Rugby fans at home in Samoa and abroad mourns the passing of Sua Saini Le Mamea of the Manu Samoa World Cup ’91 fame.
CEO Faleomavaega on behalf of the Samoa Rugby Union expressed condolences to the rugby hero in a statement last night Tuesday 26 Jan’ 21 :
Faleomavaega said: “We are saddened to hear of Saini’s passing. Saini was an intergral part of Manu Samoa team in the late 80s and an integral member of Manu Samoa’s Rugby World Cup 91 team.”
Saini was a quiet achiever and a well-liked and known by his team mates in the Manu Samoa family as ‘the Bushman’.
He hailed from Lefaga Union where he was first selected as a promising Lock Forward and played for Apia Maroons for many years.
He was first selected in the Manu Samoa team which toured Wales and Ireland in 1988 which he played in both test matches.
He is fondly remembered as the first Manu Samoa player to score a try in Cardiff Arms Park which is known today as the Millennium Stadium.
Former Manu Samoa Head Coach, Su’a Peter Schuster was sadden by the news of Saini’s passing, ‘Our Manu Samoa family has lost one of the nicest blokes and team man.
He exemplified a great character on and off the field as a gentle giant and always put his body on the line for his mates and Country.”
Our thoughts and prayers are with his five children and seven grandchildren through these hard times having lost their mother Kuini in 2017. Su’a was the current Pulenu’u at Malololelei where he served and lived with his young family.
Sua was 56 years old.
