marist Brothers brought the game of 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 7am 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 Samoan 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.

Over the next two years the side had a number of notable wins. The most outstanding achievement 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, which now manages business for the team. 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 quarter final 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.[5]

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.[6]

The New Zealand connection

Western Samoa's triumph in the 1991 Rugby World Cup was inspired by their assistant coach Bryan Williams 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 decide 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. It was around this time that players of Samoan descent, the children of the mass-migration of the 1960s and 70s, were beginning to make large waves in New Zealand rugby. Some like Michael Jones were born in New Zealand while others like Inga Tuigamala had immigrated at a young age. The number of Samoan-born players to represent New Zealand increased in the 1990s. However, many of these players have been educated in New Zealand from an early age, developing their rugby skills within the very challenging New Zealand secondary schools competition. Mils Muliaina, Jerry Collins, Isaia Toeava and Casey Laulala are just four of the many Samoan-born players who have chosen to represent New Zealand, after having been educated there.

In recent times New Zealanders of Samoan descent have been key members of the All Blacks squad, including former New Zealand captain Tana Umaga. In some Test matches on their 2005 Grand Slam tour of the Home Nations New Zealand fielded a side packed with players of Samoan descent. New Zealand born players with Samoan parentage have also 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 undoubtedly 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. Many players eligible for Samoa have chosen to play for New Zealand, recognising the obvious potential for financial and sporting rewards. Also, unfortunately, because of current international eligibility laws, many Samoans who commit themselves to playing for the All Blacks find that they are unable to play for the smaller nation when their dreams of pulling on the black shirt are unrealised.

In the 2007 World Cup there were 14 New Zealand-born players in the Samoan squad, and five Samoan-born players in the New Zealand squad.[7] The only team with more foreign born players in their squad was Italy who had 15.[7]

World Cup record

Samoa performing their Siva Tau before playing South Africa at the 2007 Rugby World Cup
Year(s)Result
1987 Did not participate
1991 Quarterfinals
1995 Quarterfinals
1999 Quarterfinal play-offs
2003 Pool stage
2007 Pool stage
2011 Pool stage

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

Wins against Tier 1 nations

Samoa secured their first World Cup appearance, to RWC 1991, after defeating France in 1989 during their tour of Europe.

Overall record

Top 25 Rankings as 27 April 2015[8]
RankChange*TeamPoints
1 Steady  New Zealand 93.70
2 Steady  South Africa88.23
3 Steady  Ireland 85.76
4 Steady  England 85.40
5 Steady  Wales 84.07
6 Steady  Australia 82.95
7 Steady  France 79.74
8 Steady  Argentina 78.23
9 Steady  Samoa 75.39
10 Steady  Scotland 74.79
11 Steady  Japan 74.70
12 Steady  Fiji 74.57
13 Steady  Tonga 74.12
14 Steady  Georgia 72.16
15 Steady  Italy 71.85
16 Steady  United States 67.61
17 Steady  Canada 66.83
18 Steady  Romania 66.23
19 Steady  Russia 64.65
20 Steady  Uruguay 63.58
21 Steady  Spain 62.59
22 Increase1  South Korea 58.38
23 Decrease1  Namibia 58.27
24 Decrease1  Portugal 57.40
25 Steady  Belgium 56.47
*Change from the previous week
Samoa's Historical Rankings
Source: World Rugby - Graph updated to 27 April 2015[8]

Below is table of the representative rugby matches played by a Samoa national XV at test level up until 30 November 2014.[9]

