Samoa name high-profile coaching team for Barbarians clash

Samoa’s squad for their clash against the Barbarians for the Killik Cup at Twickenham on Saturday, 27 November will be selected from players based mainly in Europe, but also Australia, New Zealand, Japan and USA.

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In addition, a high-profile management squad has been confirmed.

The Barbarian’s game is the only match Samoa will play on an otherwise recently cancelled tour of Europe due to Covid-19 implications.

The trip north proved too difficult for some management and players with health and safety of everyone being prioritised especially upon returning home.

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An overseas-based coaching and management team has been selected, and head coach Vaovasamanaia Seilala Mapusua is confident with the selected coaching group.

“I am very pleased to be able to call the services of coaches that are plying their trade overseas and have an intimate knowledge of the Manu Samoa environment,” said Vaovasamanaia.

“The challenges that the pandemic has given us, have also created opportunity for me to grow our people in these key roles and to make sure that we are able to get our Manu Samoa on the field, as well as launch our new partnership with apparel sponsor Castore,” he added.

“Given the nature of the Barbarians, this should prove to be a highly entertaining game and a fantastic opportunity to round off the Autumn Internationals in style.”

The selected coaching team members are made up of former Manu Samoa stars.

The co-coaches are Lemalu Tusiata Pisi, currently coaching at the Toyota Shokki in Japan, and Census Johnston with Racing 92 in France.

The assistant coaches are Kane Thompson who coaches at NOLA Gold – USA (MLR), and Terry Fanolua who previously coached at Gloucester RFC.

The team manager is Niuafolau Faautu Talapusi, who has extensive experience with Lakapi Samoa and currently resides in London.

The Manu Samoa players selected for the match will be announced soon, along with the reveal of its new apparel sponsor, as tickets are selling fast with close to 45 000 already sold.