Samoa national rugby league team

Not to be confused with American Samoa national rugby league team.

Samoa

Nickname	Toa Samoa
Governing body	Samoan Rugby League
Region	Oceania
Head coach	Steve Price
Captain	Tony Puletua
Home stadium	National Stadium
RLIF ranking	10th
Colours
First international
Western Samoa 34-12 Tokelau (Rarotonga, Cook Islands; 1986)
Biggest win
New Caledonia 0 - 76 Samoa (Apia, Samoa; 20 October 2004)
Biggest defeat
Australia 66 - 10 Samoa (Watford, England; 11 November 2000)
World Cup
Appearances	3 (first time in 1995)
Best result	Quarter-finals 2000

The Samoa rugby league team represents Samoa in rugby league football and has been participating in international competition since 1986. From 1986 to 1997 this team was known as the Western Samoa rugby league team. The team has recently been nicknamed Toa Samoa.

History

Western Samoa has participated in the Pacific Cup (1986–), World Sevens (1994, 1995, 2003), Super League World Nines (1996, 1997), World Cup (since 1995) and Pacific Rim (2004) competitions. Since 1998 the team has been known as Samoa.

Early years

Western Samoa made their debut in the 1986 Pacific Cup.

Suani and Lyndsay Stowers operated Samoa Rugby League out of their North Shore home in Auckland and from the Richmond Rugby League Club house where Lyndsay ran the canteen. This resilient couple were known to have put a mortgage on their home to assist funding to ensure that 30 men represented Samoa in Tonga for the 1990 Pacific Cup.^{[citation needed]} This commitment lead to a historical win over the Maori team for the first time and won the 1990 Pacific Cup. Coached by the Richmond Bulldogs Head Coach, Steve Kaiser, the Western Samoan team put Samoan rugby league on the map.

Samoa then won the 1992 Pacific Cup over Tonga in an action filled thriller that went into 2 overtimes and sent the NZ Rugby League and Polynesian rugby league public into a frenzy. The 1992 Tournament showcased all of NZ Rugby league talent and Australian Rugby league scouts were already booked to witness the 1994 Pacific Cup held in Fiji.

In 1993 Western Samoa were invited to the International Coca-Cola Sevens in Sydney. With Auckland based Samoan players such as Mark Elia, Tony Tuimavave, Tony Tatupu, Faausu Afoa and Des Maea followed by a group of up and coming players such as Matthew TuiSamoa, Lionel Perera, Aleki Maea, Paki Tuimavave, Joe Vagana, Sefo Fuimaono and Peter Lima, the team beat the Canberra Raiders and the Great Brittan International team. Coached by the Richmond Bulldogs' Head Coach Steve Kaiser, this team gave Samoa the status to create the strong foundation Western Samoa Rugby League needed to move forward. Below this strong foundation however was the strength and commitment of two people- Suani and Lyndsay Stowers, it must be noted and acknowledged that these two people held together the concept of Samoa Rugby League and without their dream, Samoa RL will not be where it is today.^{[citation needed]}

Steve Kaiser in his 6th year as the Samoan Coach had an array of NZ based quality players for the 1994 Pacific Cup with the likes of Se'e Solomona, Tony Tatupu, the Tuimavave brothers Paki and Tony plus the loyal players of Mike Setefano, Matthew TuiSamoa, Alex Tupou and Mark Faumuina. Henry Suluvale and Rudy David led the contingent of first class players from Canterbury however this arsenal were well contained by the Tongan stars Jim Dymmic, John Hopoate and Albert Fulivae.

Late 1990s

The 1995 Samoan team had the benefit of ex-All Blacks John Schuster and Va'aiga Tuigamala in their backline. When rugby union went professional players such as Apollo Perelini and Fereti Tuilagi left rugby league to return to the 15-man game.

Samoa lost the Pacific Cup in 1996.

