In a battle between South Pacific Islands that are passionate about Rugby the 2010 IRB Pacific Rugby Cup will reside in Fiji. A pair of Samoan squads had a chance to do something about that for the home islands, but couldn’t topple a pair of tough Fijian squads to gain enough points in the final matches to overcome their Fijian rivals. The Fiji Warriors and Fiji barbarians will now meet for the title, while Tautahi Gold and Upolu Samoa will stay home for the final. Heading into the final days of competition the Fiji Warriors, last year’s Pacific Rugby Cup champions, had already booked a...
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Coming into this weekend’s London Sevens Cup competition Manu Samoa knew it was a crucial weekend. Samoa held a slim three point lead in the World championship standing with just two events remaining, but perennial champion New Zealand was close on their heels. Manu Samoa didn’t get another cup title like it had in its previous three competitions in Hong Kong, Adelaide, and Las Vegas, but it was still a positive weekend. Samoa was able to know off New Zealand in the quarterfinals to gain some much needed breathing room heading into the final leg in Scotland. Even though Samoa was defeated...
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Samoa’s Rugby Sevens team has been on quite a run of late after winning competitions in Las Vegas, Adelaide, and Hong Kong. That has been enough to give them a three point lead in the International Rugby Board Sevens Series over New Zealand, but there is still plenty of rugby to be played. Samoa opens the London Sevens Series Saturday against the United States, and with only one competition remaining after London Samoa can take a major step forward in winning the whole thing. Samoa’s dynamic duo of Uale Mai and Lolo Lui have been dominant throughout the series, helping Samoa to the top of...
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Shannon Stowers was not a superstar on the gridiron, but he is currently looking for superstars. Stowers is a former Polynesian American football player who spent two years playing the game at Utah State University. Now that his playing career is over short of the NFL he is hoping to help other Polynesian football players achieve their dreams. Stowers is now a scout trying to find the biggest and best Polynesian rugby players. His job is a tricky one. He must convince them to switch over and try their hand at American football instead of rugby. The opportunities are clearly there as well. The...
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CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO THE RIGHT FOR ENHANCED VERSION The Manu Samoa 7s team was farewelled in fine style by its naming rights sponsor SIFA this week. The team heading to Australia and Hong Kong lying second on the World rankings behind New Zealand is on track to vie for top honours yet again. In a light-hearted presentation, the Minister for Finance, Niko Lee Hang reminded the team and guests about a similar send-off in 2007. “I was given the privilege to address the Fuimaono coached 2007 team. And I’m very proud of that occasion since the team went on to record a famous win in...
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CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO THE RIGHT FOR ENHANCED VERSION Because rugby players don’t wear pads, there is a perception they are tougher than their American football counterparts. But U.S. Sevens rugby player Leonard Peters begs to differ, and he should know: He played college football for Hawaii and in the NFL for the New York Jets and Chicago Bears. “It’s much more physical playing football,” he said. “In (rugby) sevens, you try to break arm tackles, but in football, you’re smashing faces on every play. “They’re both physical sports. I...
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NZPA - Ambitious Newcastle officials have made an inquiry about the possibility of luring Sonny Bill Williams back to the NRL. In a bold move aimed at ensuring their season does not end in disaster following the departures of forwards Chris Houston and Danny Wicks after the pair were charged with drug trafficking, the Knights have contacted the NRL to ask whether they can sign Williams. The 24-year-old former Bulldogs superstar is now considering an approach from the All Blacks, who have suggested he ensure his availability for next year’s Rugby World Cup in New Zealand by moving...
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In a new column here at SamoaSportsCentral.com, “Su’a Speaks” Sports Psychology Consultant Justin Su’a offers his insight on the recent victory in Las Vegas, NV for the Manu Samoa rugby team at the USA 7′s tournament. “Su’a Speaks” will be a regular SSCentral Column showcasing insights/comments from Justin Su’a on the state of sports, the psychological implications involved in the various current samoa sports events etc… TUNE IN!!!! “Su’a Speaks” on Manu Samoa victory CLICK HERE to go to Su’a Sports...
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An understrength New Zealand couldn’t contain a rampant Samoa, who claimed the Las Vegas title of the IRB Sevens World Series with a dominant 33-12 win in the final on Sunday. Struggling with the absence of three key players, the New Zealanders couldn’t fight off their Samoan hex this season, having lost all three games against them including last weekend’s semi-final in Wellington. Victorious in the first two tournaments of the year in Dubai and South Africa, New Zealand still hold a handy lead at the halfway point of the series on 84 points, with Samoa clambering to second...
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Robin Heymann in Las Vegas The top four ranked teams on the IRB Sevens World Series all won their groups on day one of the USA Sevens from Las Vegas. Fiji, Samoa, New Zealand and England all went unbeaten to qualify for the Cup quarter-finals. They will be joined by South Africa, Kenya, Wales, and Australia’s in tomorrow’s main draw knockouts. Japan also impressed on their first IRB outing of the season beating defending champions Argentina the biggest upset of the day. Guyana also enjoyed their first IRB outing drawing 12-12 with core side, France. Fiji hold improved Boks Wellington...
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