New Manu Samoa caps hungry for a spot in the World Cup team

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA – 12 JULY 2023: The new caps in the Manu Samoa squad have shown hunger and determination to secure a spot in the World Cup 2023 team in France in September.

The team’s Head Coach, Vaovasamanaia Seilala Mapusua said the new players such as Miracle Faiilagi brings enthusiasm and excitement and it lifts the overall feeling of the team.

“They are hungry and they have a point to prove which will create a healthy competition,” said Vaovasamanaia.

But no-one’s place is guaranteed yet and the team for the World Cup will be picked after their test matches against Tonga at the Apia Park on 5 August 2023.

Challenge of putting together a team from different countries
As a former Manu Samoa player, Vaovasamanaia knows the challenges and pressures that come with putting a team together with players from around the world.

It is a challenge that has been there since Manu Samoa made the World Cup in 1991 with the lack of playing time together and lack of high quality matches to prepare for the tough Word Cup competition.

“Challenge remains the same as players are coming from all different parts of the world and levels of competition,” he said.

The players are from Europe, United States, New Zealand, Australia and Samoa so they bring different styles of competition and playing.

“I believe getting them to understand Manu Samoa and accepting what we are trying to do is the first challenge and when it’s accepted then the flow will be a lot easier,” said Vaovasamanaia.

Eligibility of players
Since the players’ eligibility rules have changed, former All Blacks and Wallabies have been named in the Pre World cup squad and Vaovasamanaia is happy with the depth of players to select from.

He said this has impacted positively on the Manu Samoa team in its selection of players such as former Wallaby Christian Leali’ifano and former All Blacks Steven Luatua.

He said such changes gives Samoa a chance to select players from a much higher level and can have better higher quality players.

He said having Luatua and Lealiifano on-board bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the team.

“We did not play many games and maybe only 7 test matches which is not a lot but having these players add a new breath of experience and being able to manage the game,” said Vaovasamanaia.

The significance of the fautasi rowing session
As part of its physical and mental training, Manu Samoa had a chance for a fautasi rowing session with Don Bosco skipper Vaimasenuu Zita Martel.

“It was a special day for us as it was the beginning of our campaign to the World Cup in France, but before we go, we need to learn how to become a team and the fautasi is a great way to do it,” he said.

He said it was one way for players to reconnect with the country and people and to understand who they represent and that wherever they go, they take Samoa with them.

“It was really a good day and I think it was quite shaky at the start but it was good,” he said,

Manu Samoa Pre – World Cup tests matches
The team will first play Japan on 22 July 2023 as part of the celebration of Japan and Samoa’s 50^th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Manu Samoa knows Japan is highly competitive as they lost to Japan as host of the 2015 World Cup after the biggest upset when Japan defeated the Springboks in injury time.

Manu Samoa will return to Samoa to face Fiji at Apia Park Stadium on 29 July and against Tonga on 05 August 2023.

The Coach said the Manu Samoa World Cup 2023 squad will be selected after the test with Tonga before leaving for France where they will have a final warm up match with Ireland on 26 August before the start of the World Cup on 08 September.