'There are people coming together from all different parts of the world': Samoa coach Seilala Mapusua facing new challenge head-on
With players featuring in competitions around the globe, the Pacific Island sides always face the challenging task of trying to bring together a sizeable group of men to play in one unified group.
That will be the first hurdle of new Manu Samoa coach Seliala Mapusua as he tries to knock over Tonga and guarantee his team a place at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Mapusua named the first squad of his tenure on Friday but it’s been a long time coming. The former Highlanders and London Irish representative was appointed into the role almost eight months ago but Samoa weren’t able to play any matches last year due to the global pandemic.
Throughout that period, Mapusua admits he’s toyed with the idea of countless different selections, all culminating in the 32-man squad announced on Friday morning.
“It’s not very often you get to have a first-time experience at work eight months into the job so I’m really happy and it’s exciting times,” Mapusua told RugbyPass.
“I think I’ve probably [picked] close to twenty squads since I first got the role. You have a kind of idea of the make-up of the team and so many factors come into the decision making and it’s changed – but not dramatically, I think. There’s a lot of hope in there when selecting the first squad but I’m definitely confident in the boys we’ve selected and this is the best team that’s available to represent Samoa.”
The pandemic has played its part in some selections, with a number of Europe-based players unlikely to be available for Samoa’s opening two games of the mid-year calendar due to late-season finals and strict quarantine rules in New Zealand.
As such, Mapusua has omitted the likes of Bristol’s Chris Vui and Clermont’s Tim Nanai-Williams altogether
There are still plenty of familiar faces in the squad, however, such as Ah See Tuala, Jack Lam and TJ Ioane – who all played prominent roles last time Samoa took the field during the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.
Of course, there are some exciting new additions to the team too – including a handful of players who still reside in Samoa.
“We’ve a young lock/loosie, Theodore McFarland, he’s making some really good strides,” Mapusua said. “And a couple of the sevens boys, Joe Perez and Johnny Vaili, I think they’re excitement machines so they’re definitely a couple to look out for.
“And also some of the unknown boys that are probably a bit more familiar to New Zealand fans like [Hawke’s Bays’] Neria Fomai and Stacey Ili, when he comes over [from Australia]. There’ll be a few familiar names in there but there’ll be some new names that hopefully people will remember after this campaign.”
"It would have been great to play the #AllBlacks, it just didn’t align with what we were trying to achieve."
Now's your last chance to catch this exclusive interview with @ManuSamoa coach Seilala Mapusua free of charge ?https://t.co/hR4EgkoPSE
— The XV Rugby (@TheXV) May 23, 2021
And it’s passing on the news of their selection to those young players, especially those based in the islands, that Mapusua identifies as one of the highlights of his short tenure as Manu Samoa coach so far.
“This is one of the best parts of the job, letting boys know they’ve made the team,” he said. “They were a bit emotional and rightly so. These kids growing up in Samoa, this is their dream – to represent the country.
“They’re really excited and I think once the excitement kind of died down, they realised they had a big job ahead so it’s just been trying to encourage them just to be themselves and express themselves.
“This is a great learning experience as well, being on tour with the team. It feels weird saying that in New Zealand but just being in camp and trying to soak in everything – rubbing shoulders with seasoned professionals like Michael Alaalatoa and Jack and just trying to learn as much of them as possible.”
All in all, players who are based out of eight different countries around the world are represented in the 32-man squad.
While the majority call New Zealand, Australia or Samoa home, there are also players who have been selected based on their performances in competitions being played in England, Scotland, France, USA and Japan.
That poses a unique problem, with players having to come together and forge ahead with a unified playing style.
13 New Zealand-based players have been named in the latest Manu Samoa squad to face the Maori All Blacks and Tonga in June and July. #ManuSamoa https://t.co/GBwNqxe2Vl
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) May 27, 2021
Thankfully, the quick connections that players build off the field helps with the work that needs to be done on the pitch.
“It’s pretty unique, especially with the Pacific teams,” said Mapusua. “With Manu Samoa, people forget that there are people coming together from all different parts of the world and different environments and different teams.
“It’s awesome, it doesn’t take long for the boys to gel. They get on the bus and start singing and then that’s the team bonding done. They’re all connected, already, being Samoan. It’s awesome to see.
“At the end of the tour, when they part ways, you see the real brotherhood, they come in as strangers and leave as usos and that’s one of the things I enjoy seeing.”
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
The game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
21 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
12 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
12 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
5 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
25 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
5 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
37 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
37 Go to comments