Rugby union in Samoa
Encyclopedia
Rugby union is the national sport of Samoa
, and the national teams in both the standard 15-man game
and its seven-man variant
are consistently competitive against teams from vastly more populous nations.
.
Samoa were awarded 'second tier' status by the International Rugby Board
which entitles them to funding from the IRB.
The Samoa Rugby Union was founded in 1924, as the "Apia Rugby Union", and affiliated to the NZRFU in the same year. As the Western Samoa Rugby Football Union, it joined the IRB
in 1988. When Western Samoa amended its constitution to change the country's name from Western Samoa to Samoa, the union also changed its name, and dropped the word football to become the Samoa Rugby Union. The union is also a member of the Federation of Oceania Rugby Unions
(FORU).
brought the game to Samoa in 1920 and The Apia Rugby Union was formed in 1924.
On August 18, 1924 Western Samoa
played its first international against Fiji in the capital Apia, the visitors winning 6-0.
The Pacific Tri-Nations
series between Tonga, Fiji and Western Samoa was established in 1982.
The Western Samoa Rugby Football Union joined the International Rugby Board
in 1988. Western Samoa played in the World Cup for the first time in 1991.
The Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance
(PIRA) was set up in 2002 as a basis of co-operation between the Fiji Rugby Union
, Samoa Rugby Union and Tonga Rugby Football Union
.
In 2006, the Pacific Tri-Nations was replaced by the IRB Pacific 5 Nations which was then renamed the Pacific Nations Cup. The IRB Pacific Rugby Cup
started in 2006 with Upolu Samoa
and Savaii Samoa
representing Samoa.
Rugby was first introduced into Samoa around the turn of the twentieth century, when it was still a German colony. It is believed that the first people to introduce it there were missionaries from New Zealand.
For many years, Western Samoa's international contact was confined to the other South Sea islands of Fiji
and Tonga
. This is partly because of the isolation of the islands. Their first international was against Fiji
, in 1924, and featured a palm tree in the middle of the pitch.
There was also a large amount of contact with New Zealand, where many Samoans would migrate to in the twentieth century.
Samoa first came to major international attention in 1986, when they toured Wales
. Their test against the Welsh national side
produced a result of 32-14. This was also seen as a major turning point as previously there had been a debate as to whether to have an international team at all, as many players had traditionally defected to New Zealand. Samoa rugby's relationship with New Zealand rugby has been a mixed blessing. On the one hand it has allowed Samoa to recruit amongst the massive pool of first and second generation Samoan migrants in New Zealand, but conversely it also meant that for many Samoans, their highest ambition was to win a cap in the All Blacks
. Notable Samoan-New Zealander players include Michael Jones and Peter Schuster
.
Controversially Samoa was not invited to the first World Cup
- although Tonga and Fiji were. This led to a massive campaign to build up a side good enough to qualify for the 1991 Rugby World Cup
. They selected Bryan Williams
, who had been a winger for the All Blacks
to be their coach, and using a mixture of home grown backs such as Brian Lima
and Matthew Vaea, and no nonsense New Zealand based forwards such as Mark Birtwhistle, Pat Lam
Matt Keenan, and Peter Fatialofa
, he wielded a disparate group of talented individuals into a side which quickly came to dominate Fiji and Tonga and gain access to the world cup.
Samoa's performance at the 1991 Rugby World Cup
was superb, and proved that they were an international force to be reckoned with. After beating Wales in the first game in Cardiff
, they beat Argentina
. In a nail bitingly close finish, they were beaten 9-3 by Australia
, who would later win the tournament. However, they were beaten 28-6 by Scotland
.
Prominent Samoan players include Freddie Tuilagi
, Apollo Perelini
, Lome Fa'atau
, Lolani Koko
, Pat Lam
, Brian Lima
, current sevens captain Lolo Lui
, and two winners of the IRB International Sevens Player of the Year Award in Uale Mai
and Mikaele Pesamino
.
