By Staff Writer
Shared historic triumphs in rugby league and union in Samoa sparked major celebrations all around the country in recent weeks.
The Toa-o-Samoa challenge for the Rugby League World Cup was the first ever by a second tier playing nation at the sports showpiece event
This was after the team left the rugby league world in a Cinderella tailspin by grounding England into the dust, to set up the cup decider against Australia’s Kangaroos.
Back home in Samoa the streets of Apia came under a tsunami of frenzied chants ‘O Ai Le Toa’.
Cars were fluttering flags everywhere in waves of blaring car horns – the louder the better.
Toa-o-Samoa did not have the points on the score board to bring home the cup, but it did not stop the celebrations.
Then just last week the Manu Samoa 7s won the South Africa leg of the rugby union international series, arguably the toughest leg in the whole international series.
Turning the Springboks onto its head before its rugby-mad home fans is a rare feat, only the likes of the famous All Blacks have done so.
Coach Muliagatele Brian Lima and his Manu Samoa boys added Samoa into a very exclusive list of winners on South African rugby soil.
Backgrounding this extraordinary sporting success for the two rugby codes is the leadership presence of former Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi.
He is the current Chairman of Lakapi Samoa and patron of Samoa Rugby league.
“Credit to all this success is first and foremost to the players, coaching staff and management of both teams,” Tuilaepa reacted about his winning leadership streak.
“The secret to achievements at this level is mainly in good preparations and teamwork by players, coaches and management.”
Tuilaepa placed the role of leadership that he and others are involved in as indirect unless it is helping to motivate the players to play well.
As rugby league patron he has urged the Government to reward the Toa Samoa generously for having lifted the country’s proud global image and the joyful moment celebrated at home.
He was among the rugby union home fans clued to the live coverage of the South Africa 7s tournament leg to cheer on the Manu Samoa.
“I watched our 7s team play South Africa and I really felt for our boys and coach Muliagatele for winning in front of the Springboks crowd.
“I think a lot of the credit should go to their preparations including the added input of weight training by Tuaopepe Wallwork in weightlifting.”
Tuilaepa is a firm believer in giving the players the right motivation as it has shown on several occasions in some of the memorable wins in the past.
Home celebrations for both teams are being lined up for their respective triumphs.