Samoa national rugby union team

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Samoa
Logo Samoa Rugby.svg
Union Samoa Rugby Union
Nickname(s) Manu Samoa
Emblem(s) the Southern Cross
Coach(es) Samoa 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 Manu Samoa is the men's representative side of the Samoa Rugby Union in both the 15's and the 7's for international competitions. The Samoa Rugby Union is owned by the affiliated rugby unions of Samoa. In Samoa, Manu Samoa is in honour of a famous Samoan warrior. From 1924 to 1997 Samoa was known and competed as Western Samoa. 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 7th 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. 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 worked hard to create a side able to compete effectively in the 2007 Rugby World Cup, where they were grouped with England, South Africa, Tonga and the USA. However, Samoa had a dismal World Cup campaign, defeating only the USA and finishing fourth in their group, which forced them to go through qualifying for the 2011 World Cup. The team however comfortably qualified with 188–19 aggregate win over Papua New Guinea. Jones resigned immediately after the World Cup; in January 2008, Niko Palamo, formerly the country's under-19 and sevens coach, was named as his replacement. He would later be replaced by former sevens coach Titimaea "Dicky" Tafua in 2009.[5]

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

Contents

History [edit]

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.[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]

The New Zealand connection [edit]

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[when?] 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.[citation needed]

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.[8] The only team with more foreign born players in their squad was Italy who had 15.[8]

World Cup record [edit]

Samoa performing their Siva Tau before playing South Africa at the 2007 Rugby World Cup
Main article: Samoa at the 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 [edit]

Overall record [edit]

Top 25 Rankings as of 15 April 2013[9]
Rank Change* Team Points
1 Steady  New Zealand 90.08
2 Steady  South Africa 86.94
3 Steady  Australia 86.87
4 Steady  England 83.72
5 Steady  Wales 83.36
6 Steady  France 81.59
7 Steady  Samoa 78.71
8 Steady  Argentina 78.71
9 Steady  Ireland 78.05
10 Steady  Scotland 76.86
11 Steady  Tonga 76.10
12 Steady  Italy 76.06
13 Steady  Fiji 71.52
14 Steady  Canada 71.41
15 Steady  Japan 70.09
16 Steady  United States 68.32
17 Steady  Georgia 67.66
18 Steady  Romania 65.82
19 Steady  Russia 62.34
20 Steady  Spain 60.44
21 Steady  Uruguay 59.37
22 Steady  Portugal 58.82
23 Steady  Namibia 58.45
24 Steady  Belgium 57.52
25 Increase1  Chile 57.02
*Change from the previous week
Samoa's Historical Rankings
Samoa IRB World Rankings.png
Source: IRB - Graph updated to 15 April 2013[9]

The Samoa team's Test match record against all of the nations, updated to 21 November 2012, is as follows:[10]

Team Mat Won Lost Draw  % For Aga Diff
 Argentina 4 3 1 0 75.00 111 82 +29
 Australia 5 1 4 0 20.00 58 204 -146
 Belgium 1 1 0 0 100.00 37 8 +29
 Canada 3 3 0 0 100.00 100 47 +53
 Cook Islands 3 3 0 0 100.00 102 31 +71
 England 6 0 6 0 0.00 91 216 -125
 Fiji 49 18 29 2 40.81 807 927 -120
 France 3 0 3 0 0.00 41 104 -63
 Georgia 1 1 0 0 100.00 46 9 +37
 Germany 1 1 0 0 100.00 54 9 +45
 Ireland 5 1 4 0 20.00 94 169 -75
 Italy 4 3 1 0 75.00 108 75 +33
 Japan 13 11 2 0 84.61 463 214 +249
 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 5 0 5 0 0.00 56 308 -252
 Papua New Guinea 2 2 0 0 100.00 188 19 +169
 Romania 1 0 1 0 0.00 24 32 -8
 Scotland 8 0 7 1 6.25 95 201 -106
 South Africa 7 0 7 0 0.00 70 329 -259
 Tahiti 1 1 0 0 100.00 33 11 +22
 Tonga 50 30 18 2 62.00 917 724 +193
 United States 3 3 0 0 100.00 71 53 +18
 Uruguay 1 1 0 0 100.00 60 13 +47
 Wales 9 4 5 0 44.44 163 212 -49
Total 189 92 92 5 50.00 3980 4035 -55






Current squad [edit]

On 6 May, Head Coach Stephen Betham announced a 31-man squad for the South Africa tour, featuring matches against Scotland, Italy and the Golden Lions.