The huge numbers of players playing professionally abroad can work to Samoa's disadvantage when it comes to team training as it is difficult to get them all together as a squad. But Samoa still manage to remain competitive on the world-stage and are regarded as tough opponents.
n rugby union and is a stepping stone for local players into international rugby. Teams play within their respective unions, and then the top teams from each union then contest the finals series held at Apia Park. The Apia West and Apia union teams usually dominate.
and Upolu Samoa
. The aim of the tournament is to improve the quality of rugby in the Pacific Islands.
since 1991
, and have made the quarter finals in 1991, 1995
and 1999
.
Samoa also play in the Pacific Nations Cup and the Pacific Tri-Nations
The sport is governed by the Samoa Rugby Union, who are members of the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance
, and thus, also contribute to the international Pacific Islanders rugby union team
.
, Fiji
and Samoa
. It has been played since 1982. It was replaced by the Pacific Nations Cup.
sides; Fiji
, Japan
, Samoa
, Tonga
and a second-level side of one of the major Pacific powers of Australia and New Zealand. The inaugural competition in 2006, known as the IRB Pacific 5 Nations, featured New Zealand's "A" side, the Junior All Blacks
. In 2007, Australia A joined the original IRB Pacific 5 Nations teams in the new IRB Pacific Nations Cup. The 2008 competition saw the Junior All Blacks replaced by the New Zealand Māori
, a developmental side made up entirely of players from the country's indigenous Māori people. In 2009, Australia A did not play and the Junior All Blacks returned. The 2010 competition had no participation from Australia or New Zealand, and was won by Manu Samoa.
. Long a solidly competitive side, Samoa Sevens burst into prominence in 2006–07, when they ran traditional favourites New Zealand
and Fiji
very close for the title. They cemented their status as one of the world's sevens powers by winning the 2009–10 season title
.
Samoa Rules
Samoa Rules is a game derived from Australian rules football
and rugby union that is occasionally played in Samoa. It generally uses rugby pitches, H posts and 15-a-side teams, but is played to Australian rules otherwise.
Samoa
Samoa , officially the Independent State of Samoa, formerly known as Western Samoa is a country encompassing the western part of the Samoan Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. It became independent from New Zealand in 1962. The two main islands of Samoa are Upolu and one of the biggest islands in...
, and the national teams in both the standard 15-man game
Samoa national rugby union team
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...
and its seven-man variant
Samoa national rugby union team (sevens)
The Samoa national rugby union team represent Samoa internationally in rugby sevens, a competitive sports tournament titled the IRB Sevens World Series which takes place annually in seven countries; United Arab Emirates, South Africa, New Zealand, United States, Hong Kong, Australia, England and...
are consistently competitive against teams from vastly more populous nations.
Governing body
Rugby union is governed by the Samoa Rugby Union who are also members of the Pacific Islands Rugby AlliancePacific Islands Rugby Alliance
The Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance was set up in 2002 as a basis of co-operation between the Fiji, Samoa and Tonga Rugby Unions. Niue and the Cook Islands are also members of the Alliance, and while not members of the Pacific Tri-Nations competition, they can and do supply members to the Pacific...
.
Samoa were awarded 'second tier' status by the International Rugby Board
International Rugby Board
The International Rugby Board is the governing body for the sport of rugby union. It was founded in 1886 as the International Rugby Football Board by the unions of Scotland, Wales and Ireland. England refused to join until 1890. The International Rugby Football Board changed its name to the...
which entitles them to funding from the IRB.
The Samoa Rugby Union was founded in 1924, as the "Apia Rugby Union", and affiliated to the NZRFU in the same year. As the Western Samoa Rugby Football Union, it joined the IRB
International Rugby Board
The International Rugby Board is the governing body for the sport of rugby union. It was founded in 1886 as the International Rugby Football Board by the unions of Scotland, Wales and Ireland. England refused to join until 1890. The International Rugby Football Board changed its name to the...
in 1988. When Western Samoa amended its constitution to change the country's name from Western Samoa to Samoa, the union also changed its name, and dropped the word football to become the Samoa Rugby Union. The union is also a member of the Federation of Oceania Rugby Unions
Federation of Oceania Rugby Unions
The Federation of Oceania Rugby Unions is the regional governing body for rugby in Oceania. It presently encompasses 12 full member unions and 2 associate territorial committees and 1 associated union. FORU overseas the Pacific Rugby Cup, the Pacific Nations Cup and the FORU Oceania Cup.-Full...
