Manusina turn to 18-year veteran as new head coach

Manusina Samoa have appointed legendary playmaker Bella Milo as the team’s newest head coach.

The 39-year-old takes over from Ramsey Tomokino, who led the team at last year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup.

During her playing career Milo enjoyed an 18-year Test rugby career with the Manusina. She competed at the 2006 and 2014 Women’s Rugby World Cup.

In 2016 the former fly-half represented Samoa at the repechage tournament for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Her playing career concluded after the 2023 edition of WXV 2 in Cape Town, South Africa.

At last year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup in England, Milo served as defence coach for Samoa while six months pregnant as the team exited the competition at the group stage after matches with Australia, England and USA.

Bella Milo said: “It’s a privilege to give back to Manusina and help grow the game for our players.”

Milo will take on her position as Manusina head coach after she completes her 11 year stay at the very heart of rugby in Hong Kong.

Since 2015, Milo has worked for the Hong Kong Rugby Union as an assistant coach and has been Valley RFC’s general manager since 2022.

She will be the women’s national team’s lead coach at the upcoming Asia Rugby Emirates Women’s Championship.