RugbyRebels

Fiji's Irish coach weighs in:

Fiji coach John McKee wants global rugby administrators to force through a gate-sharing revenue model to help tier two nations like his thrive.

The Samoa Rugby Union's bankruptcy announcement last week rippled through the sport, and McKee advocates for change.

He believes host unions should pay visiting sides an appearance fee to ensure wider benefits from the sell-out crowds such as on Saturday, when 51,000 will pack Lansdowne Road to watch Ireland play Fiji.

"When you look at the regulations of the game, it's almost as though they were formulated back in the amateurism days, and I don't think they've really moved on into the professional era for the tier two nations," McKee says.

"The big countries, there's a lot of reciprocal rights, and a lot of money is generated through broadcasting rights. We don't have any broadcasting rights.

"I understand the unions up here have costs as well, and they get a lot of their income out of these gates.

"But there needs to be some move there somewhere, where the host pays the visiting team some sort of an appearance fee.

"The stadium's sold out here tomorrow, the Pacific teams are always a big draw card, and the northern unions like playing them because the Pacific Islands teams are so entertaining.

"People will always come and watch Fiji because they know they will see exciting rugby."

Ireland has a 3-0 record against Fiji, all in Dublin. Ireland has never played Fiji in Fiji.

http://sobserver.ws/en/18_11_2017/rugby ... ier-2s.htm

Another twist to the Samoan saga:

World Rugby has disputed claims by the Chairman of the Samoa Rugby Union (S.R.U.) and Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi that the Union is bankrupt.

It has done so in a strongly worded statement issued in response to barrage of verbal attacks from Prime Minister Tuilaepa last week.

“Recent statements made by the chairman of the S.R.U questioning World Rugby’s funding package are inaccurate,” the statement reads.

“While the S.R.U’s failure to implement some jointly agreed high-performance initiatives in 2017 is a concern to World Rugby, it has resulted in a small amount of conditional investment being withheld.”

On the issue of the Union being “insolvent” as Prime Minister Tuilaepa said, World Rugby rejected this outright.

“World Rugby can clarify that the union is not bankrupt and would also like to clarify the inaccurate statements made by the S.R.U. Chairman relating to the selection of the national men’s 15s team coach.”

http://sobserver.ws/en/21_11_2017/rugby ... -claim.htm

Wow, lucky break for Samoa! That's about US$1.7 million

Bluesky Samoa has come to the rescue of Samoan rugby once more.

Last night at the official of the launch of Invest Samoa and Bluesky sponsorship of Manu Samoa Sevens 2017-2020 at Hotel Tanoa Tusitala, the company announced a $5million deal.

The deal over four years is a combination of cash and services.

The announcement was made by Bluesky Country Manager, Alex Abraham, during the same event where coach Sir Gordon Tietjens revealed his squad (see story in sports).

“Bluesky is indeed honoured to be the Major Sponsor of the Manu Samoa Sevens Team from now until 2020,” he said.

“This is a reflection of our continued commitment and support to develop sports in Samoa.

“Bluesky has had a long and fruitful relationship with S.R.U. and the Manu Samoa Sevens teams over the years.

“Our relationship commenced in 2013 when Bluesky came on board for the first time. From that time onwards we have worked tirelessly with SRU to grow the sport. We further extended our support and not with limitation by being a part of the first ever All Blacks game in 2015 and thereafter the Blue vs Reds game this year.

“We did not stop at that and carried on with supporting the Manu Samoa 15s whenever they played on our own soil.”

Mr. Abraham also highlighted the importance of keeping the faith in our teams, despite the recent results.

“Samoa bleeds blue and this is in our blood, it is the most loved sport. Even though the sport has had some bad times recently, we believe it is time to step in and invest in our beloved sport and team,” he said.

“It's not just about the players that go for each tournament. This sports talks to the future rugby stars of this country and it should inspire them to reach their potential and someday be able to wear the Blue Jersey in the global stage.”

According to Bluesky, the agreement is until 2020 during which time they will cover four seasons of the H.S.B.C. World Series / The Common wealth Games and the Sevens World cup next year.

“We are confident that the current S.R.U. management and the Sevens team under the guidance of Sir Gordon Tietjens, will perform well,” he said.

“The contracting of players is another sign of good governance to protect our players. In saying that, let's get together and support our young warriors to reach greater results.”


http://sobserver.ws/en/22_11_2017/rugby ... m-deal.htm

Happy Days!


An online fundraiser by the Pacific Rugby Players Welfare (P.R.P.W.) for Manu Samoa players has raised more than £10,000 (T$34,500).

The amount was confirmed in an update from former Manu Samoa captain and the man driving P.R.P.W., Daniel Leo.

“I’d personally like to thank more than 300 of you have helped raise over £10K for Manu Samoa players and families,” he wrote.

“Despite the ongoing challenges faced by Pacific and Tier 2 rugby teams, this proves that the core rugby values are alive and well! The page will remain open until Sunday the 2nd December after which all funds will be distributed directly to players. Faafetai tele lava and God bless!”

Following the Samoan Rugby Union bankruptcy announcement, the Pacific Rugby Players Welfare rallied to raise £150,000 to support Manu Samoa players.

