Samoa national rugby league team

Samoa
Nickname Toa Samoa
Governing body Rugby League Samoa
Region Asia-Pacific
Head coach Matt Parish
Captain Frank Pritchard
Most caps Ben Roberts (12)
Home stadium Newport Oval
RLIF ranking 4th
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 4 (first time in 1995)
Best result Quarter-finals 2000, 2013

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 and is currently run by Rugby League 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.Joe Raymond coached this side to a final where they went down to a strong NZ Maori side.Joe Raymond went on to coach them again in 1988 and would return again to coach them 10years later in 1998 in a one off game against a Samoan team of Samoan resident players at Carlaw park.

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 with funding the thirty (30) men representing Samoa in the Pacific Cup held in Tonga, 1990. 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 two (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. These two held together the concept of Samoa Rugby League and without their dream, Samoa RL will not be where it is today.

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 openly 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.

2000 Rugby League World Cup campaign

Samoa took on Ireland, Scotland, and the Aotearoa Māori in the 2000 Rugby League World Cup pool stages. They would lose to 'the Irish' in their opening game, but they'd beat NZ Maori, and Scotland in their next two games, sealing a place in the knock-out stages. They would take on Australia in the quarter-final. Unfortunately, they ended their tournament with a thrashing 66-10 defeat (their biggest defeat up to date), sealing an end to a respectable World Cup Campaign.

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[1] at the Chris Moyles Stadium, Featherstone.

For the 2008 Rugby League World Cup tournament Samoa's main jersey sponsor was the Samoa International Finance Authority.

Samoa took on Tonga and Ireland in the Tournament's pool stages. They beat their pacific rivals in a traditional tight pacific match-up, but they then lost to 'the Irish' by 34-16. This big losing margin, sent the Samoans into battle against the French in the Tournament's 9th place play-off. Samoa easily won, winning 42-10 and capping off an undesirable World Cup Tournament.

2013 Pacific Rugby League Test

In April 2013, Samoa took on Tonga in the '2013 Pacific Rugby League Test' at Penrith Stadium. The International was created as a World Cup warm-up match. Tonga targeted Samoa's weak defence, and it paid off, thrashing the Toa Samoans by 36-4.

2013 Rugby League World Cup campaign

Samoa performing the Siva Tau against France at the 2013 Rugby League World Cup

Samoa automatically qualified for the 2013 Rugby League World Cup after participating in the 2008 tournament. They took on New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and France in the pool stage. In their first match they took on 'the Kiwis'. New Zealand were outright favourites, but Samoa never gave up in the match. Down 36-4 in the second half, Samoa gained unexpected momentum as they ran in scoring 5 consecutive tries, leaving them trail 36-24 with 15 minutes to go. In the end NZ would avoid a shocking upset, by scoring a try late to seal the match. Samoa then thrashed 'the Kumuls', and then they beat 'the French' to secure a spot in the Knock-out stage of the Tournament. Samoa would lose their quarter-final against Pacific rivals Fiji, and in doing so, ending their successful 2013 World Cup campaign.

2014 Pacific Rugby League Test

In May 2014, Samoa took on Fiji in the '2014 Pacific Rugby League Test' at Penrith Stadium. The International was created as a qualifier for the final 2014 Four Nations spot. It was also a chance for the Four Nations team (winner of this international) to warm-up before the event kicked off later in the year. Samoa qualified for the 2014 Four Nations with a 32-16 win over their fierce rivals.

