Samoa national rugby union team

The Samoa national rugby union team (also known as Manu Samoa) represents Samoa in men's international rugby union and it is governed by the Samoa 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 quarter-finals. 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

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 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 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.[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 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.[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

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

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 Samoa Wales 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: France Patrick Robin (France)
13 October 1991 Argentina  12–35 Samoa Samoa Wales 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 Samoa 34–9  Wales Samoa Moamoa  
Try: Lam
Lima (2)
Con: Kellett (2)
Pen: Kellett (5)
Report Pen: N Jenkins (3)
Referee: Australia Barry Leask (Australia)
27 May 1995 Italy  18–42 Samoa Samoa South Africa 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: France Joel Dume (France)
30 May 1995 Argentina  26–32 Samoa Samoa South Africa 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: New Zealand Dave Bishop (New Zealand)
12 November 1996 Ireland  25–40 Samoa Samoa Ireland 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: Argentina Santiago Borsani (Argentina)
14 October 1999 Wales  31–38 Samoa Samoa Wales 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: England Ed Morrison (England)
8 July 2000 Samoa Samoa 43–24  Italy Samoa 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: South Africa Tappe Henning (South Africa)
24 November 2001 Italy  9–17 Samoa Samoa Italy Stadio Tommaso Fattori, L'Aquila  
Pen: Domínguez (3)
Report Try: Fa'atau
Pen: Leaega (2)
Vili (2)
Attendance: 8,000
Referee: Wales Robert G. Davies (Wales)
3 December 2005 Argentina  12–28 Samoa Samoa Argentina Buenos Aires  
Try: Agulla
Fernández Lobbe
Con: Fernández Miranda
Report Try: Johnston
Sititi
Tagicakibau
Con: Warren (2)
Pen: Warren (2)
Drop: Warren
Referee: Wales Nigel Owens (Wales)
17 July 2011 Australia  23–32 Samoa Samoa Australia 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: South Africa Marius Jonker (South Africa)
16 November 2012 Wales  19–26 Samoa Samoa Wales 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: France Pascal Gauzère (France)
8 June 2013 Samoa Samoa 27–17  Scotland South Africa 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: Ireland John Lacey (Ireland)
15 June 2013 Samoa Samoa 39–10  Italy South Africa 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: South Africa Craig Joubert (South Africa)
14 June 2014 Samoa  15–0  Italy Samoa 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

Top 20 as of 23 October 2023[10]
RankChange*TeamPoints
1 Steady South Africa092.79
2 Steady New Zealand091.56
3 Steady Ireland090.57
4 Steady France087.81
5 Steady England083.72
6 Steady Scotland083.43
7 Steady Argentina082.42
8 Steady Wales080.64
9 Steady Australia077.48
10 Steady Fiji076.38
11 Steady Italy075.93
12 Steady Japan074.27
13 Steady Portugal072.78
14 Steady Georgia072.68
15 Steady Samoa072.23
16 Steady Tonga071.57
17 Steady Uruguay067.39
18 Steady United States066.22
19 Steady Spain064.05
20 Steady Romania063.28
21 Steady Namibia060.56
22 Steady Chile060.49
23 Steady Canada060.46
24 Steady Hong Kong059.80
25 Steady Russia058.06
26 Steady Brazil056.35
27 Steady Netherlands055.84
28 Steady  Switzerland055.72
29 Steady Belgium054.58
30 Steady South Korea053.46
* Change from the previous week
Samoa's historical rankings
See or edit source data.
Source: World Rugby[10]
Graph updated to 23 October 2023

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
 Argentina532060%121101+20
 Australia615016.66%73238−165
 Australia A1100100.00%3126+5
 Barbarians10100.00%2427−3
 Belgium1100100.00%378+29
 Canada6600100.00%169103+66
 Chile1100100.00%4310+33
 Cook Islands3300100.00%10231+71
 England90900.00%131310−179
 Fiji552131341.18%9631102−139
 Fiji XV30300.00%2058−38
 France40400.00%49156−107
 Georgia623133.33%135110+25
 Germany2200100.00%10843+65
 Ireland817012.5%121273−152
 Italy853062.5%192158+34
 Japan18126066.67%547361+186
 South Korea1100100.00%747+67
 Namibia2200100.00%8925+64
 New Caledonia1100100.00%286+22
 New Zealand70700.00%72411−339
 Papua New Guinea2200100.00%18819+169
 Romania312033.33%5949+10
 Russia1100100.00%349+25
 Scotland1211018.33%193332−139
 South Africa90900.00%99431−332
 Spain1100100.00%2810+18
 Tahiti1100100.00%3311+22
 Tonga693827455.07%12911028+263
 United States752071.42%156128+28
 Uruguay1100100.00%6013+47
 Wales1046040.00%180235−55
 West Germany1100100.00%549+45
Total265119137944.91%54955838−333

World Cup record

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
AustraliaNew Zealand 1987Not invitedNot invited
United KingdomIrelandFrance 1991Quarter-finals42026072330012321
South Africa 1995Quarter-finals4202110130Automatically qualified
Wales 1999Play-off420211710731025971
Australia 2003Pool Stage420213811743019658
France 2007Pool Stage420269143430113378
New Zealand 2011Pool Stage42029149220018819
England 2015Pool stage410369124Automatically qualified
Japan 2019Pool stage4103581286303196147
France 2023Pool stage4103927522007928
Australia 2027to be determinedQualification not started
United States 2031
Total 9/10 36 15 0 21 804 977 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

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.