Pacific Rugby Players Welfare is an independent not-for-profit organisation that supports professional and semi-professional players of Pacific Island heritage in the UK and Europe – enabling their ongoing success both on and off the field.

“Every penny raised by this fundraising activity will go direct to the players and their families.

Please support players & families by donating here:

https://www.justgiving.com/cr…/pacific- ... rs-welfare

www.pacificrugbywelfare.com is a fully transparent not-for-profit organisation based in the U.K. All proceeds will go directly to the players.

http://sobserver.ws/en/01_12_2017/rugby ... layers.htm

It's not surprising Samoa and Tonga are pushing for more relaxed eligibility rules, similar to those which make international rugby league such a farce, given their limited domestic resources and heavy reliance on the NZ diaspora in particular. Samoa had the most foreign-born players at the 2015 World Cup (13, all NZ-born) followed by Tonga & Wales (12 apiece). Tonga only has a population of 100 K, of course, equivalent to Jersey or the Seychelles. Samoa has closer to 200 K but historically wasn't quite so obsessed with the game as its neighbours until the end of the amateur era (aka the 'shamateur' era). Indeed, they were the poor relations of the Pacific Triangle, & never even played a team from outside the Pacific Islands (& NZ Maori) until 1986, when Wales thumped them in Apia. Thus few eyebrows were raised when they were overlooked for the inaugural RWC. As recently as 1989, in fact, they toured Europe and were well-beaten by both Romania and the USSR. But the following year they qualified for the 2nd RWC, beating both Tonga & Japan in qualifying, then stunned hosts Wales at the tournament itself, as well as thumping Argentina and giving subsequent champs Australia about their toughest game. But they did so with a team that could have just about passed for New Zealand B. I think what we have seen with Samoa and Tonga in recent years is not so much a 'slump' as a reversion to type under tighter, more creditable eligibility laws.

Not a fan of knighthoods, people being given special titles, or citizens of ex-colonies receiving honours from British royalty at all, but if there is to be an honours list, this fellow certainly deserves his, given he broke the mould not only in terms of being the first Samoan All Blacks super star, but also by being the first non-white player to go to South Africa and make a big impression against the Springboks, which he did in 1970 as a teenager, scoring 14 tries in 13 games.

One of the newest Knights Companions of the New Zealand Order of Merit, former All Black Sir Bryan Williams, has admitted he thought about not accepting the honour.

https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/sport/r ... knighthood

Fuimaono-Sapolu's at it again

Youll find loads of ballers do it. Heaps in super rugby including some of your favourite All Blacks. One beer has close to the same fat content as a big mac. Cocaine has zero. Dudes want the high without the fat.

Full story here: http://sobserver.ws/en/03_01_2018/sport ... ono-Sapolu

A former Manu Samoa Sevens player, national Coach Sir Gordon Tietjens and four other Samoan players have been caught in the middle of a brewing controversy involving New Zealand Rugby.

According to an investigation carried out by The NZ Herald, Danny Kayes was among players the New Zealand Rugby Union was threatening to ban from next week's New Zealand national sevens tournament in Rotorua over his connections to Samoa.

The of Bay of Plenty born Kayes, who is a Civil Engineer by profession, objected and threatened to take legal action.

"I am about as BOP as they get — the fact that I have been denied to represent my province is a kick in the guts and it doesn't seem right," Kayes reportedly told New Zealand Rugby.

Kayes, whose mother is Samoan, played four tournaments for Samoa early last year but is not among their newly contracted 22 sevens players.

The 23-year-old pointed out to NZ Rugby he was born in Tauranga and had lived in Papamoa most of his life.

Story continues here: http://sobserver.ws/en/05_01_2018/rugby ... effort.htm

rowan wrote:Fuimaono-Sapolu's at it again

Youll find loads of ballers do it. Heaps in super rugby including some of your favourite All Blacks. One beer has close to the same fat content as a big mac. Cocaine has zero. Dudes want the high without the fat.

Full story here: http://sobserver.ws/en/03_01_2018/sport ... ono-Sapolu

Latest, including video interview: http://www.sobserver.ws/en/09_01_2018/l ... -claim.htm

rowan wrote:

rowan wrote:Fuimaono-Sapolu's at it again

Youll find loads of ballers do it. Heaps in super rugby including some of your favourite All Blacks. One beer has close to the same fat content as a big mac. Cocaine has zero. Dudes want the high without the fat.

Full story here: http://sobserver.ws/en/03_01_2018/sport ... ono-Sapolu

Latest, including video interview: http://www.sobserver.ws/en/09_01_2018/l ... -claim.htm

Thing is, he's talking crap. Beer has almost no fat (many beers have zero) and on average about 7 grams of carbs and maybe 1 of protein. Unless you're lazy (no professional rugby player should be, Lauaki pieman notwithstanding, and therefore) these carbs being converted to sugar and stored as fat ought not to be a problem either.

Problems with beer occur due to (1) over-indulgence (no professional rugby player etc ...) and (2) lack of exercise (no professional rugby player etc ... )

People do coke because it feels good.