Two players are still to be added to the squad: 1 back-row and 1 winger. [11]


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

Player Position Date of Birth (Age) Caps Club/province
Ole Avei Hooker (1983-06-13) 13 June 1983 (age 29) 10 France Bordeaux
Manu Leiatua Hooker (1986-12-26) 26 December 1986 (age 26) 0 New Zealand North Harbour
Ti'i Paulo Hooker (1983-01-13) 13 January 1983 (age 30) 13 France Clermont
Census Johnston Prop (1981-05-06) 6 May 1981 (age 32) 39 France Toulouse
James Johnston Prop (1986-03-06) 6 March 1986 (age 27) 7 England Harlequins
Logovi'i Mulipola Prop (1987-03-11) 11 March 1987 (age 26) 10 England Leicester Tigers
Sakaria Taulafo Prop (1983-01-29) 29 January 1983 (age 30) 21 England London Wasps
Daniel Leo Lock (1982-10-02) 2 October 1982 (age 30) 31 France Perpignan
Filo Paulo Lock (1987-11-06) 6 November 1987 (age 25) 3 Wales Cardiff Blues
Joe Tekori Lock (1983-12-17) 17 December 1983 (age 29) 25 France Castres
Kane Thompson Lock (1982-01-09) 9 January 1982 (age 31) 24 Japan Canon Eagles
Maurie Fa'asavalu Flanker (1980-01-12) 12 January 1980 (age 33) 19 England Harlequins
Jack Lam Flanker (1987-11-18) 18 November 1987 (age 25) 0 New Zealand Hurricanes
Faalemiga Selesele Flanker (1989-02-28) 28 February 1989 (age 24) 3 Samoa Moata’a
Ofisa Treviranus Flanker (1984-03-31) 31 March 1984 (age 29) 22 England London Irish
Alafoti Fa'osiliva Number 8 (1985-10-28) 28 October 1985 (age 27) 11 England Bristol
Taiasina Tuifu’a Number 8 (1984-08-20) 20 August 1984 (age 28) 9 England Newcastle Falcons
Auvasa Faleali'i Scrum-half (1990-02-09) 9 February 1990 (age 23) 0 Australia Waratahs
Kahn Fotuali'i Scrum-half (1982-05-22) 22 May 1982 (age 30) 14 Wales Ospreys
Jeremy Su'a Scrum-half (1988-11-10) 10 November 1988 (age 24) 8 New Zealand Tasman
Ki Anufe Fly-half (1987-04-12) 12 April 1987 (age 26) 5 New Zealand Marist Auckland
Tusi Pisi Fly-half (1982-06-18) 18 June 1982 (age 30) 10 New Zealand Hurricanes
Johnny Leota Centre (1984-01-21) 21 January 1984 (age 29) 5 England Sale Sharks
George Pisi Centre (1986-06-29) 29 June 1986 (age 26) 13 England Northampton Saints
Isaia Tuifua Centre (1987-08-24) 24 August 1987 (age 25) 0 Spain Vigo
Brando Va'aulu Centre (1987-05-03) 3 May 1987 (age 26) 0 Japan Tokyo Gas
Alapati Leiua Wing (1988-09-21) 21 September 1988 (age 24) 0 New Zealand Hurricanes
Robert Lilomaiava Wing (1992-03-28) 28 March 1992 (age 21) 2 Samoa Vaiala
Alesana Tuilagi Wing (1981-02-24) 24 February 1981 (age 32) 26 Japan NTT Shining Arcs
James So'oialo Fullback (1989-03-02) 2 March 1989 (age 24) 5 New Zealand Wellington Norths
Paul Williams Fullback (1983-04-22) 22 April 1983 (age 30) 15 France Stade Français

Recent call-ups [edit]

The following players have featured in Samoa's match-day 22 in 2012:
Note: Flags indicate national union for the club/province as defined by the International Rugby Board.

