By Staff Writer
The Samoa Rugby Union has appointed two rugby legends as national coaches for the Manu Samoa 15 and 7 teams respectively.
Mapusua Seilala Mapusua will take over the Manu Samoa 15 with Muliagatele Brian Lima as head coach for the 7-a-side team.
The Samoa Rugby Union officially released the new appointments late last night.
Chief Executive Officer, Faleomavaega Vincent Fepulea’i confirmed both appointments following the SRU Board meeting last night.
Mapusua and Muliagatele were recommended by “an independent chaired panel and representatives recommended following a lengthy and rigorous process that attracted applications from all around the World,” said the SRU official release.
The recommendations was endorsed and ratified by the Samoa Rugby Union Board last night.
“We want to congratulate Muliagatele on his appointment to lead our Manu Samoa Sevens and our National Sevens Program. We wish him the very best as he tries to revive our National Sevens Program,” CEO Faleomavaega said.
Muliagatele’s appointment was made following the recent resignation of Sir Gordon Tietjens after leading Samoa National Sevens Program for the past three years. Samoa is yet to qualify for the
Olympics and it will be one of Muliagatele’s assignment is to prepare our team for the qualifiers and
a possible debut at the Olympics in Tokyo, Japan 2021.
Muliagatele is appointed for a two year term.
Muliagatele said “I feel truly privileged and honoured to be given this opportunity to lead our national sevens program. I cannot wait to come on board and work closely with CEO and GM Rugby in making sure we can revive our 7s program. ”
Faleomavaega said the SRU will be working with Muliagatele to build a solid team of technical and management staff around him as they prepare for the World Sevens Series and also the Olympics Qualifier in 2021 with the aim to debut at the Tokyo Olympics 2021.
Faleomavaega also congratulated Mapusua on his appointment and wished him well for what he said was a new phase in the Manu Samoa History.
“Samoa Rugby Union went through a lengthy process in reviewing the Manu Samoa RWC campaign with the aim to make sure lessons learnt will be dealt professionally and make sure it won’t repeat in the next cycle hence the delay in making the appointment.”
Faleomavaega said Mapusua’s appointment is for a two-year period.
The new Head Coach, Mapusua said “I am very honoured and humbled to be a member of the Manu Samoa again.
“I am excited to return home and get to work in growing and developing Manu Samoa rugby starting from the grassroots”.