Why they need it to feel good varies massively depending on personality, character, genetics, upbringing, circumstances, trauma, mental stability, etc.

Taking advice on substance abuse from a rugby player is about as sensible as taking advice on geopolitics from a Hollywood celebrity.

Agreed. Fuimaono-Sapolu is a smart guy but seems to revel in making outlandish comments that are guaranteed to hit the headlines - at least, in rugby terms. I suspect he only wants to elevate his own profile, for whatever reason.

China coming to Samoa's rescue:

The Samoa Rugby Union (S.R.U.) hosted the Chief Executive Officer of China Rugby Football Association (C.R.F.A.), Jack Lau and his delegation in Apia this week.

It follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two parties recently in Beijing.

Chairman of Samoa Rugby Union and Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Dr. Sa’ilele Malielegaoi said the announcement of the M.O.U. was delayed to coincide with the first official visit by the C.R.F.A. officials.

“The M.O.U. between S.R.U. and C.R.F.A. represents the continuous close relationship between China and Samoa.

“Amongst China’s immense contribution in Samoa includes assistance in our sports facilities and naturally this has extended our mutual partnership with close establishment of means to both explore and share resources and commercial opportunities through the sport of rugby.”

As part of the M.O.U., S.R.U. will aid through our Manu Samoa Sevens and XVs programme to promote the sport in China and also provide an environment for C.F.R.A. teams to visit and learn from local teams and competitions on island.

http://www.sobserver.ws/en/11_01_2018/l ... ctions.htm

Ambassador's comments: http://www.sobserver.ws/en/12_01_2018/l ... r-says.htm

This'll keep them happy. The tala is worth about one third of a US dollar:

Samoa Rugby Union has been given a $1 million sponsorship boost with the Grey Investment Group announcing their support.

The declaration was made by Prime Minister and chairman of the Samoa Rugby Union Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi and Marina Grey, mother of Lupesina Fred Grey, Director Aggie Grey Investment Ltd during a press conference at the Prime Minister’s office.

“Today the Grey Investment Group has invested in the S.R.U. similar to assistance provided by Digicel and Blue Sky and in return we should also provide good results,” said Tuilaepa.

He said exemplary results by the team will also promote the businesses who are investing in the S.R.U.

The G.I.G. was once chaired by Late La’auli Alan Grey, who has been affectionately called “father of Samoan rugby”, given his influence in the game in Samoa and the Pacific region.

“I want to thank the Late La’auli for his continued assistance. Many of our people are not aware the finances required to carry on one’s rugby team. I am not aware whether we have received our million tala assistance but that will do for now. However, more can come later,” added the PM.

http://www.sobserver.ws/en/01_07_2018/l ... -boost.htm

Obviously they've decided the man who got them to the World Cup isn't good enough to take them there . . .

The coaching position for the Manu Samoa XV is vacant. The Samoa Rugby Union has decided to advertise the position following a Board meeting.

This was confirmed in a statement issued today. It reads:

The immediate future of the Manu Samoa XVs programme was decided in a Samoa Rugby Union meeting of the Board.

The Board has decided to re-advertise the position of Manu Samoa Head Coach currently under the Leadership of Fuimaono Titimaea Tafua.

http://www.sobserver.ws/en/27_08_2018/r ... rtised.htm

World Rugby has urged Samoa Rugby Union (S.R.U.) to urgently find a suitable replacement for the Manu Samoa 15's head coach position and recruit high level technical advisors for the Rugby World Cup campaign.

This was revealed in a letter dated August 23, 2018 by World Rugby general manager of high performance, Peter Horne which was addressed to the S.R.U. C.E.O. Faleomavaega Vincent Fepulea’i.

The sport’s governing body has also offered to subsidise the recruitment of a head coach and technical advisers for the S.R.U. but under certain conditions, including the panel’s recommendations of the preferred candidate for the head coach to be endorsed and supported by the S.R.U.

World Rugby is also supportive of the move by the S.R.U. for a suitable replacement for the head coach, the letter indicated.

“I write with reference to our recent discussion on the above roles (head coach and general manager of H.P.U.) with your union’s H.P. programme."

“I understand that the recent annual review revealed that Zane Hilton is over-extended combining his general manager role with coaching support for the head coach, (Fuimaono) Titimaea Tafu, which is detrimentally effecting H.P. programmer operations.”

Repeated efforts to get comments from Fuimaono, including a visit to his residence have been unsuccessful as of press time.

“Further, the need for Zane to provide coaching support has come about due to the deficiencies in the elite coaching ability of the head coach,” the letter added.

http://www.sobserver.ws/en/30_08_2018/l ... s-hand.htm

Blues coach? That sounds promising

Fuimaono Titimaea Tafua will not take the Manu Samoa to the World Cup in Japan next year, despite coaching the team through the qualification rounds.

The Samoa Rugby Union is instead se to name former Auckland Blues Assistant, Steve Jackson, as the new coach.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Samoa Rugby Union, Faleomavaega Vincent Fepulea'i, has reportedly confirmed the appointment.

He is quoted by RNZI as saying that more than 40 people applied for the position from all over the world including South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

http://www.sobserver.ws/en/20_09_2018/r ... -coach.htm