Player Position Date of Birth (Age) Caps Club/province
Steve Fualau Hooker (1983-08-03) 3 August 1983 (age 29) 2 New Zealand Auckland
Rapeti Lafo Hooker (1992-03-13) 13 March 1992 (age 21) 1 Samoa Vaiusu
Viliamu Afatia Prop (1990-05-24) 24 May 1990 (age 22) 2 France Agen
Daniel Crichton Lock (1985-10-22) 22 October 1985 (age 27) 4 New Zealand Grammar Carlton
Faatiga Lemalu Lock (1989-04-17) 17 April 1989 (age 24) 6 France Mont-de-Marsan
Maselino Paulino Lock (1988-06-21) 21 June 1988 (age 24) 4 New Zealand Hawke's Bay
Afa Aiono Flanker (1988-09-08) 8 September 1988 (age 24) 8 Samoa Leulumoega
Tivani Fomai Flanker (1985-01-01) 1 January 1985 (age 28) 3 New Zealand Hawke's Bay
Misioka Timoteo Flanker (1988-11-26) 26 November 1988 (age 24) 5 Ireland Naas
Ben Masoe Number 8 (1986-03-09) 9 March 1986 (age 27) 4 New Zealand Papatoetoe
Nalu Tuigamala Scrum-half (1989-02-11) 11 February 1989 (age 24) 2 New Zealand Wests Roosters
Patrick Fa'apale Fly-half (1991-03-05) 5 March 1991 (age 22) 0 Samoa Vaiala
Fautua Otto Centre (1985-07-23) 23 July 1985 (age 27) 7 England Bristol
Setaimata Sa Centre (1987-09-14) 14 September 1987 (age 25) 1 England London Irish
Alvin Tavana Centre (1987-04-11) 11 April 1987 (age 26) 1 New Zealand Suburbs
David Lemi Wing (1982-02-10) 10 February 1982 (age 31) 36 England Worcester Warriors
Paul Perez Wing (1986-06-26) 26 June 1986 (age 26) 7 South Africa Kings
Ken Pisi Wing (1989-02-24) 24 February 1989 (age 24) 2 England Northampton Saints
Faatoina Autagavaia Fullback (1988-09-18) 18 September 1988 (age 24) 6 New Zealand Northland
Lolo Lui Fullback (1982-01-04) 4 January 1982 (age 31) 25 Samoa Moata'a

Individual all-time records [edit]

Most caps [edit]

# Player Pos Span Mat Start Sub Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop Won Lost Draw %
1. Brian Lima Wing/Centre 1991-2007 64 61 3 140 29 0 0 0 31 31 2 50.00
2. To'o Vaega Centre/Wing/Scrum-half 1986-2001 61 56 5 71 12 4 3 0 35 25 1 58.19
3. Semo Sititi Flanker/Number 8 1999-2009 59 50 9 85 17 0 0 0 33 26 0 55.93
4. Opeta Palepoi Lock 1998-2005 43 30 13 10 2 0 0 0 24 19 0 55.81
5. Mahonri Schwalger Hooker 2000-2011 40 33 7 20 4 0 0 0 18 22 0 45.00
6. Cencus Johnston Prop 2005- 39 32 7 20 4 0 0 0 17 22 0 43.58
7. Steve So'oialo Scrum-half 1998-2007 38 31 7 25 5 0 0 0 18 20 0 47.36
8. Andrew Aiolupo Fullback/Wing 1983-1994 36 36 0 83 3 21 9 0 21 14 1 59.72
David Lemi Wing/Fullback 2004- 36 28 8 50 10 0 0 0 16 20 0 44.44
10. Lome Fa'atau Wing 2000-2007 35 31 4 70 14 0 0 0 19 16 0 54.28

Last updated: Wales vs Samoa, 16 November 2012. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[12]

Most tries [edit]

# Player Pos Span Mat Start Sub Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop
1. Brian Lima Wing/Centre 1991-2007 64 61 3 140 29 0 0 0
2. Semo Sititi Flanker/Number 8 1999-2009 59 50 9 85 17 0 0 0
3. Afato So'oalo Wing 1996-2001 20 18 2 75 15 0 0 0
Alesana Tuilagi Wing 2002-2011 26 24 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/Wing/Scrum-half 1986-2001 61 56 5 71 12 4 3 0
7. George Leaupepe Centre/Wing 1995-2005 26 23 3 50 10 0 0 0
David Lemi Wing/Fullback 2004- 36 28 8 50 10 0 0 0
9. Elvis Seveali'i Centre/Wing/Fullback/Fly-half 2000-2007 20 16 4 45 9 0 0 0
10. 3 players on 7 tries

