THE MAKING OF TOA SAMOA: PART 4 – A Heart that is inspired by Hope, Love and Trust can Overcome the Odds

APIA, SAMOA – 27 DECEMBER 2022: Toa Samoa’s unprecedented global success in the November 2022 Rugby League World Cup, speaks volumes of Rugby League Samoa’s 37 years existence.
The man at the helm, Tagaloa Asiata Fa’afouina Su’a has led Rugby League Samoa for 12 years and the sport has made huge inroads through the teams’ performance and a grassroots development programme backed by partnerships with NRL and sport’s international network. But it has not been an easy climb.
This is the fourth in series of six articles on Rugby League Samoa’s 30 year history in celebration of Toa Samoa‘s 2022 World Cup phenomenal success.

PART 4: A Heart that is inspired by Hope, Love and Trust can Overcome the Odds

BY Lance Polu

A staunch Catholic who came through the Marist St Joseph’s creed and teaching, Tagaloa is always guided by faith and prayer.

And he keeps the words said by the former Head of State during a down time for the team, as his inspiration. “A heart that is inspired by hope, love and trust can overcome the odds”.

The partner in the Su’a-Pauga and Associates Accounting Firm, he first played League in 1994 when he went to Lincoln University, New Zealand.

“Rugby Union wasn’t as strong at Uni and most of the Polynesian students played rugby league,” said the former Samoa League international.

“One player we played together was Ruben Thorne who captained the Crusaders and eventually the All Blacks.”

Tagaloa made it to the South Island Team and New Zealand University team in 1995.

When he returned to Samoa in 1996, league was at its peak under (the late) Mark Puckey and Galumalemana Fred Crichton was the Development Officer.

Tagaloa Faafouina Sua.

“I first played for Vaimoso Giants as there was no Marist Saints then. So I played with my mates Utulei Moananu, Tala Esera then Marist fielded a team and I was asked to come back but at least my mates understood.

“I’m a Marist old boy. So I captained the Marist Team in 1996, and we played Vaimoso in the grand final and won. Then came the Samoa Games in 1997. It was a Nines Tournament and we won the Gold medal. Our impact player was Lalovi Tafua who only came in when we are five meters to the line, scored a try and went off the field again.”

Tagaloa made the national Toa Residents Team in 1998 that played in Tonga for the King’s 80th birthday. The team was coached by Galumalemana Fred Crichton and captained by Arona Sini, brother of former Manu Samoa Fata Sini of Lalomanu.

Players were drawn from Vaimoso, Apia Baracudas and the Brothers Team from Vaiala and Moata’a. It was one of the best games ever but ended in a draw even though Samoa scored 5 tries to Tonga’s 4 tries but the kicking was the difference.

The two teams played a follow up game at Siumu and Tonga won. 1999, was a bad year. Under Coach Daryl Williams, the year ended without a win in all 3 tests.

“It was a winless year for the All Blacks under Captain Taine Randall which we used as an excuse,” joked Tagaloa.

Then Super League fell through and nothing much happened between 2000 and 2006. Samoa was preparing for the 2007 South Pacific Games and efforts were made to reignite the sport.

“We had this guy, Fritz who was so annoying always coming round and asking me to help out. I had just established my business and didn’t have much time.”

Then Lepale Niko Palamo stepped down as President of Rugby League Samoa and Peter Paul was elected as President.

Governance and Compliance
So with 2007 South Pacific Games, Tagaloa was mainly involved with the administration and setting up structures and governance ensuring compliance and reporting to the sponsors for the reinvigorated ruby league. He was given a title of Finance Governor.

Samoa won the Silver medal and started preparations for the 2008 World Cup.

Five local players were in Toa Samoa for repecharge to qualify for the World Cup. They were Ponifasio Vasa, Chris Lei Sam, Afa Lesa, Manulua from Moata’a and three players from Marist. The team went with President Peter Paul and Secretary Fritz Tuavii to the UK with John Ackland as Coach and Nigel Vagana as Captain and they managed to qualify for the 2008 World Cup.

Attending the Asia Pacific Rugby League Confederation AGM

Tagaloa was later appointed by the Rugby League Board to take the Fetu Samoa Women’s Team to the Festival of Women held at the same time as the men’s World Cup.

Toa Samoa ended its World Cup campaign at the pool games after beating Tonga and France but lost to Ireland.

“After the World Cup, we looked at ways to continue the momentum,” said Tagaloa.

In 2009, Papua New Guinea came after the Marist Sevens and riding on the back of that tournament with fit players; beat PNG even though this was their national sport. Samoa went on to beat a visiting Barla team.

But later that year, Samoa failed to qualify for the Pacific Cup after losing to the Cook Islands. PNG then qualified for the 2010 Four Nations after beating Cook Islands and Samoa missed out.

In 2010, Tagaloa had just been appointed President and a visiting Fiji Residents defeated Samoa at Apia Park.

But better things were to come in 2011 when Samoa coached by Ponifasio and managed by Unasa and assisted by Rudy Roebeck played Fiji in Suva.

“It was the first time a Samoan side had beaten Fiji on Fiji soil since 1992. Jewel Toloa and the Samoan students at USP sang the National anthem.”

Patron issues an ultimatum
But 2013 World Cup year in UK, presented major setbacks.

In the Pacific test, Samoa was thrashed by Tonga and Rugby League Samoa’s Patron issued an ultimatum to discontinue rugby league given the embarrassing loss.

“It was a challenge for us,” says Tagaloa.

“But I acknowledge His Highness the Head of State and his Masiofo who have been the inspiration and invaluable support behind the scenes. “A heart that is inspired by hope, love and trust can overcome odds” is a quote from him I always remember and recite for inspiration,” he says.

The former Head of State Tui Atua Tupua.

Later in 2013, Steve Price resigned after the main test and went back as Head Coach at Saint George Dragons.

“We contacted Matt Parish who agreed to be Coach and is the first coach that went through a proper interview process. He also agreed to take the existing management and administration team.”

But that was not without challenges as Roy Asotasi could not make it two days to departure for the World Cup after he was named captain.

Where Rugby League Samoa lies now
Chapters have been established overseas to look after the interests of Rugby League Samoa. Mathew Tuisamoa in Queensland, Nigel Vaganā and others in Australia, Geoff Brown in New Zealand, Lauaki Fred Tuilagi in the UK, George Meleisea in Hawaii and US and Alesana Tuilagi in France.

“We are working on our ranking and the teams’ performance and maintaining it as that’s what matters most to the people in Samoa and overseas,” says Tagaloa.

“Maintaining the systems and good reputation and being accountable to all our stake holders and everyone. Even though people may not give to rugby league directly, when the government helps out, that’s everyone’s contribution,” says Tagaloa.

“There comes a time, we would no longer be in these positions but at least we leave behind a legacy for others to continue the spirit and passion and keeping an open mind.

Because while we have differences, as soon as we make the call, we are on the same page and we move on and we don’t hold grudges against each other.”

EDITOR’s NOTE: This article has been adapted from the original published in the Souvenir Programme of the 30th Anniversary of Samoa Rugby League in 2016, with the first ever full Rugby League International test match to be played in Samoa against Fiji Bati at Apia Park, 8 October 2016.