Samoa in it to win it!

By Sina Filifilia Sevaaetasi 09 January 2017, 12:00AM

Stronger, smarter, and fitter, the Samoa rugby team is building up nicely for the Brisbane Global Ten’s.  

The Samoa Rugby Union has officially appointed Manu Samoa Head Coach, Namulauulu Alama Ieremia as the man to lead the team in Brisbane.

With the help of local coaches, Namulauulu has been working with the squad since early December to get them accustomed to the 10’s playing style.  

“The key for me around the Brisbane 10s preparation is that we have an understanding between the difference between 7s and 10s.  That game understanding is very important for us going into the tournament in Brisbane because we’re going to play professional teams that will be very strong.  We’ve got to have the right mentality going into it.”

 “That’s the main reason why we have games every week.  The players need to understand that you need to play games rather than train to understand that.  So far it’s been great, I think the players’ understanding has come up a level although we certainly stillhave a long way to go,” the Head Coach said.   

“I think the best factor of the squad to date is the commitment of some of the local players who really want to put their hands up and this is always the toughest time for training.  At the end of the year, the festive season is upon us yet there has been commitment and dedication from players through all the training.”

“They’re certainly getting fitter and stronger. But as I said, we’ve still got a fair way to go. “ 

Although the majority of the team selected will be locally-based, Namulauulu has called in some recruits from overseas to participate in the final trials which will take place next weekend at Apia Park.   One big name confirmed is Sevens star, Fa’alemiga Selesele. 

Samoa will need to assemble the strongest squad possible for the tournament to go head to head against professional teams such as Toulon, Panasonic Wild Knights and the Blue Bulls.   

The stakes are high and Samoa definitely has their eyes set on the AUS $1.6 million prize money.  

And the Chief Executive Officer of the Samoa Rugby Union, Faleomavaega Vincent Fepuleai reiterated the importance of the team doing well.

“We’ve been preparing for the last 6-8 weeks and majority of that team will be locally selected. The Manu Samoa Head Coach will be taking them over.  So we’re not going there to make up the numbers, there’s quite a lot of prize money involved in that tournament.  We‘ve got to take care of ourselves and try and win it.”

By Sina Filifilia Sevaaetasi 09 January 2017, 12:00AM
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