Samoa national rugby union team

Samoa
Nickname(s) Manu Samoa
Emblem Southern cross
Union Samoa Rugby Union
Head coach Vacant
Captain David Lemi
Most caps Brian Lima (64)
Top scorer Tusi Pisi (185)
Top try scorer Brian Lima (29)
Home stadium Apia Park
First colours
Second colours
World Rugby ranking
Current 14 (as of 21 November 2016)
Highest 7 (2013)
Lowest 15 (2016)
First international
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
Appearances 6 (First in 1991)
Best result Quarter-finals, 1991, 1995
Website www.manusamoa.com

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.[1] They are ranked 12th in the world.[2]

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. 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. The players 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. Fay Richwhite invested $5 million from 1995 to 2004 into Samoan rugby.[3][4]

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]

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
2015 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

Overall record

Top 30 rankings as of 21 August 2017[7]
RankChange*TeamPoints
1 Steady New Zealand 95.21
2 Steady England 90.14
3 Steady Ireland 85.39
4 Increase1 South Africa 84.51
5 Decrease1 Australia 84.21
6 Steady Scotland82.47
7 Steady Wales 81.73
8 Steady France 79.63
9 Increase1 Fiji 79.48
10 Decrease1 Argentina 79.15
11 Steady Japan 73.79
12 Steady Georgia 73.41
13 Steady Tonga 71.72
14 Steady Italy 71.00
15 Steady Romania 70.27
16 Steady Samoa 69.67
17 Steady United States 65.84
18 Steady Uruguay 63.15
19 Steady Spain 63.15
20 Steady Russia 63.13
21 Steady Namibia 61.40
22 Steady Germany 59.78
23 Steady Canada 59.47
24 Steady Hong Kong 58.85
25 Steady Kenya 57.36
26 Steady Portugal 57.26
27 Steady Belgium 56.94
28 Steady Chile 54.76
29 Steady Brazil 54.50
30 Steady  Switzerland 53.63
*Change from the previous week
Samoa's historical rankings
Source: World Rugby - Graph updated to 20 February 2017[7]

Below is table of the representative rugby matches played by a Samoa national XV at test level up until 17 July 2017.[8]

Opponent Played Won Lost Drawn Win % For Aga Diff
 Argentina 4 3 1 0 75% 111 82 +29
 Australia 5 1 4 0 20.00% 58 204 −146
 Belgium 1 1 0 0 100.00% 37 8 +29
 Canada 6 6 0 0 100.00% 169 103 +66
 England 7 0 7 0 0.00% 100 244 -144
 Fiji 51 20 28 3 39.22% 896 1015 -119
 Fiji XV 3 0 3 0 0.00% 20 58 -38
 France 4 0 4 0 0.00% 49 156 -107
 Georgia 4 1 2 1 25.00% 96 64 +32
 Ireland 6 1 5 0 16.67% 103 209 -106
 Italy 7 5 2 0 71.42% 175 109 +66
 Japan 15 11 4 0 73.33% 482 273 +209
 South Korea 1 1 0 0 100.00% 74 7 +67
 Namibia 2 2 0 0 100.00% 89 25 +64
 New Zealand 7 0 7 0 0.00% 72 411 -339
 Papua New Guinea 2 2 0 0 100.00% 188 19 +169
 Romania 1 0 1 0 0.00% 24 32 -8
 Scotland 10 1 8 1 10.00% 155 254 -99
 South Africa 9 0 9 0 0.00% 99 431 -332
 Tonga 63 33 26 4 52.38% 1101 928 +173
 United States 5 5 0 0 100.00% 117 85 +32
 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 225 99 117 9 44.00% 4509 4974 -465

Current squad

On 29 May, Alama Ieremia named a 35-man squad ahead of Samoa's 2017 June test against New Zealand (16 June) and their 2017 World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup / 2019 RWC Oceania qualification campaign in July.

Brother James and Jordan Lay was called up ahead of the Pacific Nations Cup as injury cover for Census Johnston and Viliamu Afatia.