Opponent Played Won Lost Drawn Win % For Aga Diff
 Argentina 4 3 1 0 75% 111 82 +29
 Australia 5 1 4 0 20% 58 204 −146
 Belgium 1 1 0 0 100% 37 8 +29
 Canada 4 4 0 0 100% 123 60 +63
 Cook Islands 3 3 0 0 100% 102 31 +71
 England 7 0 7 0 0% 100 244 -144
 Fiji [10] 50 20 28 2 40% 825 940 -115
 France 3 0 3 0 0% 41 104 -63
 Georgia 2 1 1 0 50% 61 25 +36
 Ireland 6 1 5 0 16.67% 103 209 -106
 Italy 7 5 2 0 71.42% 175 109 +66
 Japan 14 11 3 0 78.57% 477 274 +203
 South Korea 1 1 0 0 100% 74 7 +67
 Namibia 2 2 0 0 100% 89 25 +64
 New Caledonia 1 1 0 0 100% 28 6 +22
 New Zealand 5 0 5 0 0% 56 308 -252
 Papua New Guinea 2 2 0 0 100% 188 19 +169
 Romania 1 0 1 0 0% 24 32 -8
 Scotland 9 1 7 1 11.11% 122 218 -96
 South Africa 8 0 8 0 0% 93 385 -292
 Tahiti 1 1 0 0 100% 33 11 +22
 Tonga 51 30 18 3 58.82% 935 742 +193
 United States 3 3 0 0 100% 71 53 +18
 Uruguay 1 1 0 0 100% 60 13 +47
 Wales 9 4 5 0 44.44% 163 212 -49
 West Germany 1 1 0 0 100% 54 9 +45
Total 201 97 98 6 48.26 4203 4303 -100

Current squad

Samoa 58-man wider training squad for the 2015 Rugby World Cup. The squad will be cut to 38 players for the test against New Zealand and the 2015 IRB Pacific Nations Cup.[11]


Note: Flags indicate national union for the club/province as defined by World Rugby.

Player Position Date of Birth (Age) Caps Club/province
Albert Anae Prop 21 June 1989 0 Italy Benetton Treviso
Ole Avei Hooker 13 June 1983 20 France Bordeaux Bègles
Manu Leiataua Hooker 26 December 1986 4 France Aurillac
Ti’i Paulo Hooker 13 January 1983 22 France Clermont
Andrew Williams Hooker 20 June 1985 9 Samoa Samoa A
Viliamu Afatia Prop 24 May 1990 6 France Agen
Jake Grey Prop 17 February 1984 1 Samoa Samoa A
James Johnston Prop 6 March 1986 14 England Saracens
Logovi'i Mulipola Prop 11 March 1987 17 England Leicester Tigers
Anthony Perenise Prop 18 October 1982 19 England Bristol
Aniseko Sio Prop 1 September 1992 1 England Leicester Tigers
Sakaria Taulafo Prop 29 January 1983 31 France Stade Français
Fa'atiga Lemalu Lock 17 April 1989 12 Japan Munakata Sanix Blues
Daniel Leo Lock 2 October 1982 39 England London Irish
Maselino Paulino Lock 21 June 1988 5 Samoa Samoa A
Filo Paulo Lock 6 November 1987 13 Wales Cardiff Blues
Joe Tekori Lock 17 December 1983 28 France Toulouse
Kane Thompson Lock 9 January 1982 31 England Newcastle Falcons
Oneone Fa'afou Flanker 2 June 1992 1 Samoa Samoa A
Maurie Fa'asavalu Flanker 12 January 1980 24 France Oyonnax
Alafoti Faosiliva Flanker 28 October 1985 12 England Bath
Francis Ieremia Flanker 17 November 1992 0 Samoa Samoa A
Jack Lam Flanker 18 November 1987 11 England Bristol
Faifili Levave Flanker 15 January 1986 3 Japan Toyota Verblitz
Peter Semeane Flanker 12 December 1988 1 Samoa Samoa A
Ofisa Treviranus Flanker 31 March 1984 31 England London Irish
TJ Ioane Number 8 9 May 1989 2 England Sale Sharks
Peter Saili Number 8 4 January 1988 0 France Bordeaux Bègles
Taiasina Tuifu'a Number 8 20 August 1984 16 France Bordeaux Bègles
Sanele Vavae Tuilagi Number 8 15 June 1988 0 France Carcassonne
Vavao Afemai Scrum-half 18 February 1992 2 Samoa Samoa A
Pele Cowley Scrum-half 16 April 1993 2 New Zealand Auckland Development
Kahn Fotuali'i Scrum-half 22 May 1982 22 England Northampton Saints
Jack Taulapapa Scrum-half 0 New Zealand Wellington Development
Patrick Fa’apale Fly-half 5 March 1991 1 Samoa Samoa A
Tusi Pisi Fly-half 18 June 1982 20 Japan Suntory Sungoliath
Michael Stanley Fly-half 29 December 1989 3 Ireland Ulster
Faialaga Afamasaga Centre 5 March 1989 0 Samoa Samoa A
Faleniu Iosi Centre 0 Samoa Samoa A
Rey Lee-Lo Centre 1 March 1986 2 New Zealand Hurricanes
Alapati Leiua Centre 21 September 1988 10 England Wasps
Johnny Leota Centre 21 January 1984 15 England Sale Sharks
George Pisi Centre 29 June 1986 17 England Northampton Saints
Winston Stanley Centre 11 February 1989 2 New Zealand Northland
Anitelea Tuilagi Centre 5 June 1986 17 England Newcastle Falcons
Paul Williams Centre 22 April 1983 18 France Stade Français
Alofa Alofa Wing 12 March 1991 1 France La Rochelle
David Lemi Wing 10 February 1982 42 England Bristol
Paul Perez Wing 26 July 1986 7 South Africa Sharks
Ken Pisi Wing 24 February 1989 5 England Northampton Saints
Sinoti Sinoti Wing 9 September 1985 2 England Newcastle Falcons
Henry Suau’u Wing 0 Samoa Samoa A
Sailosi Tagicakibau Wing 14 November 1982 21 England Wasps
Alesana Tuilagi Wing 24 February 1981 29 England Newcastle Falcons
Fa'atoina Autagavaia Fullback 18 September 1988 13 France Nevers
Titi Esau Fullback 13 December 1988 4 Samoa Samoa A
Tim Nanai-Williams Wing 12 June 1989 0 New Zealand Chiefs
Ahsee Tuala Fullback 23 August 1989 1 England Northampton Saints

