Samoa national rugby union team

The national rugby union team of Samoa is called Manu Samoa (the name of a famous Samoan chief some 10 generations ago). They perform a traditional Samoan dance called the siva tau before each game.

Related Topics:
Rugby union - Samoa - Siva tau

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They are members of the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance (PIRA) along with Fiji and Tonga.

Related Topics:
Fiji - Tonga

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Rugby union, as in the other Pacific Islands, is a way of life for Samoans with 12 provincial unions made up of around 120 clubs and boasting nearly 5,000 senior and twice as many junior players in a country with a population of just under 175,000 people.

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For such a small nation, Samoa has produced an amazing number of top-class players who have gone on to find fame in both rugby union and rugby league including Brian Lima, Freddie Tuilagi, Apollo Perelini, Pat Lam and Stephen Bachop.

Related Topics:
Rugby union - Rugby league - Brian Lima - Freddie Tuilagi - Apollo Perelini - Pat Lam - Stephen Bachop

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In fact, the huge numbers of players playing professionally abroad can work to Samoa's disadvantage when it comes to team training as it is difficult to get them all together as a squad. But Samoa still manage to remain competitive on the world-stage and are regarded as tough opponents.

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They have recently been bankrolled by millionaire Sir Michael Fay, one of New Zealand's wealthiest men.

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