Samoa national rugby union team

Samoa

Nickname(s)	Manu Samoa
Emblem	Southern cross
Union	Samoa Rugby Union
Head coach	Alama Ieremia
Captain	David Lemi
Most caps	Brian Lima (64)
Top scorer	Earl Va'a (172)
Top try scorer	Brian Lima (29)
Home stadium	Apia Park
First colours Second colours
World Rugby ranking
Current	14 (as of 21 November 2016)
Highest	7 (2013)
Lowest	15 (2016)
First international
Samoa 0–6 Fiji (Apia, Samoa; 18 August 1924)
Biggest win
Samoa 115–7 Papua New Guinea (Apia, Samoa; 11 July 2009)
Biggest defeat
New Zealand 101–14 Samoa (New Plymouth, New Zealand; 3 September 2008)
World Cup
Appearances	6 (First in 1991)
Best result	Quarter-finals, 1991, 1995
Website	www.manusamoa.com

The Samoa national rugby union team (also known as Manu Samoa) is the men's representative side of Samoa in rugby union. The Samoa Rugby Union is owned by the affiliated rugby unions of Samoa. The name Manu Samoa is in honour of a famous Samoan warrior. They perform a traditional Samoan challenge called the siva tau before each game. Samoa Rugby Union were formerly members of the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance (PIRA) along with Fiji and Tonga.^[1] They are ranked 12th in the world.^[2]

Rugby was introduced to Samoa in the early 1920s and a governing body was soon formed. The first international was played as Western Samoa against Fiji in August 1924. Along with Tonga, these nations would meet regularly and eventually contest competitions such as the Pacific Tri-Nations – with Western Samoa winning the first of these. From 1924 to 1997 Samoa was known and competed as Western Samoa.

Samoa have been to every Rugby World Cup since the 1991 tournament. That tournament, along with the 1995 competition saw them make the quarter-finals. Under their new coach, the All Blacks legend Michael Jones (himself of Samoan descent and a Samoan international), Samoa competed in the 2007 Rugby World Cup. However, Samoa had a dismal World Cup campaign, winning only one match and finishing fourth in their group. Samoa showed an improved performance at the 2011 Rugby World Cup, winning two matches by comfortable margins, and losing close matches to South Africa and Wales.

Manu Samoa play in blue and white uniforms. They do not train on Sundays because many of the team are devout Christians.

History

The Marist Brothers brought the game of rugby to Western Samoa in 1924 and The Western Samoa Rugby Football Union was formed in 1924. On 18 August 1924, Western Samoa played its first international against Fiji in the capital Apia, the visitors winning 6–0. The match was played at 7am to allow the Samoans time to get to work afterwards and was played on a pitch with a large tree on the halfway line. The return match was won 9–3 by Samoa to draw the series.

In 1954 Western Samoan visited both Pacific Island neighbors Fiji and Tonga but had to wait a further 20 years before a tour of New Zealand took place. The Samoans won one of eight matches on that tour.

The traditional tri-series between Tonga, Fiji and Western Samoa was established in 1982 with Western Samoa winning the first tournament. Wales visited Western Samoa and won the test 32–16 at Apia. The tour led to a return visit to Wales which brought Western Samoa out of International limbo, although Western Samoa were not invited to the first Rugby World Cup in 1987.

The following year a 14-match tour of Europe took place before a World Cup elimination series in Tokyo, which gave Western Samoa a place in the 1991 Rugby World Cup in Britain. They made a huge impact. After sweeping aside Wales 16–13 in Cardiff and defeating Argentina 35–12, and narrowly losing 3–9 to eventual champions Australia in their pool match, Western Samoa, a country with a population of 160,000, found itself in the quarterfinals against Scotland at Murrayfield. The Scots won comfortably 28–6, but the Samoans were clearly the personality team of the tournament.

Over the next two years the side had a number of notable wins. The most outstanding achievement were in Sevens where it won the 1993 Hong Kong and 1992 Middlesex Sevens. The 1995 Rugby World Cup in South Africa proved that the team belonged in top company. They again reached the quarterfinals after wins over Argentina and Italy, but were beaten 42–14 by the eventual winners South Africa. After the Cup, Manu Samoa made a 13-match tour of England and Scotland, drawing 15–15 with the Scots and going down 27–9 to England.