(FORU).
History
The Marist BrothersMarist Brothers
The Marist Brothers, or Little Brothers of Mary, are a Catholic religious order of brothers and affiliated lay people. The order was founded in France, at La Valla-en-Gier near Lyon in 1817 by Saint Marcellin Champagnat, a young French priest of the Society of Mary...
brought the game to Samoa in 1920 and The Apia Rugby Union was formed in 1924.
On August 18, 1924 Western Samoa
Samoa national rugby union team
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...
played its first international against Fiji in the capital Apia, the visitors winning 6-0.
The Pacific Tri-Nations
Pacific Tri-Nations
The Pacific Tri-Nations is the traditional rugby union series between Tonga, Fiji and Samoa. It was established in 1982 with the Samoan team, then known as Western Samoa, winning the tournament...
series between Tonga, Fiji and Western Samoa was established in 1982.
The Western Samoa Rugby Football Union joined the International Rugby Board
International Rugby Board
The International Rugby Board is the governing body for the sport of rugby union. It was founded in 1886 as the International Rugby Football Board by the unions of Scotland, Wales and Ireland. England refused to join until 1890. The International Rugby Football Board changed its name to the...
in 1988. Western Samoa played in the World Cup for the first time in 1991.
The Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance
Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance
The Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance was set up in 2002 as a basis of co-operation between the Fiji, Samoa and Tonga Rugby Unions. Niue and the Cook Islands are also members of the Alliance, and while not members of the Pacific Tri-Nations competition, they can and do supply members to the Pacific...
(PIRA) was set up in 2002 as a basis of co-operation between the Fiji Rugby Union
Fiji Rugby Union
Fiji Rugby Union is the governing body for the sport of rugby union in Fiji. It is divided into over 30 provincial unions. The Fiji Rugby Union is a member of the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance , along with Samoa and Tonga. There are approximately 80,000 registered players from a total population...
, Samoa Rugby Union and Tonga Rugby Football Union
Tonga Rugby Football Union
The Tonga Rugby Union are the governing body of the sport of rugby union in Tonga. They are members of the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance along with Fiji and Samoa...
.
In 2006, the Pacific Tri-Nations was replaced by the IRB Pacific 5 Nations which was then renamed the Pacific Nations Cup. The IRB Pacific Rugby Cup
Pacific Rugby Cup
The IRB Pacific Rugby Cup is an annual rugby union development competition. First held in 2006, it features representative teams from the three Pacific rugby union unions - Fiji, Samoa and Tonga.The participating teams are:*Samoa A from Samoa...
started in 2006 with Upolu Samoa
Upolu Samoa
Upolu Samoa is a rugby union team controlled by the Samoa Rugby Union. It is one of the two Samoa rugby union teams participating in the Pacific Rugby Cup, the other being Savaii Samoa...
and Savaii Samoa
Savaii Samoa
Savaii Samoa is one of the Samoa rugby union two teams for the Pacific Rugby Cup. The other Samoan team is Upolu Samoa. Savaii Samoa and Upolu Samoa are selected from all tournaments that took place in Samoa...
representing Samoa.
Rugby was first introduced into Samoa around the turn of the twentieth century, when it was still a German colony. It is believed that the first people to introduce it there were missionaries from New Zealand.
For many years, Western Samoa's international contact was confined to the other South Sea islands of Fiji
Fiji
Fiji , officially the Republic of Fiji , is an island nation in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean about northeast of New Zealand's North Island...
and Tonga
Tonga
Tonga, officially the Kingdom of Tonga , is a state and an archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, comprising 176 islands scattered over of ocean in the South Pacific...
. This is partly because of the isolation of the islands. Their first international was against Fiji
Fiji national rugby union team
The Fiji national rugby union team is a member of the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance formerly along with Samoa and Tonga. In 2009, Samoa announced their departure from the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance, leaving just Fiji and Tonga. Fiji are ranked sixteenth in the world by the IRB as of 26...
