Samoa national rugby union team

{{Short description|National rugby union team of Samoa}} {{About|the men's team|the women's team|Samoa women's national rugby union team}} {{distinguish|Samoa national rugby league team}} {{Infobox national rugby team | Name = Samoa | Nickname = ''Manu Samoa'' | Badge = Coat of arms of Samoa.svg | Badge_size = 185px | Emblem = Southern cross | Union = Rugby Samoa | Coach = Tusi Pisi | Captain = Theo McFarland | Most caps = Brian Lima (67) | Top scorer = Tusi Pisi (245) | Top try scorer = Brian Lima (29) | Home Stadium = Apia Park  | pattern_la1 = _samoa23rwch | pattern_b1 = _samoa23rwch | pattern_ra1 = _samoa23rwch | pattern_sh1 = | pattern_so1 = _whitetop | leftarm1 = 000099 | body1 = 000099 | rightarm1 = 000099 | shorts1 = ffffff | socks1 = 000099  | pattern_la2 = _samoa23rwca | pattern_b2 = _samoa23rwca | pattern_ra2 = _samoa23rwca | pattern_sh2 = | pattern_so2 = _bluetop | leftarm2 = FFFFFF | body2 = FFFFFF | rightarm2 = FFFFFF | shorts2 = 000099 | socks2 = ffffff | World Rugby Rank = 19 | World Rugby Rank date = 1 January 2026 | World Rugby max = 7 | World Rugby max year = 2012, 2013 | World Rugby min = 19 | World Rugby min year = 2025, 2026 | First game = {{flagicon|SAM|colonial}} '''Western Samoa''' 0–6 {{ru-rt|FJI|colonial}} (Apia, Samoa; 18 August 1924) | Largest win = {{ru|SAM}} 115–7 {{ru-rt|PNG}} (Apia, Samoa; 11 July 2009) | Largest loss = {{nowrap|{{ru|NZL}} 101–14 {{ru-rt|SAM}} (New Plymouth, New Zealand; 3 September 2008)}} | World cup apps = 9 | World cup first = 1991 | World cup best = ''Quarterfinals'' (1991, 1995) | medaltemplates = {{Medal|Competition|Pacific Games}} {{Medal|Gold|1971 Papeete|}} {{Medal|Gold|1991 Port Moresby|}} {{Medal|Silver|1983 Apia|}} {{Medal|Bronze|1963 Suva|}} | website = [https://www.manusamoa.com/ manusamoa.com] }}

The '''Samoa national rugby union team''' represents Samoa in men's international rugby union competitions. They are governed by Samoa Rugby Union and also known as "Manu Samoa", which is thought to derive from the name of a Samoan warrior.<ref>{{Cite web|title=MANU SAMOA {{!}} Meaning & Definition for UK English {{!}} Lexico.com|url=https://www.lexico.com/definition/manu_samoa|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210711123654/https://www.lexico.com/definition/manu_samoa|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 11, 2021|access-date=2021-10-28|website=Lexico Dictionaries {{!}} English|language=en}}</ref> They perform a traditional Samoan challenge called the siva tau before each game. Samoa Rugby Union were formerly members of the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance (PIRA) along with Fiji and Tonga.<ref>[http://www.samoaobserver.ws/index.php?view=article&id=10568%3Awe-quit&option=com_content&Itemid=53 We quit: SRU] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120220102824/http://www.samoaobserver.ws/index.php?view=article&id=10568%3Awe-quit&option=com_content&Itemid=53 |date=2012-02-20 }} Samoa Observer</ref>

Rugby was introduced to Samoa in the 1890s but a governing body was not formed for some years, and neither was a club competition organised until after World War I. The first international was played as Western Samoa against Fiji in August 1924. Along with Tonga, these nations would meet regularly and eventually contest competitions such as the Pacific Tri-Nations – with Western Samoa winning the first of these. From 1924 to 1997 Samoa was known as Western Samoa.

