The Chairman of the Samoa Rugby Union (S.R.U), Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, remains hopeful.
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He believes the Manu Samoa Sevens will not flop in Hong Kong and Japan, starting next week, unlike their previous outings at the World Rugby Sevens Series
And with such optimism, Tuilaepa, who is also the Prime Minister, has asked supporters of Samoan rugby to give the current coaching staff of Fuimaono Titimaea Tafua and Galumalemana Rudolf Moors another opportunity.
Asked for his opinion on calls by members of the public – including several letters to the editor published in the Samoa Observer - to have the two sacked over the team’s woeful performance, Tuilaepa was sympathetic.
“We have to give them another opportunity,” he said. “Let’s wait and see what might happen. We never know, they will probably do much better and then we will regret it.”
Told that members of the public are demanding action over the team’s poor performance, the Chairman joked with the reporter saying such calls are usually made during drinking sessions.
He went on to remind the reporter that he should be careful with his questions because Fuimaono might be listening to the interview.
Coach Fuimaono though has much more serious issues on his mind, especially after the team’s disappointing performance in Wellington and Las Vegas.
With double points on offer at Hong Kong next week, Fuimaono will be hoping for a better performance from his team who will be looking to improve their rankings and finish the Series on a high. Samoa is currently ranked 10th, the lowest it has dropped in history.
In the meantime, the team named yesterday sees the return of a number of old heads including Afa Aiono, Lolo Lui, Tom Iosefo. Another veteran, Alatasi Tupou is making a comeback and he has been named in the forwards with Falemiga Selesele.
The team also features a number of new names including Alefosio Tapili, Lafaele Va’a and Tomasi Alosio, of Wellington.
During the team’s official farewell luncheon yesterday, the President of the Samoa Rugby Union, Tuiloma Pule Lameko, encouraged the players to think positive. “What has happened in the past, let it go,” he said. “Get yourself ready now, play hard and hope for the best.”
Tuiloma’s tone was welcomed by Manager Galumalemana who admitted that players have a lot to play for. Assuring that the squad is the best team available now, he said the players need to show improvement in their decision-making and work together as a unit.
Newcomer Tomasi Alosio is excited about the opportunity. The 23-year-old who hails from Falefa and Satapuala believes that playing for Samoa ‘is a dream come true’.
MANU SAMOA SEVENS
Afa Aiono, Alatasi Tupou, Alefosio Tapili, Falemiga Selesele, Lafaele Va’a, Lolo Lui, Samoa Toloa, Siaosi Asofolau, Tila Mealoi, Tofatuimoana Solia, Tom Iosefo and Tomasi Alosio.
NON-TRAVELLING RESERVES:
Greg Lealofi, Sani Niue, Fale Iosefa, Jay Saena and Fetufou Setu Laga
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