Last updated: Wales vs Samoa, 16 November 2012. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[13]

Most points [edit]

# 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/Centre 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
5. Roger Warren Fly-half/Fullback 2004-2008 12 9 3 119 0 13 29 2
6. Gavin Williams Centre/Fullback 2007-2010 16 14 2 106 5 18 15 0
7. Tanner Vili Fly-half/Fullback 1999-2006 31 26 5 99 4 20 13 0
8. Semo Sititi Flanker/Number 8 1999-2009 59 50 9 85 17 0 0 0
9. Andrew Aiolupo Fullback/Wing 1983-1994 36 36 0 83 3 21 9 0
10. 2 players on 75 points

Last updated: Wales vs Samoa, 16 November 2012. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[14]

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 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: Wales vs Samoa, 16 November 2012. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[15]

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 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: Wales vs Samoa, 16 November 2012. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[13]

Most matches as captain [edit]

# Player Pos Span Mat Won Lost Draw % Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop
1. Semo Sititi Flanker/Number 8 2000-2007 39 19 20 0 48.71% 45 9 0 0 0
2. Pat Lam Number 8/Flanker 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. George Stowers Number 8/Flanker 2008-2009 7 4 3 0 57.14% 10 2 0 0 0

Last updated: Wales vs Samoa, 16 November 2012. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[16]

Youngest players [edit]

# Player Pos Age Opposition Venue Date
1. Sepe Tupuola Number 8 14 years and 97 days  Fiji Samoa Apia 02/06/1982
2. Fa'atoto Moananu Wing 14 years and 210 days  Germany Germany Bonn 30/09/1989
3. Anitele'a Tuilagi Centre 19 years and 27 days  Tonga Samoa Apia 02/07/2005
4. Carl Manu (Centre) 19 years and 59 days  Fiji Samoa Apia 01/06/2002
5. Brian Lima Centre 19 years and 123 days  Tonga Tonga Nuku'alofa 28/05/1991
6. Esera Puleitu Fly-half 19 years and 149 days  South Africa South Africa Johannesburg 13/04/1995
7. Na'ama Leleimalefaga (Prop) 19 years and 180 days  Fiji Samoa Apia 19/05/2007
8. Roysiu Tolufale (Prop) 19 years and 271 days  New Zealand New Zealand New Plymouth 03/09/2008
9. 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

Last updated: Wales vs Samoa, 16 November 2012. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[17]

  • Sepe Tupuola is the youngest international rugby player of all time.
  • Fa'atoto Moananu is the second youngest international rugby player of all time.

Oldest players [edit]

# 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. Jeremy Tomuli Prop 34 years and 247 days  Japan New Zealand New Plymouth 17/06/2006
8. Tani Fuga (Hooker) 34 years and 64 days  Tonga France Montpellier 16/09/2007
9. Mark Birtwistle Lock 34 years and 26 days  Ireland Republic of Ireland Lansdowne Road 12/11/1996
10. Alapasa Cortz Flanker 33 years and 302 days  Fiji Samoa Apia 19/05/2007

Last updated: Wales vs Samoa, 16 November 2012. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[18]

Samoan Players Representing Other International Teams [edit]

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) [edit]

England [edit]

Fiji (The Flying Fijians) [edit]

Japan (The Brave Blossoms) [edit]

New Zealand (All Blacks) [edit]

Notes [edit]

  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. ^ "International Rugby Board – News". 3 February 2009. Retrieved 28 May 2010. [dead link]
  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. ^ a b "All those born abroad". Planet Rugby. Archived from the original on 11 October 2007. Retrieved 2 October 2007. [dead link]
  9. ^ a b "World Rankings". International Rugby Board. Retrieved 15 April 2013. 
  10. ^ Samoa By Opposition Team Statsguru
  11. ^ "Samoa name strong squad to tour SA". Super Sport. 6 May 2013. 
  12. ^ http://stats.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/records/player/most_matches.html?id=15;type=team
  13. ^ a b 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 [edit]

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

External links [edit]
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