With the advent of professional rugby in 1995 it was vital for Manu Samoa to develop a new administrative structure. This was made possible with Fay Richwhite and the Western Samoan Rugby Union joining forces to form Manu Samoa Rugby Limited. Fay Richwhite invested $5 million from 1995 to 2004 into Samoan rugby.^[3][4]

Samoa emerged from the 1999 World Cup with its honor intact after another shock 38–31 victory over host nation Wales in the pool stages. They again lost out to Scotland in the quarter final play-off.

Manu Samoa qualified for the 2003 World Cup with a 17–16 loss against Fiji, Earl Va'a missing an injury-time penalty. They recovered to beat Tonga both home and away and avenged that Fijian defeat with a 22–12 win in Nadi. They ultimately had to settle for second place in the round robin, behind Fiji on points difference, and a place in the tougher of the two Rugby World Cup 2003 pools alongside automatic qualifiers England and South Africa. In one of the games of the tournament, they led eventual champions England for most of the game before losing 35–22.

Samoa qualified for the 2011 World Cup after beating Papua New Guinea 73–12 in Port Moresby on 18 July 2009. They won 188–19 on aggregate over two matches against Papua New Guinea, having won 115–7 at Apia Park the previous week.^[5]

Samoa began their 2011 World Cup campaign preparation with a flying start, after registering an upset against No.2 ranked Australia with a four-try-to-two win of 32–23.^[6]

World Cup record

Samoa performing their Siva Tau before playing South Africa at the 2007 Rugby World Cup

Year(s)	Result
1987	Did not participate
1991	Quarterfinals
1995	Quarterfinals
1999	Quarterfinal play-offs
2003	Pool stage
2007	Pool stage
2011	Pool stage
2015	Pool stage

In one of the scenes of the feature film, Invictus, Western Samoa can be seen playing South Africa in the 1995 Rugby World Cup.

Wins against Tier 1 nations

6 October 1991	Wales	13–16	Samoa	Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff
	Try: I Evans Emyr Con: Ring Pen: Ring	Report	Try: Vaega Vaifale Con: Vaea Pen: Vaea (2)	Attendance: 45,000 Referee: Patrick Robin (France)

13 October 1991	Argentina	12–35	Samoa	Sardis Road, Pontypridd
	Try: Teran Nougues Con: Arbizu Pen: Arbizu Laborde	Report	Try: Bachop Bunce Lima (2) Tagaloa (2) Con: Vaea (4) Pen: Vaea	Attendance: 8,500

25 June 1994	Samoa	34–9	Wales	Moamoa
	Try: Lam Lima (2) Con: Kellett (2) Pen: Kellett (5)	Report	Pen: N Jenkins (3)	Referee: Barry Leask (Australia)

27 May 1995	Italy	18–42	Samoa	ABSA Stadium, East London
	Try: Cuttitta Vaccari Con: Domínguez Pen: Domínguez Drop: Domínguez	Report	Try: Harder (2) Kellett Lima (2) Tatupu Con: Kellett (3) Pen: Kellett (2)	Attendance: 12,000 Referee: Joel Dume (France)

30 May 1995	Argentina	26–32	Samoa	ABSA Stadium, East London
	Try: Crexell Penalty Try Con: Cilley (2) Pen: Cilley (4)	Report	Try: Harder Lam Leaupepe Con: Kellett Pen: Kellett (5)	Attendance: 15,000 Referee: David Bishop (New Zealand)

12 November 1996	Ireland	25–40	Samoa	Lansdowne Road, Dublin
	Try: Wallace Con: Mason Pen: Mason (6)	Report	Try: Leaupepe Patu So'oalo Vaega (2) Con: Va'a (3) Pen: Va'a (3)	Referee: Santiago Borsani (Argentina)

14 October 1999	Wales	31–38	Samoa	Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
	Try: Thomas Penalty Try (2) Con: N Jenkins (2) Pen: N Jenkins (4)	Report	Try: Bachop (2) Falaniko Lam Leaega Con: Leaega (5) Pen: Leaega	Attendance: 72,500 Referee: Ed Morrison (England)

8 July 2000	Samoa	43–24	Italy	Apia Park, Apia
	Try: Lima Samania So'oalo Vaega Vili Con: Samania (3) Pen: Samania (4)	Report	Try: Checchinato Moscardi Stoica Con: Pez (3) Drop: Pez	Attendance: 7,500 Referee: Tappe Henning (South Africa)

