It’s official. There is a “possibility” that the long-awaited test match between the Manu Samoa and the All Blacks at Apia Park could be happening as early as next July.
The confirmation came from the Chief Executive Officer of the New Zealand Rugby Union (N.Z.R.U), Steve Tew, yesterday.
It follows an energetic campaign to bring the All Blacks to Samoa, jointly pushed by John Campbell of TV3’s Campbell Live and the Samoa Observer Newspaper Group.
“We have had positive initial conversations with the IRB and our partner Air New Zealand, who have committed early support to the prospect of taking the All Blacks to Samoa,” Mr. Tew is quoted in a statement issued to the Sunday Samoan.
“It is fair to say that at 2015 Test is a possibility…”
Mr. Tew, however, would not commit to a time and date.
“Until we’ve worked through those important aspects, we’re not in a position to confirm anything beyond it remains our desire for the All Blacks to play in Samoa.”
Mr. Tew though said the N.Z.R.U remains keen to play in Samoa.
“But there remains a number of considerations we have to work through, including timing, commercial feasibility and the team's preparations for Rugby World Cup 2015.”
It was not possible to obtain a comment from the Samoa Rugby Union yesterday. Whereas the Chairman and Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi was not immediately available, C.E.O Fred Amoa did not respond to phone calls.
Meanwhile, the news spread quickly yesterday and people were quick to rejoice.
“Oh praise the Lord if they do come,” Sara Siliato, of Vaiusu, told the Sunday Samoan.
“Finally they can come so we can see and shake hands with them in person because we’ve only seen them on television."
“It will be such an honour to have them here in our country for once because after all, they’ve never been here.”
Setu Muta Savea, of Malie and Afega, said the news is “a dream come true.”
“There are many young Samoan boys with talent that need motivation and I think that having the All Blacks here will give them that motivation,” he said.
Mika Brown, of Tuana’i, was nearly speechless.
“Wow,” he said before pausing.
Regaining his speech, he added: “It’s going to be the time of our lives because come to think of it, it’s been years and yet the All Blacks have never been here in this country."
“Samoa and New Zealand are that close so they must come and ensure that that connection is there. I’m so happy that they can finally come. It’s going to be a challenge to our boys as well.”
For years, the countries have been trying to reach this historic deal. Samoa and New Zealand have played five tests since their first duel at Eden Park in 1993 when the All Blacks were pushed hard before winning 35-13.
Each subsequent test has been played in New Zealand.
Earlier this year, Mr. Tew confirmed that the All Blacks are definitely coming.
“When it fits, we’ll do it, we’re open to it. The door is not closed on us playing in Samoa, we will get there one day but it has to be right when it’s done.”
“The World Cup year gives us a better window frankly and if we were to find some way of playing a game during World Cup year, we would do that.”
“We haven’t absolutely closed the door for next year because Steve (Hansen) and his team are still thinking about what’s best for the team’s preparations but our job is to go to a World Cup and give our guys the best possible chance of winning.”
Mr. Tew said the All Blacks would absolutely love to play in Apia, given that Samoa and New Zealand share such a rich rugby history.
“We’ve got five centurions in the All Blacks and two of them are Samoans. We’ve had Samoan test captains, we’ve got a Samoan President so we’ve got a lot of history and a lot of connections both ways.”
Mr. Tew was interviewed as part of Campbell Live’s campaign to bring the All Blacks to Samoa. Since Mr. Campbell returned to New Zealand, the campaign has been gaining some traction.
Rugby fans around New Zealand believe a test in Samoa would be a way to give back to a country that has given so much, and help Manu Samoa grow into a true rugby power.
“We’ve always said that we have a lot of sympathy about the argument that we should’ve been there,” Mr. Tew said. “We certainly don't rule that out, we’d love to get there at some point but it’s a complicated business.”
According to the New Zealand Herald yesterday, the All Blacks are looking to come to Samoa next year after the Super 15.
The Herald says that Super rugby would continue through June and because there are no in-bound tours - and with the All Blacks looking to get in some match play before the abbreviated Rugby Championship - it's understood they have agreed to travel and play at Apia Park.
When the Prime Ministers of Samoa and New Zealand met in Apia last month, Tuilaepa was optimistic.
"The All Blacks have agreed to play on our soil and we are negotiating a good time to suit the players," Tuilaepa said.
Acknowledging that it was expensive for a test to be played in Apia, Tuilaepa said the time was right.
"Our boys have to come and shiver in the cold in New Zealand playing the All Blacks and so it's time for them to come here and enjoy the sun.”
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