, in 1924, and featured a palm tree in the middle of the pitch.
There was also a large amount of contact with New Zealand, where many Samoans would migrate to in the twentieth century.
Samoa first came to major international attention in 1986, when they toured Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
. Their test against the Welsh national side
Wales national rugby union team
The Wales national rugby union team represent Wales in international rugby union tournaments. They compete annually in the Six Nations Championship with England, France, Ireland, Italy and Scotland. Wales have won the Six Nations and its predecessors 24 times outright, second only to England with...
produced a result of 32-14. This was also seen as a major turning point as previously there had been a debate as to whether to have an international team at all, as many players had traditionally defected to New Zealand. Samoa rugby's relationship with New Zealand rugby has been a mixed blessing. On the one hand it has allowed Samoa to recruit amongst the massive pool of first and second generation Samoan migrants in New Zealand, but conversely it also meant that for many Samoans, their highest ambition was to win a cap in the All Blacks
All Blacks
The New Zealand men's national rugby union team, known as the All Blacks, represent New Zealand in what is regarded as its national sport....
. Notable Samoan-New Zealander players include Michael Jones and Peter Schuster
Peter Schuster
Peter K. Schuster is a renowned theoretical chemist, known for his work with the German Nobel Laureate Manfred Eigen in developing the quasispecies model...
.
Controversially Samoa was not invited to the first World Cup
1987 Rugby World Cup
The 1987 Rugby World Cup was the first Rugby World Cup. New Zealand and Australia agreed to co-host the first ever tournament with New Zealand hosting seventeen pool stage matches, two quarter-finals and the final with Australia being the junior partner hosting seven pool matches, two...
- although Tonga and Fiji were. This led to a massive campaign to build up a side good enough to qualify for the 1991 Rugby World Cup
1991 Rugby World Cup
The 1991 Rugby World Cup was the second edition of the Rugby World Cup, and was jointly hosted by England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and France; at that time, the five European countries that participated in the Five Nations Championship making it the first Rugby World Cup to be staged in the...
. They selected Bryan Williams
Bryan Williams
Bryan Williams, MBE is a former New Zealand rugby union footballer and coach of the Samoan national rugby team....
, who had been a winger for the All Blacks
All Blacks
The New Zealand men's national rugby union team, known as the All Blacks, represent New Zealand in what is regarded as its national sport....
to be their coach, and using a mixture of home grown backs such as Brian Lima
Brian Lima
Brian Lima is a former Samoan rugby union footballer who was inducted into the IRB Hall of Fame in 2011. Originally a wing, Lima moved into centre for Manu Samoa as his pace lessened, but he remained a formidable player throughout his career.He earned the memorable nickname of "The Chiropractor"...
and Matthew Vaea, and no nonsense New Zealand based forwards such as Mark Birtwhistle, Pat Lam
Pat Lam
Patrick Richard Lam is a former New Zealand rugby union footballer, of Samoan descent. He was the head coach of Auckland before being appointed head coach of Super 14 team the Blues in 2009. He went to St. Peter's College, Epsom, and captained the New Zealand Secondary Schools rugby team...
Matt Keenan, and Peter Fatialofa
Peter Fatialofa
Peter Fatialofa is a former Samoan rugby player who captained Samoa in their first Rugby World Cup appearance in 1991. He was among the first of the New Zealand based players to represent Samoa.-Career:...
, he wielded a disparate group of talented individuals into a side which quickly came to dominate Fiji and Tonga and gain access to the world cup.
Samoa's performance at the 1991 Rugby World Cup
1991 Rugby World Cup
The 1991 Rugby World Cup was the second edition of the Rugby World Cup, and was jointly hosted by England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and France; at that time, the five European countries that participated in the Five Nations Championship making it the first Rugby World Cup to be staged in the...
was superb, and proved that they were an international force to be reckoned with. After beating Wales in the first game in Cardiff
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
, they beat Argentina
Argentina national rugby union team
The Argentina national rugby team, nicknamed Los Pumas, represents Argentina in international rugby union matches. The team, which plays in sky blue and white jerseys, is organised by the Argentine Rugby Union .Argentina played its first international rugby match in 1910 against a touring British...