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

Player Position Date of Birth (Age) Caps Club/province
Elia, EliaElia Elia Hooker (1996-01-22) January 22, 1996 5 England Harlequins
Lam, SeilalaSeilala Lam Hooker (1989-02-18) February 18, 1989 6 France Nevers
Leiataua, ManuManu Leiataua Hooker (1986-12-26) December 26, 1986 16 France Bayonne
Afatia, ViliamuViliamu Afatia Prop (1990-05-24) May 24, 1990 17 France Racing 92
Alo-Emile, PaulPaul Alo-Emile Prop (1991-12-22) December 22, 1991 4 France Stade Français
Johnston, CensusCensus Johnston Prop (1981-05-06) May 6, 1981 57 France Toulouse
Lay, JamesJames Lay Prop (1993-12-16) December 16, 1993 1 New Zealand Whakarewarewa
Lay, JordanJordan Lay Prop (1992-11-05) November 5, 1992 2 New Zealand Whakarewarewa
Leatigaga, NephiNephi Leatigaga Prop (1993-12-05) December 5, 1993 5 Italy Piacenza
Sasagi, HisaHisa Sasagi Prop (1987-06-29) June 29, 1987 1 New Zealand Southern RFC
Tauakipulu, BronsonBronson Tauakipulu Prop 1 New Zealand Northshore
Lemalu, Fa'atigaFa'atiga Lemalu Lock (1989-04-17) April 17, 1989 22 England Saracens
Tutaia, MasalosaloMasalosalo Tutaia Lock (1984-06-05) June 5, 1984 1 France Pau
Vui, ChrisChris Vui Lock (1993-02-11) February 11, 1993 5 England Worcester Warriors
Faʻasalele, PiulaPiula Faʻasalele Flanker (1988-01-22) January 22, 1988 9 France Toulouse
Fa'osiliva, AlafotiAlafoti Fa'osiliva Flanker (1985-10-28) October 28, 1985 23 England Worcester Warriors
Lam, JackJack Lam Flanker (1987-11-18) November 18, 1987 22 England Bristol
Levave, FaifiliFaifili Levave Flanker (1986-01-15) January 15, 1986 16 Japan Mitsubishi Dynaboars
Meafua, KellyKelly Meafua Flanker (1990-10-16) October 16, 1990 0 Australia West Harbour
Selesele, Fa’alemigaFa’alemiga Selesele Flanker (1989-02-28) February 28, 1989 5 Samoa Moataa
Taufale, GaluGalu Taufale Flanker (1987-03-17) March 17, 1987 3 New Zealand Poneke
Tuifu'au, TaiasinaTaiasina Tuifu'au Flanker (1984-08-20) August 20, 1984 19 France Lyon
Tuilagi, Sanele VavaeSanele Vavae Tuilagi Number 8 (1988-06-15) June 15, 1988 9 France Carcassonne
Faleali’i, AuvasaAuvasa Faleali’i Scrum-half (1990-02-09) February 9, 1990 2 France Nevers
Fotuali'i, KahnKahn Fotuali'i Scrum-half (1982-05-22) May 22, 1982 35 England Bath
Polataivao, DwayneDwayne Polataivao Scrum-half (1990-07-30) July 30, 1990 3 New Zealand Northcote RFC
Leuila, D'angeloD'angelo Leuila Fly-half (1997-01-18) January 18, 1997 8 New Zealand Papatoetoe RFC
Mealoi, TilaTila Mealoi Fly-half (1991-06-28) June 28, 1991 1 Samoa Apia Maroons
Pisi, TusiTusi Pisi Fly-half (1982-06-18) June 18, 1982 30 England Bristol
Fonotia, KieronKieron Fonotia Centre (1988-02-02) February 2, 1988 4 Wales Ospreys
Lee-Lo, ReyRey Lee-Lo Centre (1986-02-20) February 20, 1986 14 Wales Cardiff Blues
Leiua, AlapatiAlapati Leiua Centre (1988-09-21) September 21, 1988 15 England Wasps
Taefu, HenryHenry Taefu Centre (1993-04-02) April 2, 1993 1 Australia Queensland Reds
Lemi, DavidDavid Lemi (c) Wing (1982-02-10) February 10, 1982 51 England Bristol
Nanai-Williams, TimTim Nanai-Williams Wing (1989-06-12) June 12, 1989 8 New Zealand Chiefs
Pisi, KenKen Pisi Wing (1989-02-24) February 24, 1989 13 England Northampton Saints
Nikoro, AlbertAlbert Nikoro Fullback (1992-08-07) August 7, 1992 6 Australia West Scarborough
Tuala, AhseeAhsee Tuala Fullback (1989-08-23) August 23, 1989 7 England Northampton Saints

Individual all-time records

Most caps

# Player Pos Span Mat Start Sub Pts Tries Won Lost Draw %
1 Brian Lima Wing 1991–2007 64 61 3 140 29 31 31 2 50.00
2 To'o Vaega Centre 1986–2001 61 56 5 71 0 35 25 1 58.19
3 Semo Sititi Flanker 1999–2009 59 50 9 85 17 33 26 0 55.93
4 Census Johnston Prop 2005– 56 42 14 20 4 25 30 1 45.53
5 David Lemi Wing 2004– 50 42 8 60 12 21 27 2 44.00
6 Zak Taulafo Prop 2009- 44 39 5 5 20 22 2 47.72
7 Opeta Palepoi Lock 1998–2005 43 30 13 10 2 24 19 0 55.81
8 Mahonri Schwalger Hooker 2000–2011 40 33 7 20 4 18 22 0 45.00
9 Daniel Leo Lock 2005–2014 39 33 6 0 0 22 16 1 57.69
10 Steve So'oialo Scrum-half 1998–2007 38 31 7 25 5 18 20 0 47.36

