Rugby

Rugby is probably the sport for which Samoa is best known, following it's emergence onto the World Cup rugby scene in 1991, when they beat Wales at the Cardiff Arms Park, and lost to Scotland at Murrayfield in the quarter finals. Samoan rugby players have been playing for New Zealand teams and the All Blacks for some time, but the 1991 Rugby World Cup was the first time the nation emerged as a force to be reckoned with in it's own right.

Their style of play is characterised by a fast-running, hard-tackling, free and open game, and the vigour with which they embrace the physical aspect of the game has earned Manu Samoa the grudging repsect of many sides. Samoan rugby players are now sought after by clubs around the world, but the majority of them still play in New Zealand. This has been the cause of what has been perceived as divided loyalties, since many are eligable to play for the All Blacks, arguably the best rugby team in the world. Those players that fail to be selected for the All Blacks will then make themselves available for selection for Manu Samoa.

Like the All Blacks, Manu Samoa throw down a ritual challenge, on the pitch, to their opponents prior to the kick off.

Le Manu Samoa e, ia manú le fai o le faiva
Le Manu Samoa e, ia manú le fai o le faiva
Le Manu Samoa lenei ua ou sau
Leai se isi Manu o le atulaulau
Ua ou sau nei ma le mea atoa
Ma lo'u malosi ua atoatoa
Ia e faatafa ma e sósó ese
Leaga o lenei Manu e uiga ese
Le Manu Samoa! Le Manu Samoa!
Le Manu Samoa e o mai i Samoa!
Hi!

Kirikiti (Cricket)

Samoan cricket bears only a passing resemblence to that played elsewhere. The similarity consists of the fact that there is a bat, with three sides which makes controlling the direction very hard, and ball. There are no limits in the number of players in a team, which are of mixed sex.

Kirikiti is played all year round usually between teams from different villages. If as you wander around the islands you come across a game in progress, ask the villagers playing, and you may be able to take part.