Latest news with #LakapiSamoa
RNZ News
2 days ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
Samoa and Tonga set to clash in Pacific Nations Cup opener
Manu Samoa training at Te'ufaiva Stadium in Nuku'alofa on Tuesday. 18 August 2025 Photo: Facebook / Lakapi Samoa Saturday's Pacific Nations Cup series opener between Samoa and Tonga will set the tone for both teams as they chase qualification for the 2027 Rugby World Cup (RWC). Both teams will be eager to start their campaign with a win, as three RWC spots are available for for four contenders: Samoa, Tonga, Canada and United States. Both sides are missing key players due to club commitments. Manu Samoa jetted into Tonga on Monday and held their first training run in Nuku'alofa on Tuesday. A large crowd turned up to welcome them. Manu Samoa fans in Tonga greet the team as they arrived at Fua'amotu airport on Monday. Photo: Facebook / Lakapi Samoa The Samoans have been forced to go without several players who featured against Scotland in July, including prop Kaynan Siteine-Tua, back-row Jonah Mau'u, fly-half Jacob Umaga, midfielder Duncan Paia'aua, and full-back Latrell Smiler-Ah Kiong. Head coach Lemalu Tusi Pisi said they have to work with what they have, but the is confident with the support they have received. "Like the cherished 'ie toga , our PNC campaign weaves together the individual threads of Manu Samoa," the former Manu Samoa rep said. "Each unique strand - every player, supporter, and voice - strengthens the whole. Many threads, one purpose, United we stand." Lakapi Samoa recognises the importance of the PNC series, with their sights set on making it to Australia in 2027. "The Pacific Nations Cup carries extra significance this year as it serves as our pathway to qualify for the Rugby World Cup 2027," Lakapi Samoa chief executive Seumanu Douglas Ngau Chun said. "This is more than a tournament; it is our chance to secure Samoa's place on rugby's biggest stage. United we stand, ready to give our all for our jersey, our families, and our nation." The Samoans will be led by flanker Theodore MacFarland. 'Ikale Tahi Tonga players as they prepare to battle Manu Samoa in Nuku'alofa on Saturday. Photo: Tonga Rugby Photo: Facebook / Tonga Rugby Union Inconsistency has been a major problem for the 'Ikale Tahi. That fact is not lost on head coach Tevita Tuifua, who, along with his assistant Nili Latu, is also missing several key players as well. Their only warm-up was against the the Reds last weekend. They remain the only top Pacific Island teams never to progress beyond the pool stage of a World Cup, although they have been involved in every tournament since the first one back in 1987. World Rugby's change in eligibility rules allowed full-back Charles Piutau to switch national allegiances to the country of his birth after playing 17 times for New Zealand between 2013 and 2015. He played his first test in the red of Tonga in 2022, and was part of their Rugby World Cup 2023 squad. Veteran halfback Sonatane Takalua has come out of retirement to answer his country's call. Takalua announced his retirement after Tonga failed to make it into the quarterfinal at the last world cup in 2023. Tuifua said he was grateful that players like Takalua, Piutau and Ben Tameifuna have put their hands up to lead the campaign again this time around. Tuifua said he wanted to get some other players, but they are tied up with National Provincial Championship (NPC) competition in New Zealand and club commitments in Europe. One of those is former All Black Ngani Laumape, who had indicated to Latu and Tuifua his interest to play for Tonga. But he is currently tied up with NPC commitments, along with fullback William Havili. 'Ikale Tahi Tonga players as they prepare to battle Manu Samoa in Nuku'alofa on Saturday. Photo: Facebook / Tonga Rugby Union "But we have players who are dedicated to getting Tonga into the world cup," he said. "Saturday is going to be a tough one but we are going to give it our best shot." Tuifua said their focus is going to be on Saturday, taking one game at a time. Tonga will meet Fiji on 30 August in Suva, while Samoa will host Fiji in Rotorua on 6 September. Following that, the three teams will then travel to Canada and America for the semifinals and final. Fiji and Japan have already qualified for the 2027 RWC, which means the other four teams will be vying to secure the three spots available.
ABC News
4 days ago
- Sport
- ABC News
Lakapi Samoa CEO calls for World Rugby to show his union greater respect
While the future of Tonga's national rugby sevens teams is still hanging in the balance, Lakapi Samoa have no plans to wind up their sevens programme. But just like the TRU, the Samoan union are still in the dark about precisely how the latest version of the World Rugby 7s series will play out. In the end, Chief Executive, Douglas Ngau Chun, is of the opinion that the new set up will provide a decent pathway for Samoa's men to follow back to the elite group, after their relegation in 2024. But it's also very clear that the CEO thinks his union deserves to be treated with more respect by the officials at World Rugby HQ.
