By Tupuola Terry Tavita  

Coach Stephen Betham and his young team have responded the best way they possibly can to their critics.

By winning.

In hoisting the Pacific Nations Cup in Tokyo in the weekend, the team’s fierce critics have suddenly gone very quiet. 

Three weeks ago when the squad was announced minus the big names from last year, the media and many Samoans from overseas were in an uproar.

The local reaction though was largely contemplative. Many – especially amongst the local rugby clubs – were very happy given the proportionally high number of local players selected. Twelve of them. A big turn around from last year when only one local player was selected to the World Cup squad.

Of particular interest though is how well the sevens players selected performed at this tournament. Forward Alafoti Faosiliva and exciting fullback Faatoina Autagavaia were absolute standouts.

Given that we do not have professional rugby franchises, the question then beggars, is this the way to go? Recruiting the Manu Samoa – especially key positions – straight from the sevens programme?

This column reckons it makes a lot of sense. Sevens rugby – now an Olympic sport – is evolving into a much faster and just as physical form of the game.

Sevens players train together for at least eight months of the year and are in top shape. Their skills are finessed and playing in front of tens of thousands of fans across the globe, they are accustomed to the pressure cauldron, as they call it in footy.

But perhaps the biggest plus in selecting these players is that, until recently, all of them were from the local rugby clubs. Eighteen months ago, Faatoina Autagavaia was passing a coconut for a rugby ball at his village of Vailoa, Palauli in Savai’i.

Given his super performance in Tokyo the last few weeks, he could very well land a six-figure contract anywhere from Australasia to Japan to Europe where rugby is played professionally.

And that is what it all comes down to. Creating economic opportunities for our talented young people to help their families and their communities.

How many Faatoina Autagavaias are out there?

Share This

About the author

Adolf

Related Posts

Bristol sign Samoa international Alafoti Faosiliva‎

(BBC Sports) - Bristol have signed Samoa international Alafoti Faosiliva. The 26-year-old, who can play at flanker or number eight, has 10 caps for his country and has previously played club rugby for Toulon. "I've...

Faosiliva off to France, Otto to Bristol

By Tupuola Terry Tavita Two of Samoa’s key sevens players are off to play professional rugby in Europe. Veteran forward Alafoti Faosiliva (pictured) has been tied to cashed-up French club Toulon while utility back...