2014 Four Nations

In the Four Nations, Samoa was the fourth nation and the underdogs against rugby league's three big heavyweight nations England, New Zealand and Australia. But they proved that they were anything but underdogs, losing to England by six points in a sea-sawing battle, and they were within four minutes of creating rugby league history by beating New Zealand. By the final round, Samoa still had a chance to qualify for the final, making this Four Nations the toughest ever. This Samoan performance added credential to the rugby league game showing that the game is not all about the big three. This performance has now seen a petition begin to see Samoa v New Zealand test matches during Australia's State of Origin series.[2]

2015 Pacific Rugby League Test

In May 2015, Samoa took on Tonga in the 2015 Polynesian Cup at Cbus Super Stadium. The International was part of a triple header which also included the Melanesian Cup, between Papua New Guinea and Fiji, and the Junior Kangaroos against the Junior Kiwis. The game was an absolute thriller with the lead alternating between the teams and the biggest margin throughout the match was only 6 points. However, there was always going to be one winner in the see-saw affair and it was Samoa who upended Tonga to win the Polynesian Cup by 18-16.

2016 Pacific Rugby League Test

In May 2016, Samoa took on Tonga in the 2016 Polynesian Cup at Pirtek Stadium. The International was part of a triple header which also included the Melanesian Cup, between Papua New Guinea and Fiji, and the Junior Kangaroos against the Junior Kiwis.

Tournament History

Official Rankings as of December 2015[3]
RankChangeTeamPoints
1 Steady  New Zealand897.00
2  Australia 719.00
3  England 655.00
4  Samoa 280.00
5  France 209.00
6 Increase  Ireland 162.00
7 Decrease  Fiji 147.00
8 Increase  Wales 132.00
9 Decrease  Scotland 121.00
10 Steady  United States 102.00
11 Increase  Serbia 72.00
12 Steady  Italy 65.00
13  Canada 62.00
14 Decrease  Papua New Guinea 60.00
15 Increase  Russia 46.00
16 Decrease  Tonga 40.00
17 Increase  Belgium 40.00
18  Malta 32.00
19 Steady  Germany 28.00
20  Lebanon 27.00
21 Increase  Spain 26.00
22 Decrease  Cook Islands 23.00
23  Ukraine 22.00
24 Steady Greece 21.00
25 Increase  Denmark 20.00
26 Decrease  Norway 19.00
27 Increase  Jamaica 16.00
28 Decrease  Netherlands 15.00
29 Decrease  Sweden 15.00
30 Steady  Czech Republic 14.00
31 Decrease  South Africa 13.00
32 Steady  Niue 4.00
33  Hungary 2.00
34  Latvia 2.00
35  Morocco 0.00

The following tournaments is a list of notable international competitions that Samoa has been competing in since their existence in 1986.

A red box around the year indicates tournaments played within Samoa

World Cup

World Cup record
Year Round Position GP W L D
United Kingdom 1995Group Stage5/102110
United KingdomRepublic of IrelandFrance 2000Quarter-finals8/164220
Australia 2008Group Stage9/103210
EnglandWalesRepublic of IrelandFrance 2013Quarter-finals5/144220
AustraliaNew Zealand 2017 To Be Determined
Total0 Titles4/1313760

Four Nations

Four Nations record
Year Round Position GP W L D
EnglandFrance 2009 Not Invited
AustraliaNew Zealand 2010 Failed to Qualify
EnglandWales 2011 Not Invited
AustraliaNew Zealand 2014Fourth Place4/43030
EnglandScotland 2016 Not Invited
Total0 Titles1/53030

Pacific Cup

Pacific Cup record
Year Round Position GP W L D
Cook Islands 1986Second Place2/65320
Samoa 1988Second Place2/64310
Tonga 1990Champions1/85500
New Zealand 1992Champions1/106600
Fiji 1994Third Place3/106510
New Zealand 1997 Not Invited
New Zealand 2004Group Stage5/62110
New Zealand 2006Group Stage6/63030
Papua New Guinea 2009Quarter-finals5/51010
Total2 Titles8/12322390

Current squad

The Samoa national team squad selected for the 2016 Polynesian Cup test-match.[4] (caps and points apply for before the test-match began):

