Ads by Google Ads by Google

Samoa a first IRB PRC defeat, selects new CEO

Apia, Samoa — Samoa A faced its first defeat of this year’s IRB PRC tournament since its kick off late February, against Chiefs Development XV at Growers Stadium in Pukekohe on Saturday,  17 — 62, in full time score.

The loss means Samoa A and Fiji Warriors are up and close in the IRB Pacific Rugby Cup 2012 title race after the first set of matches in the New Zealand series of the tournament. Both teams have three wins, after Samoa A’s hat trick victory in Australia, and Fiji Warriors winning two in Australia and one in New Zealand.

Head Coach Fepuleai Selefuti Patu, says despite the loss, he has to introduce other players. “We lost, but in the long run everyone benefits, they had the chance to expose and the chance to play against some Super Rugby Teams.”

Fepuleai added, the boys left Australia in high notes, “but they also must learned from the hard way, and to familiarize themselves with it.”

He said, “We are working on improving all our set pieces, there were lot of loose balls, and the Chiefs beat us in the breakdown area,”

Samoa A- 1. Lolesio Lavea, 2. Ofisa Smith, 3. Heroshi Tea, 4. Afioae Maiava, 5. Maselino Paulino, 6. Suamalie Tuiletufuga, 7. Iosefa Timu Sa, 8. Misioka Timoteo (C) 9. Faatalatala Fagasoaia, 10. Patrick Faapale, 11. Soa Manuele 12. Meki Magele, 13. Fale Sooialo, 14. Titi Jr Esau, 15. Tupu Ulufale.

Reserves: - Aifala Taelega, Tuliloa Malaga, Emele Faanene, Oneone Faafou, Teofilo Lepou, Vailoa Kereti, Tafaipaia Sila.

Tries:                     Maselino Paulino    1

                             Meki Magele          1

Conversions:       Titi Jr Esau                2

Penalties:            1

Blues Development XV play Fiji Warriors on 13 March in the next round of the New Zealand series. Tonga A face Crusader Knights and Highlanders Development XV host Samoa A, both on 15 March.

NEW SRU CEO AND JERSEY NAMING RIGHTS SPONSOR

In other news, the Samoa Rugby Union is pleased to announce that after conducting interviews for a Chief Executive Officer, it has appointed Fred Amoa to be its Chief Executive Officer.

Amoa was selected out of a group of 8 very high caliber applicants who vied for the SRU’s CEO Post.

He is a lawyer by occupation and had worked for the Attorney General’s Office in Samoa before he took up a legal post with the Forum Fisheries Organization in the Solomon Islands.

In a first for the Samoa Rugby Union, it has also finalized the Jersey Naming Rights Sponsor particulars for the Manu Samoa 7’s and Manusina 7’s for the next 4 year cycle, which includes the 7’s Rugby World Cup to be held in Russia in 2013 and the Rio de Janeiro Olympics 2016.

The naming right for the Manu Samoa 15’s, and Manusina 15’s and services will be put out for Public bidding soon.

(Source: Samoa Rugby Union media releases)