24 November 2001	Italy	9–17	Samoa	Stadio Tommaso Fattori, L'Aquila
	Pen: Domínguez (3)	Report	Try: Fa'atau Pen: Leaega (2) Vili (2)	Attendance: 8,000 Referee: Robert G. Davies (Wales)

3 December 2005	Argentina	12–28	Samoa	Buenos Aires
	Try: Agulla Fernández Lobbe Con: Fernández Miranda	Report	Try: Johnston Sititi Tagicakibau Con: Warren (2) Pen: Warren (2) Drop: Warren	Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)

17 July 2011	Australia	23–32	Samoa	Stadium Australia, Sydney
	Try: Ioane 37' Giteau 70' Con: Giteau (38', 71') Pen: Giteau (40', 41', 57')	Report	Try: Tuilagi 11' Williams 28' Thompson 45' G Pisi 54' Con: T Pisi (13', 29', 55') Pen: T Pisi (3', 65')	Attendance: 29,908 Referee: Marius Jonker (South Africa)

16 November 2012	Wales	19–26	Samoa	Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
	Try: Beck 32' Con: Halfpenny (1/1) 33' Pen: Halfpenny (4/5) 15', 28', 49', 61'	Report	Try: Autagavaia 1' c G Pisi 46' m Leota 77' m Con: T Pisi (1/3) 2' Pen: T Pisi (3/6) 40', 56', 65'	Attendance: 44,329 Referee: Pascal Gauzère (France)

8 June 2013	Samoa	27–17	Scotland	Mr Price Kings Park, Durban
	Try: So'oialo 6' c Tuilagi (2) 11' c, 62' c Con: So'oialo (3/3) 8', 13', 64' Pen: So'oialo (2/3) 53', 69'		Try: Lamont 49' m Pen: Laidlaw (4/5) 10', 18', 31', 41'	Attendance: 9,753 Referee: John Lacey (Ireland)

15 June 2013	Samoa	39–10	Italy	Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
	Try: Williams 20' c Leiua 41' m Leota 53' c Tuifu'a 63' c Va'aulu 72' c Con: Williams (3/4) 21', 53', 64' Anufe (1/1) 73' Pen: Williams (2/3) 30', 51'		Try: Penalty try 70' c Con: di Bernardo (1/1) 70' Pen: Orquera (1/3) 27'	Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)

14 June 2014	Samoa	15–0	Italy	Apia Park, Apia
14:00 WST (UTC+13)	Pen: T. Pisi (5/7) 10', 24', 30', 47', 69'	Report (In Italian)		Attendance: 7,000 Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)

Overall record

World Rugby Rankings
Top 30 rankings as of 5 December 2016[7]
Rank	Change*	Team	Points
1		New Zealand	94.78
2		England	89.84
3		Australia	86.97
4		Ireland	84.62
5	1	Wales	82.55
6	1	South Africa	81.79
7		Scotland	80.67
8		France	80.13
9		Argentina	79.91
10		Fiji	76.46
11		Japan	74.22
12		Georgia	74.14
13		Italy	72.47
14	1	Tonga	71.94
15	1	Samoa	71.25
16		Romania	69.36
17		United States	64.66
18		Canada	63.95
19		Russia	63.25
20		Namibia	62.78
21		Uruguay	60.66
22		Spain	60.17
23		Kenya	59.28
24		Germany	58.99
25		Portugal	56.97
26		Belgium	56.87
27		Hong Kong	56.50
28		South Korea	55.50
29		Chile	55.08
30		Netherlands	54.93
*Change from the previous week
Samoa's historical rankings
Source: World Rugby - Graph updated to 5 December 2016[7]

Below is table of the representative rugby matches played by a Samoa national XV at test level up until 26 November 2016.^[8]