The 1998 Pacific Cup team saw a new and old talent. Joe Raymond, one of the first Samoan Rugby League Rep coaches returned after coaching Tonga and the NZ Maori, the late Eddie Poching managed the team and the introduction of Francis Meli to Samoan Rugby League and Junior Papalii a loyal American Samoan Representative. Pati Tuimavave from the 1992 squad and Matthew TuiSamoa, the only survivor from 1990 Pacific Cup champion team returned. Samoa battled Tonga for the 1998 Pacific Cup again at Carlaw park and again Samoa regained the Pacific Champions Title.

2000s

The Pacific Cup was taken to Australia's Gold Coast in 2000 where Auckland coach John Ackland took over the reins. Ackland added another dimension to Samoa Rugby League and introduced rising stars, Wayne McDade and Itikeri Sapau-Citran (Schmidt), Tino Brown, Johnny Baker, Louie Talamavoa and bought Matthew TuiSamoa back into the Pacific Cup arena.

2008 Rugby League World Cup campaign

Samoa played in the Pacific Pool of the 2008 Rugby League World Cup Qualifiers. They beat the Cook Islands and Fiji, but lost to Tonga. On a points difference, Samoa came in third and had to play USA in the Repecharge Semi Final. Samoa won this match 42-10 and then played Lebanon on 14 November 2007 in the Repecharge Final to see who would take the 10th and final World Cup place. Samoa came out eventual winners of the 10th and final 2008 Rugby League World Cup place beating Lebanon 38-16 at the Chris Moyles Stadium, Featherstone.

2011 Squad

2011 Samoa squad
First team squad								Coaching staff
1 Quentin Togaga'e - FB 2 Francis Meli - WG 3 George Carmont - CE 4 Willie Isa - CE 5 Matt Utai - WG 6 Joseph Paulo - FE 7 Pita Godinet - HB 8 Tony Puletua (c) - PR 9 Masada Iosefa - HK 10 Mark Taufua - PR 11 Harrison Hansen - SR 12 David Solomona - SR 13 David Faiumu - LK		14 Josh McGuire - PR 15 Ali Lauitiiti - SR 16 Terence Seu Seu - HK 17 Constantine Mika - SR 18 Daniel Vidot - SH 19 Taulima Tautai - WG 20 Ben Roberts - FE 21 Frank Winterstein - CE 22 Evarn Tuimavave - PR 23 Kyle Stanley - FE 24 Frank Pritchard - SR 25 Matt Wright - CE 26 Sam Tagataese - PR		27 Eddy Pettybourne - SR 36 Peter Matautia - SR 29 Martin Taupau - PR 30 Tim Simona - FB 31 Tanielu Pasene - LK 32 Vailoa Kereti - WG 33 David Masoe - SR 34 Teofilo Lepou - FE 35 Tupu Ulufale - WG				Head coach Steve Price Legend: (c) Captain (vc) Vice captain Updated: 8 October 2011 Source(s): 2011 Test Squads

Notable Players & Coaches

John Ackland (World Cup 2008 Coach) Steve Kaiser Coach 1990 - 1994 Steve Kaiser 1986 Afi Ah Koui 1986 Andrew Ah Koui 1986 George Apelu 1986 Fa'ausu Afoa circa-1995 Wing Afoa 1990 - 1994 Isaak Ah Mau circa-2006 Monty Betham circa-2000 George Carmont circa-2008 Victors Charles Charlie circa-2008 Mark Elia circa-1995 Henry Fa'afili circa-2000 David Faiumu circa-2008 Max Fala circa-2000 Maika Felise circa-2000 Beau Gallagher circa-2000 Joe Galuvao circa-2000 Simon Geros circa-2000 Harrison Hansen circa-2008 Lolani Koko circa-1995 Vae Kololo circa-2000 Shane Laloata circa-2000 Ali Lauitiiti circa-2008

Brian Laumatia circa-1995 Mark Leafa circa-2000 Brian Leauma circa-2000 Tuaalagi Lepupa circa-2008 Kylie Leuluai circa-2008 Danny Lima circa-2006 Jeff Lima circa-2006 Jamahl Lolesi circa-2000 Graham Lowe (World Cup 1995 coach) Chan Ly circa-2006 Des Maea circa-1995 Hutch Maiava circa-2006 Gus Maietoa-Brown circa-1995 Vila Matautia circa-1995 Rusty Matua 1990 Chris Magele 1998 - 2000 Wayne McDade circa-2008 Robert Moimoi 1986 Francis Meli circa-2000/2008 Laloa Milford circa-2000 Paul Okesene 1986 Lafu Papalii 1986 - 1990 Junior Papalii 1998 Sam Panapa circa-1995 Joseph Paulo circa-2008 Apollo Perelini circa-1995

