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InternationalSamoa

Seilala Mapusua appointed the new Samoa coach

By Online Editors
(Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)

Former midfielder Seilala Mapusua has been unveiled as the new head coach of Manu Samoa, the country the 40-year-old played for on 33 occasions and represented at two World Cup. 

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Having forged his reputation as an explosive running back at the Highlanders, Mapusua enjoyed a successful stint at London Irish before time was called on his Test career with a 2013 appearance versus South Africa. 

Eliminated at the recent World Cup in Japan with just a single win in four pool stage matches, Samoa had been on the lookout for a coaching successor to Steve Jackson, the Maori All Black recruited in 2018. 

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In a statement, Samoan RU CEO Faleomavaega Vincent Fepuleai claimed Mapusua had emerged as the preferred candidate following an extensive and vigorous recruitment process.

“On behalf of Samoa Rugby Union, I want to congratulate Mapusua on his appointment and we wish him well for this new phase in the Manu Samoa history,” he said.

“We are delighted with the appointment of Mapusua and we look forward to working closely with him and his new management to help improve our Manu Samoa results.

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“SRU will now begin work with Mapusua on building a solid team of technical and management staff around him as they prepare for the 2021 season, namely the Rugby World Cup 2023 qualifying matches for the Manu Samoa against our rivals Tonga in July/August 2021.”

Recommended by a five-person selection panel, Mapusua was endorsed and ratified by the Samoa rugby board at its meeting on Tuesday for a two-year period. 

Mapusua added: “I’m very honoured and humbled to be a member of the Manu Samoa again. I’m excited to return home and get to work in growing and developing Manu Samoa rugby starting from the grassroots.”

Brian Lima, another famed former Samoan international, has also been taken on by the Samoa RU, the 48-year-old appointed as the new coach of the sevens side.

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Ardy 5 hours ago
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The VAR was established based on a false premise that the decisions would be correct. All that has happened is another referee with their own biases comes to a different opinion. We need to accept that the referee with assistants are the final arbiters of the game and only use a video review in the case of tries. Installing this level of review shows up the complexity and difficulty of getting decisions accurate at all times. It is a waste of time and money in a game with more stoppages than most, it is very frustrating to those watching the game and that is what it was supposed to fix.

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JD Kiwi 6 hours ago
Why England should take Joe Marler’s advice and build for the future in the front row

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Tom 9 hours ago
A 2025 overseas British & Irish Lions XV

My first thought was “damn that's a good Lions backrow, Lawes, Willis, Simmonds” my second thought was “why the fk aren't any of these guys playing for England?!”

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Bull Shark 10 hours ago
A 2025 overseas British & Irish Lions XV

Ah. Hogg. The poster boy of the Lions. Who is he related to at RP?

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Tom 11 hours ago
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RW 12 hours ago
There's only one answer to the Springboks' fly-half conundrum

Improve the the chat, block Turlough

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DP 12 hours ago
Melvyn Jaminet handed huge suspension and fine by France

Now lets see what happens to the two French “alleged” rapists in Argentina…

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Rob 13 hours ago
Melvyn Jaminet handed huge suspension and fine by France

Good

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Bull Shark 14 hours ago
There's only one answer to the Springboks' fly-half conundrum

It’s all going to come down to kicking form. I suspect if Libbok shines up on his kicking in training he’d start with DW at 15 and SFM covering 23. Getting yanked if it’s a tight game. But it won’t be long until SFM is the incumbent 10.

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DG 16 hours ago
Why England should take Joe Marler’s advice and build for the future in the front row

I’m surprised that Craig Wright isn’t getting a mention. His performances, throughout the World Champs were consistently great and his stats must be up there. He very active in the open and appeared to do a great job in the scrum, but I’m no expert!

