Toa Samoa Coach bestowed the Mau a Pule chiefly title

Staff Reporters

SAVAII, 31 DECEMBER 2022: Toa Samoa’s visit to Savaii Island today where many of the players originate from, continue to be heaped honour and recognition given the team’s success in putting Samoa on the global map after making the finals in last months’ Rugby League World Cup in the UK.

Upon arrival on the Big Island this morning, the village of Fusi, Safotulafai, where Lauaki Fereti and the Tuilagi brothers come from, bestowed the honour on Toa Samoa Coach, Mathew Parish.

The chiefly title bestowed was Mau a Pule which is of great historic significance as it was the name of the independence movement started at Safotulafai by the famous orator Namulauulu Lauaki who was banished by the Germans to Saipan and died and buried in Betio, Kiribati, and was never to see his beloved Samoa.

Mau a Pule is closely associated with Samoa’s political independence and the national Mau Movement that developed on from the Mau a Pule, led to the assassination of Mau Leader Tupua Tamasese Lealofi 111 and ten others on what is now known in Samoan history as Black Saturday.

Mau a Pule Mathew Parish is a chiefly title – Suafa Ali’i and along the ceremony this morning, was the bestowment of the orators title – Suafa Tulafale – Oloipola on Kelma Tuilagi who would be tasked to be Mau a Pule Matt Parish’s talking chief and spokesman.

Also present in the ceremony was Lauaki Fereti Tuilagi – a double international having represented Samoa in both rugby union and league. Lauaki is Rugby League Samoa’s representative in the United Kingdom.

Also from Savaii Island is the Toa Samoa skipper Junior Paulo, Stephen Crichton who kicked the golden point to sweep past England in the semifinals. Stephen Crichton was born in Samoa but like a few of the current team members, migrated when they were very young.

The Homecoming is both a cultural and spiritual experience for many of the players, many of whom have made it to their country of heritage for the very first time.

The players are returning to Upolu Island this afternoon and will be hosted by the Sa’anapu Congregational Christian Church on Sunday before they depart on Monday for where they have current playing contracts overseas.