Individual all-time records

Most caps

# Player Pos Span Mat Start Sub Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop Won Lost Draw %
1. Brian Lima Wing 1991–2007 64 61 3 140 29 0 0 0 31 31 2 50.00
2. To'o Vaega Centre 1986–2001 61 56 5 71 12 4 3 0 35 25 1 58.19
3. Semo Sititi Flanker 1999–2009 59 50 9 85 17 0 0 0 33 26 0 55.93
4. Census Johnston Prop 2005– 47 36 11 20 4 0 0 0 22 24 1 47.87
5. Opeta Palepoi Lock 1998–2005 43 30 13 10 2 0 0 0 24 19 0 55.81
6. David Lemi Wing 2004– 42 34 8 55 11 0 0 0 19 22 1 46.42
7. Mahonri Schwalger Hooker 2000–11 40 33 7 20 4 0 0 0 18 22 0 45.00
8. Daniel Leo Wing 2005– 39 33 6 0 0 0 0 0 22 16 1 57.69
9. Steve So'oialo Scrum-half 1998–2007 38 31 7 25 5 0 0 0 18 20 0 47.36
10. Andrew Aiolupo Fullback 1983–1994 36 36 0 83 3 21 9 0 21 14 1 59.72

Last updated: Georgia vs Samoa, 23 November 2013. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[12]

Most tries

# Player Pos Span Mat Start Sub Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop
1. Brian Lima Wing 1991–2007 64 61 3 140 29 0 0 0
2. Semo Sititi Flanker 1999–2009 59 50 9 85 17 0 0 0
Alesana Tuilagi Wing 2002–2013 29 27 2 85 17 0 0 0
4. Afato So'oalo Wing 1996–2001 20 18 2 75 15 0 0 0
5. Lome Fa'atau Wing 2000–2007 35 31 4 70 14 0 0 0
6. To'o Vaega Centre 1986–2001 61 56 5 71 12 4 3 0
7. David Lemi Wing 2004– 42 34 8 55 11 0 0 0
8. George Leaupepe Centre 1995–2005 26 23 3 50 10 0 0 0
9. Elvis Seveali'i Centre 2000–2007 20 16 4 45 9 0 0 0
10. 3 players on 7 tries