Other Nat. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Pts Club
New Zealand Wing Antonio Winterstein 30 May 1988 7 26 North Queensland Cowboys
New Zealand Wing Matthew Wright 30 January 1991 1 0 Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
Samoa Centre Kirisome Auva'a 23 February 1992 0 0 South Sydney Rabbitohs
Australia Centre Ricky Leutele 10 April 1990 3 0 Cronulla Sharks
New Zealand Centre Tim Simona 20 November 1991 4 6 Wests Tigers
New Zealand Stand-off Fa'amanu Brown 24 December 1994 0 0 Cronulla Sharks
New Zealand Stand-off Erin Clark 6 September 1997 0 0 New Zealand Warriors
New Zealand Prop Junior Paulo 20 November 1993 0 0 Parramatta Eels
New Zealand Prop Sam Kasiano 21 September 1990 1 0 Canterbury Bulldogs
New Zealand Prop Sam Tagataese 8 December 1986 3 0 Cronulla Sharks
New Zealand Hooker Pita Godinet 21 December 1987 8 16 Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
Australia Hooker Kaysa Pritchard 5 May 1994 0 0 Parramatta Eels
New Zealand Second-row Leeson Ah Mau 20 December 1989 9 0 St. George Illawarra Dragons
New Zealand Second-row Frank Pritchard (Captain) 3 November 1983 4 4 Hull F.C.
New Zealand Second-row Raymond Faitala-Mariner 26 July 1993 0 0 Canterbury Bulldogs
New Zealand Lock Sauaso Sue 20 April 1992 7 4 Wests Tigers
Australia Lock John Asiata 19 April 1993 0 0 North Queensland Cowboys

All-time records

Opponent Played Won Drawn Lost % Won Year/s
Total 71 40 0 30 55% 1986-
 American Samoa 1 1 0 0 100% 1994
 Australia 2 0 0 2 0% 2000-2014
Australian Aborigines 3 3 0 0 100% 1990-1994
 Cook Islands 7 5 0 2 71% 1986-2009
 England 1 0 0 1 0% 2014
England England Knights 1 0 0 1 0% 2013
 Fiji 9 4 0 5 44% 1992-2014
 France 4 3 0 1 75% 1995-2013
 Ireland 2 0 0 2 0% 2000-2008
 Lebanon 1 1 0 0 100% 2007
 New Caledonia 1 1 0 0 100% 2004
 New Zealand 3 0 0 3 0% 2010-2014
 Māori 6 2 0 4 33% 1986-2004
 Niue 4 4 0 0 100% 1990-2004
 Papua New Guinea 1 1 0 0 100% 2013
 Rotuma 1 1 0 0 100% 1994
 Scotland 1 1 0 0 100% 2000
 Tokelau 36 36 0 0 100% 1986-2006
 Tonga 17 10 0 8 58% 1986-2015
 United States 1 1 0 0 100% 2007
 Wales 1 1 0 0 100% 1995

Results and fixtures

Below are the previous 5 matches of the national team. For all past match results, see the team's results page.
2 May 2015
19:30
Samoa  18–16  Tonga
Report
Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Attendance: 12,336
9 November 2014
16:00
Australia  44–18  Samoa
Report
WIN Stadium, Wollongong
Attendance: 18,456
1 November 2014
16:00
New Zealand  14–12  Samoa
Report
Toll Stadium, Whangarei
Attendance: 16,912
25 October 2014
17:00
England  32–26  Samoa
Report
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Attendance: 47,813
3 May 2014
19:30
Samoa  32–16  Fiji
Report
Sportingbet Stadium, Penrith
Attendance: 9,063

Notable players and coaches

Kit suppliers

Since 2013, Samoa's kits are currently supplied by FI-TA.

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/sport/nrl/story/0,26746,22762994-5003409,00.html
  2. ↑ http://www.nrl.com/nz-v-samoa-the-new-state-of-origin/tabid/10874/newsid/82891/default.aspx
  3. ↑ RLIF Rankings.
  4. ↑ "Pacific Test teams announced". nrl.com. 1 May 2016. Retrieved 2 May 2016.

External links

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