. In a nail bitingly close finish, they were beaten 9-3 by Australia
Australia national rugby union team
The Australian national rugby union team is the representative side of Australia in rugby union. The national team is nicknamed the Wallabies and competes annually with New Zealand and South Africa in the Tri-Nations Series, in which they also contest the Bledisloe Cup with New Zealand and the...
, who would later win the tournament. However, they were beaten 28-6 by Scotland
Scotland national rugby union team
The Scotland national rugby union team represent Scotland in international rugby union. Rugby union in Scotland is administered by the Scottish Rugby Union. The Scotland rugby union team is currently ranked eighth in the IRB World Rankings as of 19 September 2011...
.
Popularity
Rugby union, as in the other Pacific Islands, is a way of life for Samoans with 12 provincial unions made up of around 120 clubs and nearly 5,000 senior and twice as many junior players in a country with a population of just under 175,000 people.Prominent Samoan players include Freddie Tuilagi
Freddie Tuilagi
Fereti Tuilagi is a former Samoan rugby union Rugby player who previously played rugby league for Halifax Blue Sox and St. Helens. He played as a wing or centre and now is currently retired...
, Apollo Perelini
Apollo Perelini
Apollo Perelini is a former Samoan dual code rugby international player.Apollo Perelini played for St. Helens in the Rugby League Premiership and the Super League...
, Lome Fa'atau
Lome Fa'atau
Lome Fa'atau is a rugby union player. He currently plays for the Rugby Nice Côte d'Azur in the French Fédérale 1. The speedy winger is recognisable by his traditional Samoan tattoo ....
, Lolani Koko
Lolani Koko
Lolani Koko is a Samoan former rugby football player who represented his country in rugby union; rugby league, including at the 1995 Rugby League World Cup; soccer; and at the 1982 Commonwealth Games.-Early years:...
, Pat Lam
Pat Lam
Patrick Richard Lam is a former New Zealand rugby union footballer, of Samoan descent. He was the head coach of Auckland before being appointed head coach of Super 14 team the Blues in 2009. He went to St. Peter's College, Epsom, and captained the New Zealand Secondary Schools rugby team...
, Brian Lima
Brian Lima
Brian Lima is a former Samoan rugby union footballer who was inducted into the IRB Hall of Fame in 2011. Originally a wing, Lima moved into centre for Manu Samoa as his pace lessened, but he remained a formidable player throughout his career.He earned the memorable nickname of "The Chiropractor"...
, current sevens captain Lolo Lui
Lolo Lui
Lolo Lui, is a Samoan rugby union player and the current captain of the Samoa Sevens, champions of the 2009–10 IRB Sevens World Series...
, and two winners of the IRB International Sevens Player of the Year Award in Uale Mai
Uale Mai
Uale Mai Vala is a rugby union player and currently plays for the country's national teams, Manu Samoa and Samoa Sevens. He is a former captain of the Samoa Sevens team which represent Samoa internationally in the IRB Sevens World Series. He is Sevens rugby's most capped player and is considered...
and Mikaele Pesamino
Mikaele Pesamino
Mikaele Pesamino is a rugby union player in the Samoa Sevens team. He is one of the highest point scorers in the 2009–2010 IRB Sevens World Series.Pesamino was born in Vailele on the island of Upolu in Samoa....
.
The huge numbers of players playing professionally abroad can work to Samoa's disadvantage when it comes to team training as it is difficult to get them all together as a squad. But Samoa still manage to remain competitive on the world-stage and are regarded as tough opponents.
National Provincial Championship
The is the second highest level of competition within SamoaSamoa
Samoa , officially the Independent State of Samoa, formerly known as Western Samoa is a country encompassing the western part of the Samoan Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. It became independent from New Zealand in 1962. The two main islands of Samoa are Upolu and one of the biggest islands in...
n rugby union and is a stepping stone for local players into international rugby. Teams play within their respective unions, and then the top teams from each union then contest the finals series held at Apia Park. The Apia West and Apia union teams usually dominate.
