The Samoa Rugby Union wishes to clarify the comment regarding the selection of Eliota Sapolu as based on a misunderstanding of the status of his suspended sentence arising out of his Appeal Committee hearing decision in November 26, 2011.

Yesterday, SRU sought clarification from the IRB on the status of the player’s suspended sentence and the Union was advised that the player is eligible to play rugby.

The Manu Samoa Head Coach Stephen Betham and Coaching Staff have been advised accordingly.

The Union would like to add that at no stage has the iRB issued a directive, written or otherwise, to the SRU relating the selection or non-selection of a player.

Samoa Rugby Union’s pivotal role to underpin coaching, refereeing, and manager’s role in Samoa continues with its development team in Savaii this week.
Samoa Rugby Union Development Director, Lilomaiava Taufusi Salesa leads his development team, of, Papalii Tulouna Avia and Fepuleai Selefuti Patu, with the aim to educate and share their knowledge to potential or future Coach, Referee and Manager in rugby.

“It’s part of our ongoing development program, and we have a few requests from Provincial Union seeking assistance in these particular courses. “ “We will be delivering all aspects on basics of becoming a rugby coach, a referee, and a manager” “These workshops are all sanctioned by IRB”
Lilomaiava added the beauty of the program by SRU, for Managers, is that once participants possess the knowledge and skills from these workshops, they can be applied to other sports. “So it is not just rugby, we also nurse management skills for other sports.”   

Lilomaiava says the continuation from their previous visits is in good timing with the Samoa Rugby Union, National Provincial Championships in July this year.
The team visits, Faasaleleaga, Itu o Tane and Itu o Asau, with a plan for Upolu already in place.

The equation is not simple for Manusina. They need to rule the FORU Women’s Regional Rugby Qualifiers in August this year, then feed into the Asian qualifiers in order to get a one out of three tickets to the Rugby World Cup 2013 in Russia. A tough and somewhat skewed pathway to get into the sixteen team draw of the RWC.

Amongst several series of local competitions and overseas tournaments, as lead up to the 7’s  RWC is the inception of Women’s Rugby Program into the SRU-HPU License Training Centre that has successfully unleashed the potential in Samoan Rugby in the international front.

Last week, Oceania Regional Women’s Development Officer, Elenoa Konetuma embarked on a mission to the Oceania Region Rugby Unions, to assess the development of women’s rugby focusing on their progress, structures, and budget.

It’s not the first time visit for Ms Konetuma to Samoa. Four years ago she came not as an IRB representative but to participate in the World Cup Qualifier 2008 that saw Australia and New Zealand into the 2009 RWC as first and second in the world of women’s sevens.

“From that time I was here, there’s a big difference I have seen in Samoa Women’s Rugby” “Compared 2008 to now, I have seen the changes, women’s rugby is now well structured, last time Samoa did not have anything in place.” “I just hope from that time in 2008 gearing up to Rio, will be much more changes” says Konetuma.

Like every sport, achieving a gold medal in the Olympics is the paramount dream. Realistically Women’s Rugby is going to the Olympics. Win or lose, the Women’s Rugby Union and the Samoa Rugby Union already have their eye on the bigger picture.

“I am quite impressed with the facility at Tuanaimato. The women’s LTC program particularly is one of its kind, we don’t have that program back home, and I am sure Fiji is going to follow the que from Samoa.”

Upon returning back home, Konetuma has something to share to boost the development of women’s rugby in Samoa. “They need to have a development officer, I strongly recommend a development officer for women, and also from a coach point of view, and pacific women needs more practical on the field than theory. Practical comes first then theory.”

Financial support is not new, says Konetuma, it’s every Union’s main concern, “and that’s why I am on this trip, its part of my job to see to it.”

President of the Samoa Women’s Rugby Union, Toleafoa Ulugia Mara Hunter says “Having Elenoa here as a neutral fresh pair of eyes is refreshing. Her comments both positive and not-so-positive give opportunity for change and improvement. We are pleased to have her wealth of experience available to Samoa Women’s Development and the SRU.”