Last updated: Georgia vs Samoa, 23 November 2013. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[13]

Most points

# Player Pos Span Mat Start Sub Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop
1. Earl Va'a Fly-half 1996–2003 28 24 4 172 3 32 31 0
2. Silao Leaega Fullback 1997–2002 19 16 3 145 2 21 31 0
3. Brian Lima Wing 1991–2007 64 61 3 140 29 0 0 0
4. Darren Kellett Fly-half 1993–1995 13 13 0 137 2 14 31 2
Tusi Pisi Fly-half 2011– 20 19 1 137 1 12 34 2
6. Roger Warren Fly-half 2004–08 12 9 3 119 0 13 29 2
7. Gavin Williams Centre 2007–10 16 14 2 106 5 18 15 0
8. Tanner Vili Fly-half 1999–2006 31 26 5 99 4 20 13 0
9. Semo Sititi Flanker 1999–2009 59 50 9 85 17 0 0 0
Alesana Tuilagi Wing 2002–2013 29 27 2 85 17 0 0 0

Last updated: Georgia vs Samoa, 23 November 2013. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[14]

Most points in a match

# Player Pos Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop Opposition Venue Date
1. Gavin Williams Centre 30 2 10 0 0  Papua New Guinea Samoa Apia 11/07/2009
2. Roger Warren Fly-half 24 0 0 8 0  Tonga Samoa Apia 29/05/2004
3. Andrew Aiolupo Fullback 23 1 8 1 0  South Korea Japan Tokyo 08/04/1990
Silao Leaega Fullback 23 1 3 4 0  Japan Wales Wrexham 03/10/1999
Toa Samania Fullback 23 1 3 4 0  Italy Samoa Apia 08/07/2000
6. Darren Kellett Fly-half 22 0 2 5 1  Tonga Samoa Moamoa 04/06/1994
7. To'o Vaega Centre 21 1 4 3 0  Fiji Samoa Apia 01/06/1991
Earl Va'a Fly-half 21 1 5 2 0  Georgia Australia Perth 19/10/2003
Roger Warren Fly-half 21 0 3 4 1  Fiji Samoa Apia 09/07/2005
10. 5 players on 20 points

Last updated: Georgia vs Samoa, 23 November 2013. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[15]

Most tries in a match

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

Last updated: Georgia vs Samoa, 23 November 2013. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[13]

Most matches as captain

# Player Pos Span Mat Won Lost Draw % Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop
1. Semo Sititi Flanker 2000–2007 39 19 20 0 48.71 45 9 0 0 0
2. Pat Lam Number 8 1995–1999 23 8 13 2 39.13 10 2 0 0 0
3. Peter Fatialofa Prop 1990–1995 16 11 5 0 68.75 9 2 0 0 0
4. Mahonri Schwalger Hooker 2009–2011 13 5 8 0 38.46 0 0 0 0 0
5. David Lemi Wing 2012– 12 7 4 1 62.50 25 5 0 0 0
6. George Stowers Number 8 2008–2009 7 4 3 0 57.14 10 2 0 0 0
7. Filipo Levi Lock 2008–2011 3 1 2 0 33.33 0 0 0 0 0
Taufusi Salesa Centre 1984–1987 3 0 3 0 0.00 10 0 2 2 0
Paul Williams Centre 2013 3 2 1 0 66.66 19 1 4 2 0
10. 9 players on 2 matches

Last updated: Georgia vs Samoa, 23 November 2013. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[16]