Opponent	Played	Won	Lost	Drawn	Win %	For	Aga	Diff
Argentina	4	3	1	0	75%	111	82	+29
Australia	5	1	4	0	20.00%	58	204	−146
Belgium	1	1	0	0	100.00%	37	8	+29
Canada	6	6	0	0	100.00%	169	103	+66
England	7	0	7	0	0.00%	100	244	-144
Fiji	50	20	27	3	40.00%	880	977	-97
Fiji XV	3	0	3	0	0.00%	20	58	-38
France	4	0	4	0	0.00%	49	156	-107
Georgia	4	1	2	1	25.00%	96	64	+32
Ireland	6	1	5	0	16.67%	103	209	-106
Italy	7	5	2	0	71.42%	175	109	+66
Japan	15	11	4	0	73.33%	482	273	+209
South Korea	1	1	0	0	100.00%	74	7	+67
Namibia	2	2	0	0	100.00%	89	25	+64
New Zealand	6	0	6	0	0.00%	72	333	-261
Papua New Guinea	2	2	0	0	100.00%	188	19	+169
Romania	1	0	1	0	0.00%	24	32	-8
Scotland	10	1	8	1	10.00%	155	254	-99
South Africa	9	0	9	0	0.00%	99	431	-332
Tonga	61	33	24	4	54.10%	1070	882	+188
United States	5	5	0	0	100.00%	117	85	+32
Uruguay	1	1	0	0	100.00%	60	13	+47
Wales	9	4	5	0	44.44%	163	216	-49
West Germany	1	1	0	0	100.00%	54	9	+45
Total	220	99	112	9	45.00%	4445	4793	-348

Current squad

On 17 October, Alama Ieremia named a 33-man squad ahead of their 2016 November internationals against France (12 November), Georgia (19 November) and Canada (25 November).^[9]

Talaga Alofipo was later called up to the squad ahead of the first test against France.

• Head Coach: Alama Ieremia
• Assistant Coach: Semo Sititi
• Assistant Coach: Richard Watt
• Assistant Coach: Daniel Cron
• Caps Updated: 26 November 2016

Note: Flags indicate national union for the club/province as defined by World Rugby.

Player Position Date of Birth (Age) Caps Club/province Avei, OleOle Avei Hooker June 13, 1983 24 Bordeaux Bègles Elia, EliaElia Elia Hooker January 22, 1996 3 Canterbury Leiataua, ManuManu Leiataua Hooker December 26, 1986 13 Bayonne Johnston, CensusCensus Johnston Prop May 6, 1981 56 Toulouse Leatigaga, NephiNephi Leatigaga Prop December 5, 1993 1 Manurewa Mulipola, Logovi'iLogovi'i Mulipola Prop March 11, 1987 20 Leicester Tigers Perenise, AnthonyAnthony Perenise Prop October 18, 1982 30 Bristol Sasagi, HisaHisa Sasagi Prop June 29, 1987 1 Otago Taulafo, SakariaSakaria Taulafo Prop January 29, 1983 44 Stade Français Alofipo, TalagaTalaga Alofipo Lock November 21, 1992 2 Vaimoso Faʻasalele, PiulaPiula Faʻasalele Lock January 22, 1988 5 Toulouse Lemalu, Fa'atigaFa'atiga Lemalu Lock April 17, 1989 18 Sunwolves Lepa, JeffJeff Lepa Lock September 10, 1991 6 Tasman Paulo, FiloFilo Paulo Lock November 6, 1987 27 Benetton Treviso Vui, ChrisChris Vui Lock February 11, 1993 1 North Harbour Fa'afou, OneoneOneone Fa'afou Flanker June 2, 1992 4 Vaiala Foe, GregGreg Foe Flanker December 17, 1991 5 Wellington Lam, JackJack Lam Flanker November 18, 1987 21 Bristol Mamea, GenesisGenesis Mamea Flanker September 22, 1988 3 Perpignan Fa'osiliva, AlafotiAlafoti Fa'osiliva Number 8 October 28, 1985 21 Worcester Warriors Cowley, PelePele Cowley Scrum-half April 16, 1993 6 Waikato Fotuali'i, KahnKahn Fotuali'i Scrum-half May 22, 1982 31 Bath Tusitala, DannyDanny Tusitala Scrum-half October 18, 1991 3 Ponsonby Fa'apale, PatrickPatrick Fa'apale Fly-half May 3, 1991 12 Vaiala Leuila, D'angeloD'angelo Leuila Fly-half January 18, 1997 5 Southland Lee-Lo, ReyRey Lee-Lo Centre February 20, 1986 11 Cardiff Blues Peleseuma, OpeOpe Peleseuma Centre February 11, 1992 1 Old Boys Marist Pisi, GeorgeGeorge Pisi Centre June 29, 1986 21 Northampton Saints Stanley, WinstonWinston Stanley Centre February 11, 1989 3 Harlequins Williams, PaulPaul Williams Centre April 22, 1983 19 Stade Français Lemi, DavidDavid Lemi (c) Wing February 10, 1982 48 Bristol Perez, PaulPaul Perez Wing July 26, 1986 19 Toulouse Pisi, KenKen Pisi Wing February 24, 1989 12 Northampton Saints Nikoro, AlbertAlbert Nikoro Fullback August 7, 1992 5 Western Force Tuala, AhseeAhsee Tuala Fullback August 23, 1989 5 Northampton Saints