Fred Petersen circa-2000 Robert Piva circa-1995 Willie Poching circa-1995/2000 (World Cup 2000 Captain) Frank Puletua circa-2000/2008 Tony Puletua circa-2008 Ben Roberts circa-2008 Tangi Ropati circa-2008 Tea Ropati circa-1995 Smith Samau circa-2008 Itikeri Sapau-Citran circa-2006 John Schuster circa-1995 (World Cup 1995 Captain) Mike Setefano circa-1995 Dave Sefuiva 1986 Lagi Setu circa-2008 Jerry Seu Seu circa-2000 Terrence Seu Seu circa-2008 David Solomona circa-2000/2008 Malo Solomona circa-2006 Se'e Solomona circa-1995 Fou Solomona 1986 Miguel Start circa-2006 Shannon Stowers circa-2006 Henry Suluvale circa-1995 Anthony Swann circa-2000 Willie Swann circa-1995/2000

Keneti Taogaga 1986 - 1990 Willie Talau circa-2008 Albert "Alby" Talipeau circa-2000/2008 Tony Tatupu circa-1995/2000 McConkie Tauasa circa-2006 Misi Taulapapa circa-2008 Ben Te'o circa-2008 Junior Tia-Kilifi circa-2006 Alex Tupou 1990 - 1994 Va'aiga Tuigamala circa-1995 Paddy Tuimavave circa-1992 Paki Tuimavave circa-1990s Tony Tuimavave 1990 - 1995 Matthew TuiSamoa 1990 - 2000 Tupu Ulufale circa-2008 Matt Utai circa-2008 Earl Va'a circa-1995 Chris Vaefaga circa-2006 Joe Vagana circa-1995 Nigel Vagana circa-1995/2008 (World Cup 2008 Captain) Gray Viane circa-2006 Darrell Williams (World Cup 2000 coach) Vincent Winterstein 1990 - 1994 Frank Winterstein circa-2006

International results

RLIF World Rankings
Top 27 Rankings as of November 2011
Rank	Change	Team	Points
1		Australia	1,406.00
2		New Zealand	991.00
3		England	799.00
4		Papua New Guinea	260.00
5		France	246.00
6	1	Wales	245.00
7		Fiji	145.00
8	2	Samoa	123.00
9		Tonga	82.00
10		Scotland	75.00
11	2	United States	65.00
12	1	Ireland	64.00
13	2	Italy	55.00
14		Lebanon	52.00
15	1	Serbia	46.00
16	4	Cook Islands	42.00
17	2	Russia	39.00
18		Norway	38.00
19	2	Germany	34.00
20		Malta	26.00
21		Canada	24.00
22	4	South Africa	23.00
23	2	Jamaica	20.00
24	2	Latvia	19.00
25		Ukraine	19.00
26		Czech Republic	14.00
27		Sweden	2.00
		Denmark	Unranked
		Hungary
		India
		Indonesia
		Japan
		Saudi Arabia
		Morocco
		Netherlands
		Pakistan
		Philippines
		Singapore

