Pathway to Manu Samoa

By Sina Sevaaetasi 25 September 2016, 12:00AM

The clash of the two evenly matched teams produced a great game of high intensity rugby at Apia Park yesterday.  

The event was the Samoa A trials.

Around 60 athletes were in attendance and split into  two teams, the Savaii team wearing blue and the Upolu team wearing white.  The teams have been preparing for this game for 3 weeks. 

The players were being assessed by Head Coach, Namulauulu Alama Ieremia, alongside Ramsey Tomokino , Potu Leavasa and management.  

The ultimate aim for the Samoa A team is to develop a pathway to Manu Samoa. 

Ieremia stated, “We’re trying to use this team as a pathway for Manu Samoa. It’s very important that the protocols and trainings are very close to the Manu Samoa. For me it’s an important program both locally and overseas as well. I have very high expectations for this program. I’m hoping it brings a lot more local players to be part of.”

Not only are the players being developed but the level of coaching is being enhanced.  

According to Head Coach, Ieremia. “This campaign was also to introduce the local coaches to trainings and techniques.  I thought it was a huge success from a coach’s point of view.  Hopefully, the audience got to see the type of rugby we’re trying to grow here.”

The selected players will be heading to Uruguay for the Americas Pacific Challenge in October. 

Ieremia’s expectations for the team is, “I have high expectations for any tournament especially when representing Samoa.”

According to Ieremia, “part of the goals of this program is to give local players an opportunity but also to introduce them to what is to be expected at Manu Samoa level.”

“On the field and off the field, tournaments are about winning, I certainly believe we got to these tournaments and international competitions to win. “

“That’s the whole point of programs like this, to develop them on island, find out who’s the best and go overseas and try to win these tournaments.”

After deliberation, the coaches will release the official roster for the Samoa A team tomorrow.

By Sina Sevaaetasi 25 September 2016, 12:00AM
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