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RugbyAnalysis 16 hours ago
Why England should take Joe Marler’s advice and build for the future in the front row

Thanks Nella, a very interesting approach to the problems of front rows and the scrum in particular. I work as a data analyst for a club that is strongly based on a vertical style of play, and I have rediscovered the technical vitality of front row play and the radical importance of set pieces. The game is populated by hundreds of details that we do not perceive and that make the potential difference between winning and losing. In Argentina we call 'Mañas' these differential capacities that inhabit this type of player (´Tricks´ in English...?).

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Turlough 16 hours ago
There's only one answer to the Springboks' fly-half conundrum

I think SAs problem is one of arrogance. Their boasting and goading before the Irish series was a perfect example of it. Ebens blood covered face is a good reminder of where lack of humility gets you. Hopefully they can proceed with more honour and less arrogance from now on. Pollard kicked 100% versus Ireland and still lost. Change it now.

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MO 16 hours ago
South Africa stun New Zealand as men’s Olympic sevens semi-finals set

SA deserved the win, ABs were error prone and I believe a little complacent. I am assuming a Fiji vs France final, unless the Boks can destoy Dupont’s dream again.

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WR 16 hours ago
There's only one answer to the Springboks' fly-half conundrum

Tough one but I disagree. Putting Libbok in most matches will cost us. Especially against better teams. He just doesn't have what it takes. Aside from his kicking woes, he is a very good player. Pollard are the best option for tough games, but SFM is the best choice for me. He can do what both other players can do. He can play more positions than them. He is the best SA have now and will be for a very long time to come. We have an absolute super star like Kolbe, KLA and Moody in SFM. Time to get him in that 10 jersey and let him show case his absolute class. To let him grow and learn all he can from Tony Brown as we won't have TB for always. Most likely only until 2027. NZ will want him back. Time to cash in and go for broke. ML as an impact player might be a better option unless it's against a top 5 team, then best to have HP on the bench in case. That's not experience that can be chucked away. That would be stupid. We have WLR and DW at 15, HP and SFM at flyhalf. If anything, why not see how ML performs as a a scrum half? I know it's not his usual position, but he can be converted. You can't exchange what (in my personal opinion) is one of the best centre pairings currently in the world for ML or HP. That would be a disaster. No, we need HP at least on the bench playing top 5 in the WR.

35 Go to comments
W
WR 17 hours ago
South Africa stun New Zealand as men’s Olympic sevens semi-finals set

Well, on X they claim they beat SA by 2-1 and won the series against SA. Nevermind that it's 2 different competitions with completely different players, and a completely different country. AGAIN, they think that talking about it and claiming it, that they are the winners. That they DESERVE IT. Yet, as per usual, they CHOKED AGAIN in the quarterfinals. The Boks had 2 good games. That's it. The French is a different story altogether. They know how to reach a final. 2 games to go for either Gold or Bronze. Good news that, but coming in 4th don't get medals, so the Boks have to get in the final to be assured of a medal. It won't be easy. Only teams that CAN play is still in the competition, not teams that thinks talking themselves into a medal will get them a medal. Fiji is now the favorites would be my guess, but anyone can take it from here. Good luck Boks!! As usual you have my full support💯

23 Go to comments
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Mzilikazi 17 hours ago
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Thanks , Brett. It will be a very powerful Lions team, but the WB’s will be stronger too, would be my feeling. I don’t see it being all one way traffic.

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StephenE 17 hours ago
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Bull Shark 17 hours ago
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I see shifting from 7s to 15s as a pretty logical and good developmental step for good rugby players. But going 15s to 7s makes little sense for most. Which is why I agree AdP is a freak. Which is why France will win the gold and smash everyone as the rightful no.1 favourites!

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Bull Shark 17 hours ago
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Let the disparagement and abuse BEGIN! Pity Ireland can’t lose without (some fools) feeling sorry for themselves. Attitude determines your altitude.

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WR 17 hours ago
South Africa stun New Zealand as men’s Olympic sevens semi-finals set

My comment disappeared

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