Youngest players

# Player Pos Age Opposition Venue Date
1. Anitele'a Tuilagi Centre 19 years and 27 days  Tonga Samoa Apia 02/07/2005
2. Carl Manu (Centre) 19 years and 59 days  Fiji Samoa Apia 01/06/2002
3. Brian Lima Centre 19 years and 123 days  Tonga Tonga Nuku'alofa 28/05/1991
4. Va'a Tasi Wing 19 years and 136 days  Fiji Fiji Suva 04/07/1981
5. Esera Puleitu Fly-half 19 years and 149 days  South Africa South Africa Johannesburg 13/04/1995
6. Na'ama Leleimalefaga (Prop) 19 years and 180 days  Fiji Samoa Apia 19/05/2007
7. Roysiu Tolufale (Prop) 19 years and 271 days  New Zealand New Zealand New Plymouth 03/09/2008
8. Lio Falaniko Flanker 19 years and 273 days  Tonga Samoa Apia 17/06/1990
Timoteo Iosua Fullback 19 years and 273 days  Japan New Zealand New Plymouth 17/06/2006
10. Mussolini Schuster Wing 19 years and 342 days  Scotland Scotland Murrayfield 18/11/2000

Last updated: South Africa vs Samoa, 22 June 2013. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[17]

Oldest players

# Player Pos Age Opposition Venue Date
1. Peter Fatialofa Prop 37 years and 85 days  Fiji Fiji Suva 20/07/1996
2. To'o Vaega (Centre) 36 years and 86 days  Ireland Republic of Ireland Lansdowne Road 11/11/2001
3. Brian Lima Centre 35 years and 240 days  England France Nantes 22/09/2007
4. John Schuster Centre 35 years and 160 days  United States Samoa Apia 26/06/1999
5. Semo Sititi Number 8 35 years and 134 days  Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea Port Moresby 18/07/2009
6. Afa Leu'u Prop 34 years and 315 days  Ireland Republic of Ireland Lansdowne Road 12/11/1996
7. Maurie Fa'asavalu Flanker 34 years and 314 days  England England Twickenham 22/11/2014
8. Jeremy Tomuli Prop 34 years and 247 days  Japan New Zealand New Plymouth 17/06/2006
9. Tani Fuga (Hooker) 34 years and 64 days  Tonga France Montpellier 16/09/2007
10. Mark Birtwistle Lock 34 years and 26 days  Ireland Republic of Ireland Lansdowne Road 12/11/1996

Last updated: South Africa vs Samoa, 22 June 2013. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[18]

Samoan players representing other international teams

List of players from the past & present that are Samoan descent or part Samoan descent that were born in Samoa or in foreign countries that have represented and played for other international teams.

Australia (Wallabies)

England

Fiji (The Flying Fijians)

Japan (The Brave Blossoms)

New Zealand (All Blacks)

Notes

  1. ↑ Although he has 30 total tries for Samoa, one was not against a Test side. For a more complete discussion of this issue, with sources, see List of leading Rugby union Test try scorers
  2. ↑ We quit: SRU Samoa Observer
  3. ↑ Rattue, Chris (13 March 2004). "Michael Fay plans two-day talks on Pasifika proposal". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 7 November 2011.
  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. ↑ "Samoa qualify for 2011 World Cup". BBC Sport. 18 July 2009. Retrieved 4 August 2009.
  6. ↑ Samoa shock Australia with 32–23 win in Sydney BBC Sport, 17 July 2011
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "All those born abroad". Planet Rugby. Archived from the original on 11 October 2007. Retrieved 2 October 2007.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "World Rankings". World Rugby. Retrieved 23 March 2015.
  9. ↑ Samoa rugby statistics
  10. ↑ Samoa has awarded international caps for several games against national XV selections and A and B national teams.
  11. ↑
  12. ↑ http://stats.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/records/player/most_matches.html?id=15;type=team
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 http://stats.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/records/player/most_tries_match.html?id=15;type=team
  14. ↑ http://stats.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/records/player/most_points.html?id=15;type=team
  15. ↑ http://stats.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/records/player/most_points_match.html?id=15;type=team
  16. ↑ http://stats.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/records/player/most_matches_captain.html?id=15;type=team
  17. ↑ http://stats.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/records/player/youngest_appearance.html?id=15;type=team
  18. ↑ http://stats.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/records/player/oldest_appearance.html?id=15;type=team

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Samoa national rugby union team.

External links