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Samoa v Fiji in Samoa Announced for October

deluded pom?

deluded pom?

Coach
Messages
10,897
Let's hope it doesn't go the same way as the proposed match involving the two Pacific Test winners last season.
 
F

flamin

Juniors
Messages
2,046
Yes! This is how you grow the game internationally.

They got a lot of flak (often deserved) but in this case well done RLIF and the NRL for supporting it.
https://www.nrl.com/samoa-to-host-fiji-in-historic-test/tabid/10874/newsid/95676/default.aspx
Samoa will host a historic Test match against Fiji in Apia on October 8 – Samoa's first official Test match on home soil.

The announcement was made today by ARLC Chairman and RLIF Deputy Chairman John Grant, alongside Rugby League Samoa Chairman and Asia Pacific Rugby League Confederation Chairman Tagaloa Faafouina Su'a, and the Fiji Rugby League Chairman Filimoni Vosarogo.

Along with supporting the match financially, the NRL will also provide one of its leading NRL referees along with senior staff and management.

Mr Grant said it was a fitting way for Samoa to celebrate 30 years of Rugby League in the country.

"The Pacific is a region we will continue to support," Mr Grant said.

"Our League Bilong Laif program in PNG and the Pacific Outreach Program in Samoa, Fiji and Tonga have been enormously successful, and are now delivered by 50 full and part time staff across PNG, Samoa, Fiji and Tonga.

"Today's Pacific Double Header showcases the talent in the region and the fact that Samoa will now host a Rugby League Test will continue to grow the game."

Rugby League Samoa Chairman Tagaloa Faafouina Su'a said he was delighted to celebrate 30 years of Rugby League in Samoa by hosting a Test match.

"We have come a long way in 30 years," he said.

"I'd like to thank our patron, Prime Minister Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi, and his Government, for their ongoing support.

"With the Pacific Outreach Program now embedded in our schools, and now a Test match in Samoa to look forward to, the game will continue to grow."
Click to expand...
 
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S

SJR

Juniors
Messages
24
Big Picture said:
It's also a false one. Samoa and PNG previously played each other in Suva in 2009 and Samoa played Fiji there in 2010. Unless I'm mistaken they also played Tonga there back in 1988.
Click to expand...

In Suva (which is in Fiji) as opposed to a match in Samoa?

Well done ARLC and NRL. Although not before time. Should organise an end of year match between Tonga and PNG too and Cook Islands v Vanuatu.
 
B

Big Picture

Juniors
Messages
266
SJR said:
In Suva (which is in Fiji) as opposed to a match in Samoa?

Well done ARLC and NRL. Although not before time. Should organise an end of year match between Tonga and PNG too and Cook Islands v Vanuatu.
Click to expand...
Sorry, I should have written Apia rather than Suva.
 
B

Big Picture

Juniors
Messages
266
Last Week said:
A full test?
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I'm not sure what you mean by that. As a Canadian I make no distinction of "test" which doesn't exist in big international sports like soccer and handball, I consider all senior Internationals on par with each other. As far as I know the Pacific island nations have no lower-level national teams so they've only ever played such senior Internationals.
 
S

Sydney Knight

Bench
Messages
3,000
Hopefully we will see more home tests for PNG now that they have new stadiums for the Pacific games. I'd love to see a full Kangaroos v Kumuls test there again.
 
Foreign Legion

Foreign Legion

Coach
Messages
12,091
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...t-historic-test-in-samoa-20160507-goowbt.html

ARLC chairman John Grant is confident NRL clubs will release their star players to play for Samoa and Fiji in the first Test match to be played in Apia on October 8 to mark the 30th anniversary of the game in the Pacific nation.
The ARLC is providing financial support for the Test as part of its ongoing commitment to develop the game in the Pacific and will supply a leading referee as well as senior staff and management to help with organisation.
Touchdown: Fiji's Etuate Tamanikaitai Qionimacawa celebrates with teammates after scoring a try during the Test against ...
Touchdown: Fiji's Etuate Tamanikaitai Qionimacawa celebrates with teammates after scoring a try during the Test against PNG on Saturday. Photo: Getty Images
However, Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett's decision to tell Anthony Milford not to play for Samoa against Tonga at Parramatta on Saturday night and the withdrawal of dozens of players from this weekend's representative round has raised concerns about the influence of clubs.
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But with Australia and New Zealand playing a Test in Perth on October 10, before heading to England for the Four Nations, Grant said he expected clubs to also release players for the historic Test at the 15,000 capacity Apia Park.
"We will work with all the clubs to do that," Grant said. "It will be the end of the season and there will be a Four Nations team picked for Australia and we would like to think that all players who are eligible for Samoa or Fiji will be able to play. We don't see why there will be any issues with that."
Grant said the Test was a fitting way for Samoa to celebrate 30 years of rugby league in the country.
"The Pacific is a region we will continue to support," Grant said. "Our League Bilong Laif program in PNG and the Pacific Outreach Program in Samoa, Fiji and Tonga have been enormously successful, and are now delivered by 50 full and part-time staff across PNG, Samoa, Fiji and Tonga.
"The Pacific double header showcases the talent in the region and the fact that Samoa will now host a rugby league Test will continue to grow the game."
Rugby League Samoa chairman Tagaloa Faafouina Su'a said a home Test featuring NRL stars would provide a huge boost to the domestic game in his country.
"Samoa is a rugby nation and we have been having some games with residents teams against other nations but having the first full Test match will have the support of the people," he said.
"Having NRL matches live on free-to-air television every weekend back home has really built the interest and support for the Toa Samoa team."


Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...t-in-samoa-20160507-goowbt.html#ixzz480doa4eE
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