Pacific Rugby Cup
The IRB Pacific Rugby Cup started in 2006 and involves representative teams from the three Pacific rugby unions, Fiji, Tonga, & Samoa. Samoa ,along with Tonga and Fiji, have two sides in the tournament, Savaii SamoaSavaii Samoa
Savaii Samoa is one of the Samoa rugby union two teams for the Pacific Rugby Cup. The other Samoan team is Upolu Samoa. Savaii Samoa and Upolu Samoa are selected from all tournaments that took place in Samoa...
and Upolu Samoa
Upolu Samoa
Upolu Samoa is a rugby union team controlled by the Samoa Rugby Union. It is one of the two Samoa rugby union teams participating in the Pacific Rugby Cup, the other being Savaii Samoa...
. The aim of the tournament is to improve the quality of rugby in the Pacific Islands.
National
The national team known as Manu Samoa have competed at every Rugby World CupRugby World Cup
The Rugby World Cup is an international rugby union competition organised by the International Rugby Board and held every four years since 1987....
since 1991
1991 Rugby World Cup
The 1991 Rugby World Cup was the second edition of the Rugby World Cup, and was jointly hosted by England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and France; at that time, the five European countries that participated in the Five Nations Championship making it the first Rugby World Cup to be staged in the...
, and have made the quarter finals in 1991, 1995
1995 Rugby World Cup
The 1995 Rugby World Cup was the third Rugby World Cup. It was hosted and won by South Africa, and was the first Rugby World Cup in which every match was held in one country....
and 1999
1999 Rugby World Cup
The 1999 Rugby World Cup was the fourth Rugby World Cup, and the first to be held in rugby union's professional era. The principal host nation was Wales, although the majority of matches were played outside the country, shared between England, France, Scotland and Ireland...
.
Samoa also play in the Pacific Nations Cup and the Pacific Tri-Nations
Pacific Tri-Nations
The Pacific Tri-Nations is the traditional rugby union series between Tonga, Fiji and Samoa. It was established in 1982 with the Samoan team, then known as Western Samoa, winning the tournament...
The sport is governed by the Samoa Rugby Union, who are members of the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance
Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance
The Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance was set up in 2002 as a basis of co-operation between the Fiji, Samoa and Tonga Rugby Unions. Niue and the Cook Islands are also members of the Alliance, and while not members of the Pacific Tri-Nations competition, they can and do supply members to the Pacific...
, and thus, also contribute to the international Pacific Islanders rugby union team
Pacific Islanders rugby union team
The Pacific Islanders rugby union team is an international rugby union team, started in 2004, that represents Fiji, Samoa and Tonga. While Niue and the Cook Islands are not members of the Pacific Tri-Nations competition, they did supply players to the squad for the Pacific Islanders' tour in 2004...
.
Pacific Tri-Nations
The Pacific Tri-Nations is the series between TongaTonga national rugby union team
The Tonga national rugby union team is nicknamed Ikale Tahi . Like their Polynesian neighbours, the Tongans start their matches with a war dance – the Kailao . They are members of the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance along with Fiji and Samoa...
, Fiji
Fiji national rugby union team
The Fiji national rugby union team is a member of the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance formerly along with Samoa and Tonga. In 2009, Samoa announced their departure from the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance, leaving just Fiji and Tonga. Fiji are ranked sixteenth in the world by the IRB as of 26...
and Samoa
Samoa national rugby union team
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...
. It has been played since 1982. It was replaced by the Pacific Nations Cup.
IRB Pacific Nations Cup
The IRB Pacific Nations Cup is a competition most often held between five Pacific rimPacific Rim
The Pacific Rim refers to places around the edge of the Pacific Ocean. The term "Pacific Basin" includes the Pacific Rim and islands in the Pacific Ocean...
sides; Fiji
Fiji national rugby union team
The Fiji national rugby union team is a member of the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance formerly along with Samoa and Tonga. In 2009, Samoa announced their departure from the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance, leaving just Fiji and Tonga. Fiji are ranked sixteenth in the world by the IRB as of 26...
, Japan
Japan national rugby union team
The Japan national rugby union team represent Japan in international rugby union competitions. Japan is traditionally the strongest rugby union power in Asia but has both enjoyed and endured mixed results against non-Asian teams over the years...