• Samoa def. Lebanon 38-16 (14 November 2007)
• Samoa def. USA 42-10 (9 November 2007)
• England def. Samoa 38-14 (5 November 2006)
• France def. Samoa 28-6 (29 October 2006)
• Tonga def. Samoa 18-10 (22 October 2006)
• Samoa def. Fiji 30-28 ( 2006)
• Samoa def. Cook Islands 46- ( 2006)
• Tokelau def. Samoa 34-28 (5 March 2006)
• Fiji def. Samoa 26-4 (23 February 2006)
• Tonga def. Samoa 34-20 (7 October 2005)
• Samoa def. Tonga 52-18 (23 October 2004)
• New Zealand Māori‎ def. Samoa 70-10 (21 October 2004)
• Samoa def. New Caledonia 76-0 (20 October 2004)
• Samoa def. Niue 36-18 (19 October 2004)
• Australia def. Samoa 66-10 (11 November 2000)
• Samoa def. Scotland 20-12 (5 November 2000)
• Samoa def. New Zealand Māori‎ 21-16 (1 November 2000)
• Ireland def. Samoa 30-16 (28 October 2000)
• Fiji def. Samoa 30-4 (1999)
• Samoa def. Fiji 6-1 (1999)
• Fiji def. Samoa 22-16 (1999)
• Tonga def. Samoa 24-8 (1998)
• Tonga def. Samoa 24-22 (1998)
• Samoa def. Niue 24-10 (1998)
• Samoa drew with Tonga 20-20 (1998)

Western Samoa

• New Zealand Māori‎s def. Western Samoa 39-16 (1996)
• Tonga def. Western Samoa (1996)
• Wales def. Western Samoa 22-10 (13 October 1995)
• Western Samoa def. France 56-10 (12 October 1995)
• Western Samoa def. Tonga 18-14 (31 October 1992)
• Western Samoa def. Australian Aborigines 44-26 (28 October 1992)
• Western Samoa def Niue 41-28 (1992)
• Western Samoa def. Cook Islands 66-12 (1992)
• Western Samoa def. Tonga 20-12 (1992)
• Western Samoa def. Fiji 32-18 (1992)
• Western Samoa def. New Zealand Māori‎s 26-18 (1990)
• Western Samoa def. Australian Aborigines 26-16 (1990)
• New Zealand Māori‎s def. Western Samoa 19-16 (1988)
• Western Samoa def. Tonga 40-30 (1988)
• Western Samoa def. Tokelau 40-18 (1988)
• Western Samoa def. Cook Islands 52-16 (1988)

New Zealand Māori 23 - 6 Western Samoa (1986)

• Tonga 4 - 46 Western Samoa (1986)
• Cook Islands 0 - 48 Western Samoa (1986)
• Tonga 34 - 16 Western Samoa (1986)
• Western Samoa 34 - 12 Tokelau (1986)

Super League World Nines results

• Western Samoa def. USA 30-1 (1997)
• Western Samoa def. USA 14-6 (1996)

Junior results

• Samoa U18 def. Fiji 18-10 (13 July 2008)
• Samoa U18 def. Australian Aborigines(19 July 2008)
• Samoa U18 def. Papa New Ginue(26 July 2008)
• Samoa U18 def. Tokelau 32-10(2 August 2008)
• Samoa U18 def. Cook Island 26-0(10 August 2008)
• Samoa U18 def. NZ Māori‎ 42-4 (16 August 2008)
• Samoa U18 def. Niue U18 32-12 (24 August 2008)
• Samoa U18 def. Tonga U18 16-12(31 August 2008)
• Samoa U18 def. NZ Māori‎ U18 56-10(5 October 2008)
• Samoa U18 def. Warriors development20-16(19 October 2008)

Junior Under 18's Squad 1st Xlll

• 1. Jermaine Carter Taito ( Glen Eden Bears )
• 2. Bruce Jones ( Habour )
• 3. Sam Leota ( Mt Albert Lions )
• 4. Lewis anapa ( Mt Albert Lions )
• 5. Tu Tu ( Mangere East )
• 6. Lawrence Hastings ( Manurewa Marlins )
• 7. Urica Lee Va'a (vc) ( otahuhu Leopards )
• 8. Paulo Va'a ( otahuhu Leopards )
• 9. Jerome Leatigaga ( Mangere East )
• 10. Zhane Filipo Williams ( Mangere East Hawks )
• 11. Brett Meredith ( Papakura Sea Eagles )
• 12. Gordan Vailoa (c) ( Mangere East Hawks )
• 13. Benjamen Kaisa Vai ( otahuhu Leopards )

See also

• Rugby league in Samoa
• Samoa national rugby union team

External links

• Official site of Rugby League Samoa
• Samoa Rugby League Fans Forums - RugbyLeague.org
• 2008 Rugby League World Cup Site