Message from Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, Lakapi Samoa Chairman

It is with great pleasure to welcome the Fijians and the Tongan Teams and Management to Samoa and also to our own Manu Samoa Team.

2023 is the most important year in the international rugby cycle with the upcoming World Rugby’s premier event, the Rugby World Cup. These twointernational fixtures are very much anticipated in view of the im- portance to our three Nations’ preparations and finalizing selectionsquad to France.

The Game of Rugby has given our Pacific Nations international recogni- tion and our contribution on the world stage is second to none. Samoan, Tongan and Fijian players continue to be sought after around the world for our sheer physicality, power and natural pacific flare which adds excitement to any Team playing the Game.

Come Saturday, there will be no inch given and it will be business as usual between our three proud rugby nations. The very things that will make us fierce rivals on the field are the very things that also make us friends and endear us to the World.

To our Manu Samoa Team, our whole Country is behind you, I trust that the hunger and the will to succeed for the blue jersey is there and hope that you will instill the pride in the Manu Samoa in front of all the fans this weekend and at Rugby World Cup.

Lastly, I wish to congratulate and thank the Government and World Rugby for their support in assisting Lakapi Samoa hosts these fixtures and what promises to be an incredibly exciting two weeks of test matches ahead. A special thank you to all the family of sponsors who have contributed financially and in kind to Lakapi Samoa to assist hosts our visitors.

Soifua ma ia manuia.

Hon. Tuilaepa Sailele L. Malielegaoi
Chairman, Lakapi Samoa