RNZ News
09-07-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Manusina player asks for financial help for Rugby World Cup
Manusima Samoa players celebrate following the WXV 3 2024 match between Samoa v Madagascar at The Sevens 2 Stadium on October 11, 2024 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, as they qualify for the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup. Photo: Christopher Pike - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images Photo: Christopher Pike - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images Manusina player Sinead Ryder has taken to Givealittle to try and raise funding for the women's Rugby World Cup. "Funding for teams like Manusina is scarce and financially has been weighing heavy on our minds," Ryder wrote on social media. "The donation will be used to help me attend our events/games held in Samoa, Fiji and England for two months." Last October, Samoa qualified for the Women's Rugby World Cup for the first time since 2014. Soon after, captain Masuisuimatama'ali'i Tauasa-Pauaraisa spoke to RNZ Pacific about the difficult journey amid Lakapi Samoa's financial woes. "We know of the financial struggles Lakapi Samoa is going through, and for us to put Samoa back up on the world map is a massive achievement. Manusina Samoa skipper, Masuisuimatama'ali'i Tauasa-Pauaraisa was also honoured with the Pasiifka Hall of Fame Female Player of the Year for 2024. 10 April 2025 Photo: RNZ / Nick Monro "We have achieved a lot being under-resourced." Pauaraisa said they were paid as little as NZ$130-$300 for an entire tournament, with gear arriving late, if at all. At the time, Lakapi Samoa chief executive Faleomavaega Vincent Fepuleai said the union had not recovered post-Covid and was continually playing catch-up. "Measures made to alleviate or stop the debt included cancelling the Manu Samoa Northern Hemisphere tour, the first time in 20-plus years this has happened, in order to repay outstanding debt without haemorrhaging more funds," he said. "Commercial deals that have not returned yields, lack of sponsors and funding into the union has contributed." He said Lakapi Samoa's main source of funding is World Rugby, which helps to fund travel to competitions and associated costs such as camps and flights. But this money does not cover allowances or team apparel. A corporate dinner at Ōtāhuhu Rugby Football Club in Auckland is planned on 19 July for fundraising for the World Cup. Ryder said her ultimate goal was to represent New Zealand in teams like the Hurricanes Poua and Black Ferns, but it was a goal that was "impossible to achieve despite the commitment, energy and determination I invested". "But as the saying goes 'when the door is closed shut, find a window. My window was Nina Foaese with Manusina." Foaese introduced Ryder to the Manusina team in 2023. "This team has brought me so much closer to my Samoan heritage I feared I was losing." The Wallaroos will play Manusina in the opening match of the Rugby World Cup in Manchester, England, on 23 August.
RNZ News
30-04-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Manu Samoa to have 'home' rugby test against Fiji in Rotorua
Samoa fans during the 2011 Rugby World Cup pool D match against Namibia at Rotorua International Stadium, 14 September 2011. Photo: P Rotorua Stadium will act as be Manu Samoa's home ground when they play Fiji in a rugby test match in September. With Samoa's Apia Stadium about to undergo a major upgrade, its national rugby team has adopted Rotorua as its home ground for the test on 6 September. The September test will be important for both sides, as they prepare for matches in the northern hemisphere later in the year and continue their buildups to the Rugby World Cup in 2027. Fiji have matches lined up against England and France in November, while Samoa so far have a test lined up against Italy on 23 November. "We are delighted to bring another Samoa home test match to New Zealand and specifically to Rotorua, a rugby heartland," Lakapi Samoa chief executive Seumanu Douglas Ngau Chun said in a statement. "While we continue to improve the Apia Stadium facilities in Samoa, we know we will receive support from the Pacific community in New Zealand." Fiji Rugby chief executive Roverto Nayacalevu looked forward to a thrilling encounter. "Matches like these aren't just about rugby, they're about pride, heritage and the enduring bond between Pacific nations. Both teams carry the hopes of their people, and we know they'll deliver a contest worthy of their traditions." Rotorua's stadium has hosted a number of international matches over the years, with Bay of Plenty hosting touring teams such as the British and Irish Lions, while it has been a regular home ground for the Māori All Blacks. The All Blacks played their only match in Rotorua at the International Stadium in 1973 when they beat New Zealand Māori 18-8 in 1973.
NZ Herald
30-04-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Rugby: Rotorua to host Samoa v Fiji test match in September
'We're proud to bring the passion and spirit of Pacific rugby to our stadium, offering fans the opportunity to witness an epic game and experience everything Rotorua has to offer.' As both Samoa and Fiji ramped up preparations for upcoming global competitions, this test match would be a key part of their campaigns. Their long-standing rivalry promised an unforgettable showdown full of flair, physicality and fierce national pride, RotoruaNZ said. Lakapi Samoa chief executive Seumanu Douglas Ngau Chun said: 'We are delighted to bring another Samoa home test match to New Zealand and specifically to Rotorua, a rugby heartland, while we continue to improve the Apia Stadium facilities in Samoa. 'We know we will receive support from the Pacific community in New Zealand. 'Thank you to RotoruaNZ for their support to bring this international game to their region.' Fiji Rugby chief executive Roverto Nayacalevu said they were looking forward to an epic clash in what would no doubt be a thrilling encounter. 'Matches like these aren't just about rugby, they're about pride, heritage and the enduring bond between Pacific nations. 'Both teams carry the hopes of their people, and we know they'll deliver a contest worthy of their traditions. 'We wish both sides the very best. May the spirit of the Pacific shine through on and off the field.' The match will be on Saturday, September 6 at the Rotorua International Stadium. Ticket presales will begin at 10am tomorrow.