Individual all-time records

Most caps

#	Player	Pos	Span	Mat	Start	Sub	Pts	Tries	Won	Lost	Draw	%
1	Brian Lima	Wing	1991–2007	64	61	3	140	29	31	31	2	50.00
2	To'o Vaega	Centre	1986–2001	61	56	5	71	0	35	25	1	58.19
3	Semo Sititi	Flanker	1999–2009	59	50	9	85	17	33	26	0	55.93
4	Census Johnston	Prop	2005–	52	40	12	20	4	23	28	1	45.49
5	Opeta Palepoi	Lock	1998–2005	43	30	13	10	2	24	19	0	55.81
6	David Lemi	Wing	2004–2014	42	34	8	55	11	19	22	1	46.42
7	Mahonri Schwalger	Hooker	2000–11	40	33	7	20	4	18	22	0	45.00
	Zak Taulafo	Prop	2009-	40	35	5	5		18	20	2	47.50
9	Daniel Leo	Wing	2005–	39	33	6	0	0	22	16	1	57.69
10	Steve So'oialo	Scrum-half	1998–2007	38	31	7	25	5	18	20	0	47.36

Last updated: Scotland vs Samoa, 10 October 2015. Statistics include officially capped matches only.^[10]

Most tries

#	Player	Pos	Span	Mat	Start	Sub	Pts	Tries
1	Brian Lima	Wing	1991–2007	64	61	3	140	29
2	Alesana Tuilagi	Wing	2002–2015	37	35	2	90	18
3	Semo Sititi	Flanker	1999–2009	59	50	9	85	17
4	Afato So'oalo	Wing	1996–2001	20	18	2	75	15
5	Lome Fa'atau	Wing	2000–2007	35	31	4	70	14
6	To'o Vaega	Centre	1986–2001	61	56	5	71	12
7	David Lemi	Wing	2004–2014	42	34	8	55	11
8	George Leaupepe	Centre	1995–2005	26	23	3	50	10
9	Elvis Seveali'i	Centre	2000–2007	20	16	4	45	9
10.	3 players on 7 tries

Last updated: Scotland vs Samoa, 10 October 2015. Statistics include officially capped matches only.^[11]

Most points

#	Player	Pos	Span	Mat	Pts	Tries	Conv	Pens	Drop
1	Earl Va'a	Fly-half	1996–2003	28	174	3	36	31	0
2	Tusi Pisi	Fly-half	2011–	25	172	2	13	44	2
3	Silao Leaega	Fullback	1997–2002	19	145	2	21	31	0
4	Brian Lima	Wing	1991–2007	64	140	29	0	0	0
5	Darren Kellett	Fly-half	1993–1995	13	137	2	14	31	2
6	Roger Warren	Fly-half	2004–08	12	119	0	13	29	2
7	Gavin Williams	Centre	2007–10	16	106	5	18	15	0
8	Tanner Vili	Fly-half	1999–2006	31	99	4	20	13	0
9	Alesana Tuilagi	Wing	2002–	37	90	18	0	0	0
10	Semo Sititi	Flanker	1999–2009	59	85	17	0	0	0

Last updated: Scotland vs Samoa, 10 October 2015. Statistics include officially capped matches only.^[12]

Most points in a match

#	Player	Pos	Pts	Tries	Conv	Pens	Drop	Opposition	Venue	Date
1.	Gavin Williams	Centre	30	2	10	0	0	Papua New Guinea	Apia	11/07/2009
2.	Roger Warren	Fly-half	24	0	0	8	0	Tonga	Apia	29/05/2004
3.	Andrew Aiolupo	Fullback	23	1	8	1	0	South Korea	Tokyo	08/04/1990
	Silao Leaega	Fullback	23	1	3	4	0	Japan	Wrexham	03/10/1999
	Toa Samania	Fullback	23	1	3	4	0	Italy	Apia	08/07/2000
6.	Darren Kellett	Fly-half	22	0	2	5	1	Tonga	Moamoa	04/06/1994
7.	To'o Vaega	Centre	21	1	4	3	0	Fiji	Apia	01/06/1991
	Earl Va'a	Fly-half	21	1	5	2	0	Georgia	Perth	19/10/2003
	Roger Warren	Fly-half	21	0	3	4	1	Fiji	Apia	09/07/2005
10.	5 players on 20 points

