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COOL STUFF: MANU SAMOA, INTRIGUE, PNC, SEVENS

It’s a tale of intrigue, resignations, participatory journalism, and love for the People of Samoa.

 

Intrigue: Since November (remember our All Blacks vs USA Eagle 15s coverage in Chicago), we knew (and were asked NOT to report) that meetings and agreements were being made for a Pacific Nations Cup double header in Honolulu on July 18. At that time it was supposed to be Japan vs Canada, and drum roll... Manu Samoa vs the USA Eagles. Wow, Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, direct flights on Hawaiian Airlines and Fiji Air for Samoans from Samoa and the Territory to pop in, stay for free with their families, raid Costco and the Apple Store. Why did we not report these developments?

 

Sometimes premature reporting can negatively impact negotiations... so we just let the situation play out... and play on it did.

 

Sources told Cool Stuff that Japan 15s head coach, Eddie Jones, determined that Aloha Stadium, loved by the NFL Pro Bowl players, was not up to standards for his players. Other sources said that Coach Jones may not have specifically appreciated the crowning of the field, which aids in water run off.  Sure sidelines are tight, but the pro turf field is the latest technology.

 

So uma pisupo, right?  Nope.

 

Cool Stuff held back on announcing from direct advice from respected former Manu Samoa CEO that Manu 15's would hold a Test vs Fiji July 18 in Honolulu at Aloha Stadium, then have a Test vs the USA Eagles July 28 in San Francisco.

 

Hawai’i would excitedly embrace both Fiji and Manu Samoa with huge welcomings, throw lots of cash to help the respective struggling unions, and the HTA industry visitors association was intending to step up to support it all.

 

Why did we hold back on this exciting secondary Manu Samoa breaking news? It was clear that Matamua Fred Amoa didn't know the Hawai’i organizers who controlled the only appropriate venue for that date.

 

Participatory Journalism: Not a textbook condoned approach... but if it helps a Nation... no harm no foul.

 

With all this great Manu Samoa stuff falling apart, Cool Stuff decided to try to help salvage Manu Samoa's Tests, and fundraising by contacting Kelly McGill and David Wendt in Honolulu, who we knew held July 17-18th lease on Aloha Stadium.  

 

Cool Stuff also met with Talavalu CEO, former Gov. Togiola, to determine if an exhibition pre-Test sevens game featuring Talavalu and somebody, would help provide exposure and fundraising for the Territory's own.

 

And, out of pure love for the People of Samoa, Wendt & McGill shifted into high gear to save the day. Fundraisers were planned out, activities and community gatherings planned... and then... a week after departing Apia, Cool Stuff got the word that the gentlemanly Matamua had resigned for "family concerns" ...and then today...

 

More drum rolls:

 

The USA Rugby officially announced that July 18th Japan vs Canada and Manu Samoa vs USA Eagles double header will be held at the new Avaya Stadium in San Jose, California. They followed with the formal announcement that on July 24 at the Cal Expo State Fair Grounds in Sacramento, California that another double header featuring Manu Samoa vs Fiji, then USA vs Canada will be held. 

 

Looks like we are now going to be staying with your San Jose, and Sacramento relatives.

 

Cool Stuff's take on this?

 

Manu Samoa will have an incredible acclimatization advantage in all their Tests.  Cool Stuff lived at the Cal Expo State Fairgrounds during the 1970 California Boys State leadership conference. Yes Cool Stuff was afforded an army cot in a huge exhibition hall, where our sleeping bags were unnecessary because Sacramento is the intersection of both the American and Sacremento Rivers. In June and July the humidity and heat will be off the charts, which means another normal ho-hum sweaty day for our beloved Manu Samoa. Could Canada, and the USA melt, fade in the distraction of uncomfortability? Will it benefit Fiji too? Will USA and Canada have a defacto home field advantage feel?  

 

Will someone in the SF Bay Area provide the support to help Samoa and Fiji as McGill and Wendt stepped up to provide? What about McGill and Wendt? The Hon. Prime Minister of Samoa invited them to a dinner last year at Sea Life Park's, Sielu's Chief's Luau. He called upon them to help Samoa's People and economy.

 

McGill and Wendt have answered the call above and beyond, and are probably losing Aloha Stadium deposit funds, hundreds of hours of time, and maybe a undeserved credibility hit. Maybe USA Rugby ought to arrange for McGill and Wendt look after Samoa and Fiji in the US Mainland... it would be the right thing to do.

 

The IRB/World Rugby appeared to be supportive of these Hawai’i rugby tests. It seems they were present at the negotiations to help authorize the Tests, but did not play a heavy hand in determining the final venue. They should be saluted for being even handed.

 

More insider rugby news: Expect your Samoa News Hong Kong 7s team to provide breaking news on the future of the USA 7s, Samoan's favorite Mainland reunion central. In Samoa we heard the USA Las Vegas 7s was ending. We went to the top guys and were told to wait for an IRB/World Rugby announcement in March.

 

Cool Stuff reckons that the USA 7s will continue their great success in Las Vegas or somewhere else... could it be the new San Jose Avaya Stadium? More intrique, but at least we remain confident that the USA 7s will happen in 2016.  

 

More, more insider news: Go North!  The worst kept secret in the rugby universe is that next year the Vancouver, Canada 7s will be added to the HSBC Series. Hmmm, how many relatives do we have in pricey Vancouver? Half of my Hong Kong pals have most of their relatives relocated to Vancouver. So could it be a Hong Kong 7s deja vu all over again a few weeks later?

 

Wellington 7s, Hawai’i mo' bettah?: Expensive Wellington visitor accommodations, attendance low... hmmm?  

 

Cool Stuff deeply believes, as shared in a Radio Samoa NZ interview this week, that an HSBC Series Hawai’i 7s would be an unbelievably fantastic fan and player event, especially if it is run by the experienced team of McGill and Wendt. Hawai’i weather is tropical, but pleasant. Rain is usually an occasional blessing, not a deluge like Hong Kong. Hawai’i has heaps of hotel rooms, things to do, and of course our relatives to hang out with.... oh, oh, I guess y’all are coming to my house, too. I will save you a tent to set up in my back yard.

 

Go Manu, go Wendt & McGill...