Legend backs Manu against All Blacks

Nineteen days away from the historical test between Manu Samoa and the All Blacks, one of the greatest players to have worn the blue jersey, Muliagatele Brian Lima, has urged Samoa to get behind their team.

And although the odds are heavily stacked against the home team when they take on the World Champions on Wednesday 8 July 2015, the only man to have played five World Cups is confident Manu Samoa will not be a walk in the park for the All Blacks. Speaking to the Weekend Observer yesterday, Muliagatele says the test will do Samoan rugby a world of good, as Manu Samoa needs more exposure against Tier One teams. What’s more, the test will be ideal preparations for the Rugby World Cup in September.

According to Muliagatele, the top teams in the world play against each other frequently.

They also play Super rugby, which is close to test level. In comparison, Manu Samoa doesn’t get many Tier One games.

But they need that to increase the quality of their performances.

“So that’s what we need for Samoa, Tonga and Fiji,” he said.

“We need more tests [against] Australia, South Africa...if we play more than six or seven or even ten tests at that level a year, I am sure it will raise standards of the island teams as well.

“We need exposure! We need to play Tier One teams, close to ten tests a year to lift up our Pacific Island rugby to the next level.”

As for the current team selection for Manu Samoa against the All Blacks, Muliagatele was quite frank.

“To be honest, that’s not the best Manu Samoa team but they are the best players available for now.”

This is due to injuries and affecting players such as Alapati Leiua, Motu Matu’u and Taiasina Tu’ifua and availability due to Super XV commitments. There are also players who have retired.

Muliagatele said the pride in the blue jersey will motivate the players.

“We have nothing to lose. The All Blacks are the best rugby team in the world and the current number one. For me, it’s to play against the best, before the World Cup.

“It’s a big, big game for us and the first time ever... for the All Blacks to come here.”

But he warned that the Manu Samoa team has to prepare physically and mentally for this test.

And should they play well, it could perhaps bring the All Blacks back to Samoa or even other countries in the Pacific.

“It’s really good for Samoan rugby. It’s a big chance and I want the team to play well for this big event.”

When Muliagatele played for Manu Samoa, he and his teammates wished for an event like this.

“We played well and won a lot of games in those days in order for this game to happen. The team like the All Blacks is like a brand. You have to pay a lot of money in order that team to play in your country.

“And Samoa, we didn’t have a lot of money and we had to play well and make it to the tier one team so we could play the All Blacks.”

And in the 1993 and 1995 World Cup, Muliagatele knew that the dream for Manu Samoa to play the All Blacks would happen one day in the future.

“For me as a former Manu Samoa player, it’s really good. There are a lot of things that will happen in that game and it’s a good test for the Manu in preparation for the World Cup.”

He said that Samoa would also benefit on different levels in terms of exposure, tourism and the economy.

This is also the chance for the people in Samoa to see the players in real life for the first time and watch them play in Samoa.

Muliagatele as part of the Manu Samoa team played against the All Blacks two times. His advice for the players is to give it their best.

“I’m sure they are thinking a lot about it and preparing. It’s a one off test. It’s a good game [where they can] test themselves before the World Cup.”

And whether or not there are big names in the team that come to Samoa, the “All Blacks are the All Blacks”.

“There is no second string team for the All Blacks even if they pick other players, they are still the All Blacks.”

The All Blacks are a team that don’t want to lose because their reputation is to keep the number one rank in the world. So the Manu Samoa team need to prepare mentally and physically and believe that this is the time to beat them.

Manu Samoa Sevens aspirations During the interview, Muliagatele also confirmed that he has applied for the coaching job. He said he has always dreamed of being Sevens coach.

When visiting his son in Hamilton, New Zealand, Muliagatele uses that to update his coaching skills with some of the best coaches there.

He attends training with the Chiefs and keeps updated with their management.

He says Sevens rugby is a different game now and the aspects of the game and fitness changes every year. The challenge is to come up with a plan to implement for the team. “It’s a totally different game nowadays compared to the last few years.”

And because it’s now a part of the Olympic Games, every country wants to qualify, especially from the Pacific.

And it means qualifying is no longer played through other games.

Samoa missed out in being one of the top four teams that qualified for selection through the IRB circuit. Now Samoa Sevens has to go through the Oceania qualifier games, with Tonga, Australia, Cook Islands, Niue.

In Samoa, Muliagatele said, with other sports, for the Olympics, we don’t have the chance. Rugby Sevens think this is the only sport Samoa can qualify for the biggest sports event in the world.

And he knows that whoever is selected as coach and assistant will be under pressure to perform.

And although he hopes to one day coach the Manu Samoa team, right now, Muliagatele wants to take one step at a time.

“My rugby carer started from the Sevens and my coaching career I want to start from the Sevens and build from there. That’s my dream!”

As for his sons playing rugby one day, Muliagatele is leaving it to them to decide. They play rugby and one son is also into rowing.

“I don’t want to push them. I help them and if they want to play rugby at a top level in the near future, I will help them with their training and skills, [but] I will just leave it to them to enjoy what they want.”

Like their father, perhaps again, its in taking one step at a time.