Last updated: Scotland vs Samoa, 10 October 2015. Statistics include officially capped matches only.^[13]

Most tries in a match

#	Player	Pos	Pts	Tries	Conv	Pens	Drop	Opposition	Venue	Date
1.	Elvis Seveali'i	Wing	20	4	0	0	0	Japan	Apia	10/06/2000
	Alesana Tuilagi	Wing	20	4	0	0	0	Tonga	Apia	02/07/2005
	Esera Lauina	Wing	20	4	0	0	0	Papua New Guinea	Apia	11/07/2009
	Robert Lilomaiava	Wing	20	4	0	0	0	Canada	Colwyn Bay	09/11/2012
5.	Tupo Fa'amasino	Wing	12	3	0	0	0	South Korea	Tokyo	08/04/1990
	Brian Lima	Centre	12	3	0	0	0	Fiji	Apia	01/06/1991
	Afato So'oalo	Wing	15	3	0	0	0	Tonga	Apia	28/06/1997
	Dominic Feau'nati	Wing	15	3	0	0	0	Namibia	Windhoek	12/07/2003
	Mikaela Pesamino	Wing	15	3	0	0	0	Papua New Guinea	Port Moresby	18/07/2009
	Alesana Tuilagi	Wing	15	3	0	0	0	Namibia	Rotorua	14/09/2011

Last updated: Scotland vs Samoa, 10 October 2015. Statistics include officially capped matches only.^[11]

Most matches as captain

#	Player	Pos	Span	Mat	Won	Lost	Draw	%	Pts	Tries	Conv	Pens	Drop
1.	Semo Sititi	Flanker	2000–2007	39	19	20	0	48.71	45	9	0	0	0
2.	Pat Lam	Number 8	1995–1999	23	8	13	2	39.13	10	2	0	0	0
3.	Peter Fatialofa	Prop	1990–1995	16	11	5	0	68.75	9	2	0	0	0
4.	Mahonri Schwalger	Hooker	2009–2011	13	5	8	0	38.46	0	0	0	0	0
5.	David Lemi	Wing	2012–2014	12	7	4	1	62.50	25	5	0	0	0
6.	George Stowers	Number 8	2008–2009	7	4	3	0	57.14	10	2	0	0	0
7.	Filipo Levi	Lock	2008–2011	3	1	2	0	33.33	0	0	0	0	0
	Taufusi Salesa	Centre	1984–1987	3	0	3	0	0.00	10	0	2	2	0
	Paul Williams	Centre	2013	3	2	1	0	66.66	19	1	4	2	0
10.	9 players on 2 matches

Last updated: Scotland vs Samoa, 10 October 2015. Statistics include officially capped matches only.^[14]

Youngest players

#	Player	Pos	Age	Opposition	Venue	Date
1.	Anitele'a Tuilagi	Centre	19 years and 27 days	Tonga	Apia	02/07/2005
2.	Carl Manu	(Centre)	19 years and 59 days	Fiji	Apia	01/06/2002
3.	Brian Lima	Centre	19 years and 123 days	Tonga	Nuku'alofa	28/05/1991
4.	Va'a Tasi	Wing	19 years and 136 days	Fiji	Suva	04/07/1981
5.	Esera Puleitu	Fly-half	19 years and 149 days	South Africa	Johannesburg	13/04/1995
6.	Na'ama Leleimalefaga	(Prop)	19 years and 180 days	Fiji	Apia	19/05/2007
7.	Roysiu Tolufale	(Prop)	19 years and 271 days	New Zealand	New Plymouth	03/09/2008
8.	Lio Falaniko	Flanker	19 years and 273 days	Tonga	Apia	17/06/1990
	Timoteo Iosua	Fullback	19 years and 273 days	Japan	New Plymouth	17/06/2006
10.	Mussolini Schuster	Wing	19 years and 342 days	Scotland	Murrayfield	18/11/2000

