Samoa

RWC Rewind: 1999 World Cup

Rugby World Cup 1999 was the first RWC of the professional era. RWC 1995 saw the end of amateurism and with it RWC 1999 would see a change in the landscape of who different teams were prepared compared to that from 1987-1995 RWCs. The 1999 World Cup was also the …

Read More »

Samoa’s Scott Malolua ruled out of World Cup

Samoa’s Scott Malolua has been ruled out of playing at the World Cup. Having been named in the final roster for the tournament he will instead miss the tournament to injury. Malolua had been ruled out after having suffered a dislocated shoulder will playing against Australia on the weekend. Malolua …

Read More »

Foreign-Born / Raised Players at RWC 2019

20 teams will compete at RWC 2019 in Japan. Of them 17 have selected players from other countries. How then did they come to qualify for the country they are representing? The following article is aimed at explaining who they are and how they qualify. It is not an opinion …

Read More »

Samoa Announce World Cup Squad

Head Coach Steve Jackson has announced Samoa’s roster to compete at Rugby World Cup 2019. All but one player are contracted to professional teams outside of Samoa with the majority not having been raised in the country. Called-up are players from rugby’s elite leagues including the English Premiership, Pro 14, …

Read More »

Changes to Samoa training squad ahead of RWC

Manu Samoa coach Steve Jackson has made a number of changes to his training squad ahead of the Rugby World Cup. Six players who appeared in the Pacific Nations Cup have been dropped, with seven added including a pair of uncapped Super Rugby standouts. With 34 players named, three more …

Read More »

Kane Thompson signs NOLA extension

The NOLA Gold have captured another returning player on a long-term deal. Former Samoa lock Kane Thompson has extended his stay in the Big Easy with a new three-year deal that carries him through the 2022 Major League Rugby season. The 37-year-old is the 13-the confirmed re-signing for NOLA. It …

Read More »

Fiji edge Samoa in low-scoring contest

A below-par Fiji side came away 10-3 winners over a determined Samoa at ANZ National Stadium in Suva on Saturday. The final match of the Pacific Nations Cup was fiercely  contested but not quite the high-flying spectacle that had been anticipated as the home side ran out of gas in …

Read More »