, Samoa
Samoa national rugby union team
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...
, Tonga
Tonga national rugby union team
The Tonga national rugby union team is nicknamed Ikale Tahi . Like their Polynesian neighbours, the Tongans start their matches with a war dance – the Kailao . They are members of the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance along with Fiji and Samoa...
and a second-level side of one of the major Pacific powers of Australia and New Zealand. The inaugural competition in 2006, known as the IRB Pacific 5 Nations, featured New Zealand's "A" side, the Junior All Blacks
Junior All Blacks
The Junior All Blacks are a New Zealand rugby union team. The Junior All Blacks are not an age grade side, but the second national team behind the New Zealand national rugby union team....
. In 2007, Australia A joined the original IRB Pacific 5 Nations teams in the new IRB Pacific Nations Cup. The 2008 competition saw the Junior All Blacks replaced by the New Zealand Māori
New Zealand Maori rugby union team
New Zealand Māori is a rugby union team that traditionally plays teams touring New Zealand. A prerequisite for playing in this team is that the player is to have Māori whakapapa or genealogy. In the past this rule was not strictly applied. In the past non-Māori players who looked Māori were often...
, a developmental side made up entirely of players from the country's indigenous Māori people. In 2009, Australia A did not play and the Junior All Blacks returned. The 2010 competition had no participation from Australia or New Zealand, and was won by Manu Samoa.
National (sevens)
The Samoa national sevens team is one of the 12 "core teams" that compete in every event in the annual IRB Sevens World SeriesIRB Sevens World Series
The IRB Sevens World Series, known officially as the HSBC Sevens World Series as of the 2010-11 season, through sponsorship from banking group HSBC, and also sometimes called the World Sevens Series, is a series of international rugby union sevens tournaments organised for the first time in the...
. Long a solidly competitive side, Samoa Sevens burst into prominence in 2006–07, when they ran traditional favourites New Zealand
New Zealand national rugby union team (sevens)
The New Zealand national rugby union sevens team is the New Zealand representative team in rugby union sevens and competes in the IRB Sevens World Series, Rugby World Cup Sevens and the Commonwealth Games.-IRB Sevens:...
and Fiji
Fiji national rugby union team (sevens)
The Fiji Sevens side is one of the most popular and successful Sevens teams in the world and has won the Hong Kong Sevens a record nine times since its inception in 1976. Fiji has also won the Sevens World Cup twice, winning that event in 1997 and 2005...
very close for the title. They cemented their status as one of the world's sevens powers by winning the 2009–10 season title
2009–10 IRB Sevens World Series
The 2009–10 IRB Sevens World Series was the eleventh of an annual series of rugby union sevens tournaments for full national sides run by the International Rugby Board since 1999–2000. Samoa won the series crown for their first time....
.
Samoa RulesSamoa RulesSamoa Rules is a game derived from Australian rules football and rugby union that is occasionally played in Samoa.-Rules:Generally the rules are taken from Aussie Rules, but each team consists of 15 players, like rugby union....
Samoa Rules is a game derived from Australian rules footballAustralian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
and rugby union that is occasionally played in Samoa. It generally uses rugby pitches, H posts and 15-a-side teams, but is played to Australian rules otherwise.
See also
- Culture of SamoaCulture of SamoaThe traditional culture of Samoa is a communal way of life based on Fa'a Samoa, the unique socio-political culture of Samoa. In Samoan culture, most activities are done together. There are 3 main parts in the Samoan culture, that is faith, family and music.The traditional living quarters, or fale ,...
- American Samoa national rugby union teamAmerican Samoa national rugby union teamThe American Samoa national rugby union team represents American Samoa in international rugby union. America Samoa are a member of the International Rugby Board . They have yet to play in a Rugby World Cup.-External links:* on IRB.com...
- Rugby union in American SamoaRugby union in American SamoaRugby union in American Samoa is a growing sport.-History:Rugby has been played to an extremely high level in neighbouring Western Samoa, which has reached the World Cup on a number of occasions, and whose team calls itself "Manu Samoa" meaning the Samoan team...