TournamentWonDrawnLostSamoa finish
20062022nd / 5
20073023rd / 6
20082033rd / 6
20092023rd / 5
20102011st / 4
20111023rd / 4
20123001st / 4
2013DNP
20141101st / 3
20152102nd / 6
20161012nd / 3
20170023rd / 3
20180024th / 4
20191024th / 6
20223001st / 4
20232012nd / 4
Total252204 titles

Players

Current squad

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

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

Player records

Most caps

# Player Pos Span Mat Start Sub Won Lost Draw %
1Brian LimaWing1991–2007656233231250.76
2To'o VaegaCentre1986–2001615653525158.19
3Semo SititiFlanker1999–2009595093326055.93
4Census JohnstonProp2005–20175743142531144.73
5David LemiWing2004–2017544682131240.74
6Jack LamFlanker2013-443951428241.66
Zak TaulafoProp2009–2016443952022247.72
8Opeta PalepoiLock1998–20054330132419055.81
9Tusi PisiFly-half2011–2019423841526136.90
Ofisa TreviranusFlanker2009–20184232151724141.66

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

Most tries

# Player Pos Span Mat Start Sub Pts Tries
1Brian LimaWing1991–20076562314029
2Alesana TuilagiWing2002–2015373529018
3Semo SititiFlanker1999–2009595098517
4Afato So'oaloWing1996–2001201828016
5Lome Fa'atauWing2000–2007353147014
To'o VaegaCentre1986–2001615657914
7David LemiWing2004–2017544686513
8Ed FidowWing2018–present201646012
9George LeaupepeCentre1995–2005262335010
10Tupo Fa'amasinoCentre1988–199620200529
Alapati LeiuaCentre2013–202234313459
Elvis Seveali'iCentre2000–200720164459

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

Most points

# Player Pos Span Mat Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop
1Tusi PisiFly-half2011–201942245229572
2Earl Va'aFly-half1996–200328174333310
3Silao LeaegaFullback1997–200219145221310
4Brian LimaWing1991–20076514029000
5Darren KellettFly-half1993–199513137214312
6Roger WarrenFly-half2004–200812119013292
7Gavin WilliamsCentre2007–201016106518150
8Tanner ViliFly-half1999–20063199420130
9Alesana TuilagiWing2002–2015379018000
10Andrew AiolupoFullback1983–19943789321110

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

Most matches as captain

# Player Pos Span Mat Won Lost Draw % Pts Tries
1Semo SititiFlanker2000–2007391920048.71459
2Pat LamNumber 81995–199923813239.13102
3David LemiWing2012–201721910247.61357
4Peter FatialofaProp1990–199516115068.7592
5Mahonri SchwalgerHooker2009–20111358038.4600
6Chris VuiLock2017–present1147037.5051
7Michael Ala'alatoaProp2019-present1082077.0000
8Jack LamFlanker2018–2019918012.50153
9George StowersNumber 82008–2009743057.14102
10Kahn Fotuali'iScrum-half2013–201740400.0030
Ofisa TreviranusNumber 82015413025.0051
Alesana TuilagiWing2015421162.5051

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

Most points in a match

# Player Pos Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop Opposition Venue Date
1Gavin WilliamsCentre3021000 Papua New GuineaSamoa Apia11/07/2009
2Roger WarrenFly-half240080 TongaSamoa Apia29/05/2004
3Andrew AiolupoFullback231810 South KoreaJapan Tokyo08/04/1990
Silao LeaegaFullback231340 JapanWales Wrexham03/10/1999
Toa SamaniaFullback231340 ItalySamoa Apia08/07/2000
6Darren KellettFly-half220251 TongaSamoa Moamoa04/06/1994
Ahsee TualaFullback222600 GermanyGermany Heidelberg14/07/2018
8To'o VaegaCentre211430 FijiSamoa Apia01/06/1991
Earl Va'aFly-half211520 GeorgiaAustralia Perth19/10/2003
Roger WarrenFly-half210341 FijiSamoa Apia09/07/2005

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

Most tries in a match

# Player Pos Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop Opposition Venue Date
1Elvis Seveali'iWing204000 JapanSamoa Apia10/06/2000
Alesana TuilagiWing204000 TongaSamoa Apia02/07/2005
Esera LauinaWing204000 Papua New GuineaSamoa Apia11/07/2009
Robert LilomaiavaWing204000 CanadaWales Colwyn Bay09/11/2012
5Tupo Fa'amasinoWing123000 South KoreaJapan Tokyo08/04/1990
Brian LimaCentre123000 FijiSamoa Apia01/06/1991
Afato So'oaloWing153000 TongaSamoa Apia28/06/1997
Dominic Feau'natiWing153000 NamibiaNamibia Windhoek12/07/2003
Mikaele PesaminoWing153000 Papua New GuineaPapua New Guinea Port Moresby18/07/2009
Alesana TuilagiWing153000 NamibiaNew Zealand Rotorua14/09/2011
Ed FidowWing153000 GermanySamoa Apia30/06/2018

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

Coaches

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

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. 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

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

Notes

  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.
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