Pacific Nations Cup | Samoa

Number of tournaments: 16 (2006-2023)
Best finish: Champions (2010, 2012, 2014, 2022)
Most points in a match: 53 (53-9 v Japan, June 2006)
Biggest win: 47 (50-3 v Tonga, June 2007)
Did You Know? Samoa were known as Western Samoa when they announced their arrival on the Rugby World Cup stage with a shock 16-13 win over Wales in 1991. ‘Thank goodness we weren’t playing the whole of Samoa’, Welsh supporters quipped at the time.

Current form

World Ranking: 13th
Form (last 5 games)*: WWLLL

Key team info

Kit colour: Blue and white
Nickname: Manu Samoa – “Manu” means someone who is held in high esteem, with a mythical Samoan warrior believed to be the inspiration behind the nickname.

Known for: Big hits and tattoos - and, of course, their pre-match cultural challenge, the Siva Tau, which was first used in 1991 to psyche up the players.

Head Coach: Mase Mahonri Schwalger
The former hooker couldn’t have asked for a better start to his reign as head coach with home wins against Italy and Japan since he replaced Seilala Mapusua post-RWC 2023. The former scrum coach played 40 times for Manu Samoa, captaining them on 13 occasions, and he also won two caps for the Pacific Islanders in a test career spanning 11 years and three Rugby World Cups (2003, 2007 and 2011).

Captain: Theo McFarland
Another who appreciates all that rugby has given to him. McFarland grew up playing rugby with a Pepsi bottle filled with old banana leaves as a makeshift ball and now he is captaining his country, despite only having 13 caps. His athleticism around the park and in the air comes from a basketball background.

Legend: Apollo Perelini
Born around the time of the moon landings, Perelini’s parents stuck to the age-old Samoan tradition of naming their offspring after a major world event. Other than Apollo, he was known as ‘The Terminator’ on the rugby field because of his fearsome physical approach to the game. One of the heroes of the ’91 win over Wales.

In brief

World Rugby’s new birthright ruling has opened up a plethora of talent as players of Samoan heritage are now eligible to play for the mother country even though they have been capped elsewhere, providing they have served the necessary stand down period. The likes of former All Blacks duo, Steven Luatua and Lima Sopoaga, and ex-Wallaby Christian Leali'ifano did not provide the immediate uptick that Samoa’s officials desired but they were competitive in every game at RWC 2023 and it won’t take a big leap forward for them to start beating higher-ranked teams.

Up to now, the names of ‘90s legends like Brian Lima, Frank Bunce, Pat Lam and Perelini, plus the Tuilagi clan as a whole, dominate conversations about Samoan rugby but the current crop will be desperate to start writing some history of their own and a Pacific Nations Cup title would be a good start.

Squad

Manu Tuilagi’s nephew Fred is in line to make his Samoa debut during the Pacific Nations Cup after he was included in the tournament squad by head coach Schwalger.

Number eight Fred Tuilagi, whose father Freddie represented Manu Samoa at Rugby World Cup 1995, is one of two uncapped players included, alongside sevens star Tuna Tuitama, who recently signed for Super Rugby side Moana Pasifika.

Forwards: Lolani Faleiva, Marco Fepuleai, Tietie Tuimauga, Kalolo Tuiloma, Aki Seiuli, Sama Malolo, Andrew Tuala, Luteru Tolai, Michael Curry, Sam Slade, Senio Toleafoa, Benjamin Petaia Nee-Nee, Theo McFarland, Murphy Taramai, Izaiha Moore-Aiono, Olajuwon Noa, Iakopo Mapu, Taleni Seu, Fred Tuilagi.

Backs: Melani Matavao, Jonathan Taumateine, Afa Moleli, Alai D’Angelo Leuila, Rodney Iona, Danny Toala, Stacey Ili, Alapati Leiua, Pisi Leilua, Owen Niue Fetu, Tomasi Alosio, Tuna Tuitama.

*Tests only