Most of Samoa were off their feet in the first 40 minutes of the Pacific Nations Cup match against Fiji. We had them and we were looking forward to creating a major upset.

Perhaps the words spoken and the breather were different which led to the second half we are not so proud of. It was good work by the team in the first half matching play for play against the Fijians. This rivalry has been alive well for decades.

The lessons learnt from the match are about the 80—minute game, The first 40 minutes are important but what makes the difference is the magical second spell. The right changes, the right fit to the game and the right men to finish the job that was started in the first half.

There were impressive plays from Samoa in the first half showing signs that this new-look team can make it count. This is not a loss but a building step. This is something that the parent body and the coaches need to note,

The Pacific teams are the best when they play their own game. Very rarely, the Tier One opponents would make the mistake of going for free-flowing rugby against any Pacific team. They know the expense that will come with it.

Do not play free-flowing rugby with any of the Pacific team, that is what the coaches tell their teams at the break or even before the match. The island genes and lifestyle gift our Pacific players with an uncanny natural ability that many in the Western world call wonders.

Perhaps that is what we are missing in our game. The second half talk should have been about doing what the team had done so far. Playing it smart and keeping territory. 

The Pacific nation Cup is very important to Samoa.

This will be the stage where we will determine if we can make it to the next Rugby World Cup. We will be playing Tonga next. The Friendly Islands have not been impressive this season. They lost to Spain and Italy, and Manu Samoa were winners against the two.

Lakapi Samoa has not made much noise about the international being played at home. Hopefully, they are not too focused on the centennial celebrations that they forget the importance that this match has for Manu Samoa.

Fate has fallen kindly for the boys. All they need to do is beat Tonga and they will qualify for the next round of the Pacific Nations Cup. It would be a shame if we cannot do that. This would make it very hard for the team to make it to the next RWC.

These internationals are reminders that we need more game time against top-tier nations. This can only be achieved through proper planning and execution of executive goals. We need to have a better development pathway in place. The local games are not attracting the crowds they used to.

There is a serious need for a revamp of the Lakapi Samoa board. There is a need for new blood. The same step was taken with the new national team and they have impressed so far, despite the loss to Fiji.

There is faith in the new team, similarly, there should be faith in the sporting body. Rugby and other sport that has gone professional is a business, The mentality that it is just sports should be out of the door. What should be in, is the notion that we will make profits?

That is only possible through the right executive plan and without excuses. The international body will continue to support the local body for specific projects only but everything else needs to be done independently. The local competition, club games and school rugby should not be dependent on World Rugby.

Plan rugby better because we need better results. Be a good business and address all problem areas. Rugby is our game and that play needs to be reflected in the sporting body. The first 40 has been made, now it is time for the next 40.