Last updated: Scotland vs Samoa, 10 October 2015. Statistics include officially capped matches only.^[15]

Oldest players

#	Player	Pos	Age	Opposition	Venue	Date
1.	Peter Fatialofa	Prop	37 years and 85 days	Fiji	Suva	20/07/1996
2.	To'o Vaega	(Centre)	36 years and 86 days	Ireland	Lansdowne Road	11/11/2001
3.	Maurie Fa'asavalu	Flanker	35 years and 271 days	Scotland	Newcastle	10/10/2015
4.	Brian Lima	Centre	35 years and 240 days	England	Nantes	22/09/2007
5.	John Schuster	Centre	35 years and 160 days	United States	Apia	26/06/1999
6.	Semo Sititi	Number 8	35 years and 134 days	Papua New Guinea	Port Moresby	18/07/2009
7.	Afa Leu'u	Prop	34 years and 315 days	Ireland	Lansdowne Road	12/11/1996
8.	Jeremy Tomuli	Prop	34 years and 247 days	Japan	New Plymouth	17/06/2006
9.	Alesana Tuilagi	Centre	34 years and 221 days	Japan	Milton Keynes	03/10/2015
10.	Tani Fuga	(Hooker)	34 years and 64 days	Tonga	Montpellier	16/09/2007

Last updated: Scotland vs Samoa, 10 October 2015. Statistics include officially capped matches only.^[16]

The New Zealand connection

Western Samoa's triumph in the 1991 Rugby World Cup was inspired by their assistant coach Bryan Williams, who was a New Zealand-born (of Samoan descent) All Black great of the 1970s. The 1991 Samoan World Cup team included many New Zealand born or raised players; the catalyst was Auckland prop Peter Fatialofa, who in 1989, became the first major New Zealand-based player to play for Samoa. By the time of the 1991 World Cup several other New Zealand-born Samoans like Pat Lam, Stephen Bachop, Frank Bunce and Apollo Perelini had joined him. New Zealand born players with Samoan parentage have played for Samoa, such as Earl Va'a, Pat Lam and Lome Fa'atau.

The rugby relationship that exists between New Zealand and Samoa is a complex one. Close ties exist between the two countries, these bonds first being formed with the start of mass Polynesian migration to New Zealand in the latter half of the twentieth century. In the 2007 World Cup there were 14 New Zealand-born players in the Samoan squad.^[17] The only team with more foreign born players in their squad was Italy who had 15.^[17]

See also

• World Cup
• Pacific Tri-Nations
• Pacific Islanders rugby union team
• Samoa Rugby Football Union
• Samoa national rugby league team

Notes

1. We quit: SRU Samoa Observer
2. "World Rugby Rankings". World Rugby.
3. "Samoa's Prime Minister praises banker, Sir Michael Fay, for supporting Manu Samoa". Radio New Zealand International. 18 April 2004. Retrieved 7 November 2011.
4. "Fay: Samoans need change". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
5. "Samoa qualify for 2011 World Cup". BBC Sport. 18 July 2009. Retrieved 4 August 2009.
6. Samoa shock Australia with 32–23 win in Sydney BBC Sport, 17 July 2011
7. "World Rankings". World Rugby. Retrieved 5 December 2016.
8. Samoa rugby statistics
9. Five new caps in Manu Samoa squad
10. http://stats.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/records/player/most_matches.html?id=15;type=team
11. http://stats.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/records/player/most_tries_match.html?id=15;type=team
12. http://stats.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/records/player/most_points.html?id=15;type=team
13. http://stats.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/records/player/most_points_match.html?id=15;type=team
14. http://stats.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/records/player/most_matches_captain.html?id=15;type=team
15. http://stats.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/records/player/youngest_appearance.html?id=15;type=team
16. http://stats.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/records/player/oldest_appearance.html?id=15;type=team
17. "All those born abroad". Planet Rugby. Archived from the original on 11 October 2007. Retrieved 2 October 2007.

External links

• Official website of Manu Samoa
• Samoa Rugby Union
• Manu Samoa Looking Forward For RWC2011 Manu Samoa Rugby blog
• Samoan rugby union news Planet Rugby
• The information website for supporters of the Manu Samoa Rugby Team
• Rankings International Rugby Board
• Pacific Islanders Rugby Team Supporters Site