Manu Samoa has found strong support from a man least expected to say anything nice about their recent failure at the Rugby World Cup in England.
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Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, who is also the Chairman of the Samoa Rugby Union (S.R.U), has called on an angry Samoan rugby public to be grateful and thank the Manu Samoa for flying Samoa’s flag.
“We should acknowledge all the players,” Tuilaepa said during his weekly media conference. “We must remember that for these sons of Samoa, this is their bread and butter."
“If they got injured, that would’ve been the end of it for them and yet they ignored all that to come and carry Samoa’s flag.
So for me, all I can do is give them thanks, thank them for representing our country.”
But the Prime Minister was scathing in his criticisms of referees, match officials and World Rugby, formerly known as the International Rugby Board (I.R.B).
“Referees need to be consistent,” he said.
“I have to say that the referees did not help our cause. In the past, this is why I always criticised the I.R.B.”
The Prime Minister reminded that referees are also humans.
“Referees and officials also have preferences for other teams to win so even when they see something stupid, they will keep quiet (because they want the other team to win).”
Asked whether the S.R.U will look to change the coaching staff of the Manu Samoa, Tuilaepa, who has just returned from New York, said it was early days yet.
“There are processes we have to follow,” he said.
“Maybe next week we will meet with them where we will discuss those things."
“The emphasis now is to train our team for the Sevens because the qualifying tournament for the Olympic is at the end of November.”
The Prime Minister said S.R.U has hired an international coach with the hope that he can help Samoa qualify for Rio next year.
In the meantime, Tuilaepa does not seem upset about the team’s recent result.
“Look, we all watched the games starting from when the All Blacks visited. We all saw that they had the strength and there was talent so there was an expectation.”
“But when they went there (to the World Cup) we saw that something else had happened.
Those other teams’ preparations had lifted and improved dramatically.”
Prior to the World Cup, the Prime Minister said he was excited.
“I thought this was the pool that would get us up there,” he said.
“The other thing the Union worked so hard to do was to look for Good Samaritans. So we found one in Australia. I went there and signed a deal with them and they offered NZ$250,000 to be allocated among the players, nearly $500,000 Samoan tala, if they make the quarterfinal.”
“If they reach the semi final, it would be $500,000 and if they reach the final, it would’ve been a million.”
“So every time I sent them a well wish message, I reminded our boys this.”
“So that wasn't lost on them. Who doesn't want to win that kind of money anyway?”
Looking at the team’s overall performance, Tuilaepa said; “I guess it’s just that was their best.”
“I thank all the players. I acknowledge their hard work in the games that qualified us for the World Cup. I guess it’s just that our opponents were very strong.”
The Prime Minister said there is much work to be done ahead of the next World Cup.
“One of the weaknesses we have is our reliance on our sons overseas unlike New Zealand where all the players play in New Zealand where they know each other’s style of play.”
Tuilaepa also spoke about the issue of depth.
“For New Zealand, they probably have 200,000 players to choose from compared to us where we don't even have five thousand players to choose from. England, Wales, South Africa and others have millions to choose from…” Lastly, the Prime Minister acknowledged the Manu Samoa’s coaching staff and management.
“My vote of thanks goes to coach Stephen Betham, Alama Ieremia, Namuluulu Sami Leota and the players.”
“There was certainly a lot of confusion in terms of refereeing. The referees did not help our cause. There are a lot of writings about many wrong decisions they made.”
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