Samoa have been to every Rugby World Cup since the 1991 tournament. That tournament, along with the 1995 competition, saw them make the quarterfinals. Under their new coach, former New Zealand and Samoan international player Michael Jones, Samoa competed in the 2007 Rugby World Cup. However, Samoa had a dismal World Cup campaign, winning only one match and finishing fourth in their group. Samoa showed an improved performance at the 2011 Rugby World Cup, winning two matches by comfortable margins, and losing close matches to South Africa and Wales.

==History== The history of Samoan rugby is filled with provably untrue myths and legends. Among them are that the Marist Brothers brought rugby to Western Samoa in 1924 and The Western Samoa Rugby Football Union was formed in 1924. Another is that a large tree was growing in the middle of the Apia Park pitch when Samoa played its first test in 1924.

The man who brought rugby to Samoa was a New Zealand surveyor, Norman Macdonald, who arrived in the country in 1892. He organised games on an ad-hoc basis, often against crews from visiting ships. Native Samoans were encouraged to play right from the start, and did so. During the German colonial era these games still happened on an irregular basis, but the arrival of New Zealand troops in the early stages of World War I meant rugby wasn't far behind.

The first match for which a score has been preserved was played in 1918 between the Garrison and a Home XV, which the soldiers won 13-6. Club rugby began in 1923 when four clubs - Barbarians, Nomads, Rovers and United - contested the first championship. Matches were played at Pilot Point, and that ground did have a tree inside the playing area; the newspaper reports often mentioned it. By the end of that season development work was beginning at Apia Park; the ground was levelled and a football pitch was prepared, cleared of all weeds and made up to international size.

On 18 August 1924, Western Samoa played its first international against Fiji in the capital Apia, the visitors winning 6–0. The match was played at 7{{nbsp}}am to allow the Samoans time to get to work afterwards and the ship taking the Fijian team to Tonga to make its sailing time. The return match, a month later, was won 9–3 by Samoa.

The Apia Rugby Union was formed in 1927, with eight clubs, and affiliated to the New Zealand Rugby Union that year. The Western Samoa Rugby Union wasn't formed as the governing body until 1958.

Club rugby changed formats in 1936, becoming a mercantile competition with business house teams replacing the village sides. This carried on until 1940, when the game closed down during World War II. It was resumed in 1946 and had another brief hiatus until a full club competition was played in 1953; this has run uninterrupted since.

In 1956 Western Samoa visited both Pacific Island neighbors Fiji and Tonga, but had to wait a further 20 years before a tour of New Zealand took place. The Samoans won one of eight matches on that 1956 tour.

The traditional tri-series between Tonga, Fiji and Western Samoa was established in 1982 with Western Samoa winning the first tournament. Wales visited Western Samoa and won the test 32–16 at Apia. The tour led to a return visit to Wales which brought Western Samoa out of International limbo, although Western Samoa were not invited to the first Rugby World Cup in 1987.

The following year a 14-match tour of Europe took place before a World Cup elimination series in Tokyo, which gave Western Samoa a place in the 1991 Rugby World Cup in Britain. They made a huge impact. After sweeping aside Wales 16–13 in Cardiff and defeating Argentina 35–12, and narrowly losing 3–9 to eventual champions Australia in their pool match, Western Samoa, a country with a population of 160,000, found itself in the quarterfinals against Scotland at Murrayfield. The Scots won comfortably 28–6, but the Samoans were clearly the personality team of the tournament. One Welsh fan ruefully remarked after Wales's defeat, "It's a good job we weren't playing all of Samoa."

Over the next two years, the side had a number of notable wins. The most outstanding achievements were in Sevens where it won the 1993 Hong Kong and 1992 Middlesex Sevens. The 1995 Rugby World Cup in South Africa proved that the team belonged in top company. They again reached the quarterfinals after wins over Argentina and Italy, but were beaten 42–14 by the eventual winners South Africa. After the Cup, Manu Samoa made a 13-match tour of England and Scotland, drawing 15–15 with the Scots and going down 27–9 to England.

