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'Conversations off the field are still the same': The unique connection between Samoa's head coach and most experienced player
Experienced Manu Samoa flanker Jack Lam and new coach Seilala Mapusua share a special connection that’s not all too common in the world of professional rugby.
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Mapusua played 26 tests for Samoa between 2006 and 2013 before finishing his playing career in Japan with the Kamaishi Seawaves. Over the past few years, he’s been working with the Otago Rugby Union but was appointed head coach of Manu Samoa part-way through 2020.
Only now, however, has he been able to name the first squad of his tenure as Samoa prepare for matches against the Maori All Blacks and Tonga.
Lam, who’s notched up 35 tests for the island nation, was certainly one of the first names Mapusua would have had on his list, with Lam captaining Manu Samoa during the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
He’s also one of the few players that Mapusua actually played alongside in the deep blue jersey, with Lam debuting against Scotland in the middle of 2013.
The pair played three test matches together, against Scotland, Italy and South Africa.
While it’s somewhat of an unusual scenario, going from teammate to subordinate, it’s not something that will faze Lam.
“Conversations off the field are still the same and on the field he’s pretty much just demanding what he wants from us,” Lam told RugbyPass following Manu Samoa’s squad announcement on Friday.
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“And we’re all professionals as well, we all know what’s expected from the coach and the players. We know that relationship.”
“I’ve seen it in the past as well.”
The Pacific Island teams deal with a host of challenges that other nations don't have to concern themselves with – but that doesn't faze new @ManuSamoa coach @Lala_Maps.https://t.co/CsRYCXRd66
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) May 28, 2021
Lam is confident that his former teammate is an excellent fit for the role of head coach and the pair will be putting their heads together in the coming weeks to ensure that Samoa can earn an early qualification for the 2023 World Cup – which they’ll be able to accomplish if they win their upcoming series with Tonga.
“On the rugby side of things, he’s always been really tactically aware of the game and his experience speaks for itself – what he’s done on the rugby field,” Lam said.
“Hopefully he can bring a bit of a new spark to our team and hopefully we can start a new legacy now with him and this new team going forward.”
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Mapusua named 13 new caps in the squad, including Glasgow Warriors prop Aki Seiuli, Counties Manukau duo Sam Slade and Kalolo Tuiloma, Melbourne Rebels hooker Albert Anae, Highlanders injury reserve Neria Fomai, former Waratahs hooker JP Sauni and ex-schoolboy star Losi Filipo.
A handful of European-based stars won’t be available for the entire series and were thus omitted altogether while a number of up-and-coming Super Rugby players have all but pledged their allegiance to the side – but aren’t available for selection at present.
Manu Samoa kick their campaign off with two matches against the Maori All Blacks at Sky Stadium in Wellington and Mount Smart in Auckland before taking on Tonga at Mount Smart and in Hamilton.
Comments on RugbyPass
Think you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
5 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
12 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
5 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
7 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
7 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
12 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
12 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
5 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
7 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
12 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
12 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
5 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
5 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
12 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
46 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
12 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
12 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
12 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to comments