Last updated: Tonga vs Samoa, 1 July 2017. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[9]

Most tries

# Player Pos Span Mat Start Sub Pts Tries
1 Brian Lima Wing 1991–2007 64 61 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 75 15
5 Lome Fa'atau Wing 2000–2007 35 31 4 70 14
6 To'o Vaega Centre 1986–2001 61 56 5 71 12
David Lemi Wing 2004– 50 42 8 60 12
8 George Leaupepe Centre 1995–2005 26 23 3 50 10
9 Elvis Seveali'i Centre 2000–2007 20 16 4 45 9
10. 3 players on 7 tries

Last updated: Tonga vs Samoa, 1 July 2017. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[10]

Most points

# Player Pos Span Mat Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop
1 Tusi Pisi Fly-half 2011– 26 185 2 14 47 2
2 Earl Va'a Fly-half 1996–2003 28 174 3 36 31 0
3 Silao Leaega Fullback 1997–2002 19 145 2 21 31 0
4 Brian Lima Wing 1991–2007 64 140 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 Semo Sititi Flanker 1999–2009 59 85 17 0 0 0

Last updated: Samoa v s Canada, 25 November 2016. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[11]

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. 6 players on 20 points

Last updated: Samoa vs Canada, 25 November 2016. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[12]

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: Scotland vs Samoa, 10 October 2015. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[10]

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. David Lemi Wing 2012– 18 9 7 2 55.55 30 6 0 0 0
4. Peter Fatialofa Prop 1990–1995 16 11 5 0 68.75 9 2 0 0 0
5. Mahonri Schwalger Hooker 2009–2011 13 5 8 0 38.46 0 0 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
Kahn Fotuali'i Scrum Half 2013-15 3 0 0 3 0.00 3 0 0 1 0

Last updated: Samoa vs Canada, 25 November 2016. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[13]

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. Toa Samania Fullback 19 years and 97 days  Wales Samoa Moamoa 28/05/1991
4. Siro Fuatai 19 years and 114 days  Tonga Samoa Apia 27/05/1972
5. Brian Lima Centre 19 years and 123 days  Tonga Tonga Nuku'alofa 28/05/1991
6. Va'a Tasi Wing 19 years and 136 days  Fiji Fiji Suva 04/07/1981
7. D'Angelo Leuila Fly-half 19 years and 145 days  Georgia Samoa Apia 11/06/2016
8. Esera Puleitu Fly-half 19 years and 149 days  South Africa South Africa Johannesburg 13/04/1995
9. Na'ama Leleimalefaga Prop 19 years and 180 days  Fiji Samoa Apia 19/05/2007
10. Lolani Koko Centre 19 years and 263 days  Tonga Tonga Suva 22/06/1983

Last updated: Samoa vs Georgia, 11 June 2016. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[14]

Oldest players

# Player Pos Age Opposition Venue Date
1. Peter Fatialofa Prop 37 years and 85 days  Fiji Fiji Suva 20/07/1996
2. Nu'uuli Lene Prop 36 years and 128 days  Georgia Samoa Apia 11/06/2016
3. To'o Vaega Centre 36 years and 86 days  Ireland Republic of Ireland Dublin 11/11/2001
4. Maurie Fa'asavalu Flanker 35 years and 271 days  Scotland England Newcastle 10/10/2015
4. Brian Lima Centre 35 years and 240 days  England France Nantes 22/09/2007
6. Cencus Johnston Prop 35 years and 203 days  Canada France Grenoble 25/11/2016
7. John Schuster Centre 35 years and 160 days  United States Samoa Apia 26/06/1999
8. Semo Sititi Number 8 35 years and 134 days  Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea Port Moresby 18/07/2009
9. Afa Leu'u Prop 34 years and 315 days  Ireland Republic of Ireland Dublin 12/11/1996
10. David Lemi Wing 34 years and 289 days  Canada France Grenoble 25/11/2016

Last updated: Samoa vs Canada, 25 November 2016. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[15]

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 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. In the 2007 World Cup there were 14 New Zealand-born players in the Samoan squad.[16] The only team with more foreign born players in their squad was Italy who had 15.[16]

Strips

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 incorpored into the jerseys.

1989-1998 Home
2007-2010 Home
2010-2012 Home
2010-2012 Away
2014 Home
2015 Rugby World Cup Home
2015 Rugby World Cup Away
2015-2016 Home
2016 Home
2016 Away

Kit Manufacturers

Shirt Manufacturers a

^a Sponsored logos appear on jerseys for matches other than the Rugby World Cup where branding, except for logos of equipment manufacturers, is not allowed.

^b Canterbury brand apparel was supplied for the 2014 end-of-year tour.

^c Sponsors worn during the Pasifika Challenge double-header.

See also

Notes

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