With the advent of professional rugby in 1995 it was vital for Manu Samoa to develop a new administrative structure. This was made possible with Fay Richwhite and the Western Samoan Rugby Union joining forces to form Manu Samoa Rugby Limited. Fay Richwhite invested $5 million from 1995 to 2004 into Samoan rugby.<ref name="RNZI_9519">{{cite news |url=http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=9519 |title=Samoa's Prime Minister praises banker, Sir Michael Fay, for supporting Manu Samoa |date=18 April 2004 |work=Radio New Zealand International |access-date=7 November 2011}}</ref><ref name=2011_FaySamoaNeedsChange>{{cite web|title=Fay: Samoans need change|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10762696|publisher=The New Zealand Herald|access-date=8 July 2015}}</ref> thumb|320px|Japan vs Samoa Rugby Match at Chichibunomiya Stadium on 17 June 2012, which was won by Samoa 27–26 Samoa emerged from the 1999 World Cup with its honor intact after another shock 38–31 victory over host nation Wales in the pool stages. They again lost out to Scotland in the quarterfinal play-off.

Manu Samoa qualified for the 2003 World Cup with a 17–16 loss against Fiji, Earl Va'a missing an injury-time penalty. They recovered to beat Tonga both home and away and avenged that Fijian defeat with a 22–12 win in Nadi. They ultimately had to settle for second place in the round robin, behind Fiji on points difference, and a place in the tougher of the two Rugby World Cup 2003 pools alongside automatic qualifiers England and South Africa. In one of the games of the tournament, they led eventual champions England for most of the game before losing 35–22.

Samoa qualified for the 2011 World Cup after beating Papua New Guinea 73–12 in Port Moresby on 18 July 2009. They won 188–19 on aggregate over two matches against Papua New Guinea, having won 115–7 at Apia Park the previous week.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/8157392.stm|title=Samoa qualify for 2011 World Cup |date=18 July 2009|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=4 August 2009}}</ref>

Samoa began their 2011 World Cup campaign preparation with a flying start, after registering an upset against No.2 ranked Australia with a four-try-to-two win of 32–23.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/14175299 Samoa shock Australia with 32–23 win in Sydney] BBC Sport, 17 July 2011</ref>

In November 2017, Samoa's prime minister and SRU chairman Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi announced that the organisation was bankrupt,<ref name="Union broke, P.M. admits">{{cite news | url=http://www.samoaobserver.ws/en/08_11_2017/local/26403/Union-broke-PM-admits.htm | title=Union broke, P.M. admits | work=Samoa Observer | date=7 November 2017 | access-date=22 November 2017}}</ref> although those claims were denied by world governing body World Rugby.<ref name="Autumn Tests: Samoa rugby not bankrupt, says World Rugby">{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/42059958 | title=Autumn Tests: Samoa rugby not bankrupt, says World Rugby | publisher=BBC Sport | date=20 November 2017 | access-date=22 November 2017}}</ref>

==Overall record== {{World Rugby Rankings|Samoa|Samoa|6|18|12|short=yes|history=yes}} Below is a table of the representative rugby matches played by a Samoa national XV at test level up until '''18 November 2025''', updated after match with {{ru|BEL}}.

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:90%" |- ! style="width:180px;"| Opponent ! style="width:50px;"| Played ! style="width:50px;"| Won ! style="width:50px;"| Lost ! style="width:50px;"| Drawn ! style="width:50px;"| Win % ! style="width:50px;"| For ! style="width:50px;"| Aga ! style="width:50px;"| Diff |- | {{ru|ARG}} || 5 || 3 || 2 || 0 || {{#expr:3/5*100 round 2}}% || 121 || 101 || +20 |- | {{ru|AUS}} || 6|| 1 || 5 || 0 || 16.66% || 73 || 238 || −165 |- | {{ruA|AUS}} || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 50.00% || 31 || 26 || +5 |- | {{noflag|Barbarians}} || 1 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0.00% || 24 || 27 || −3 |- | {{ru|BEL}} || 2 || 1 || 0 || 1 || 50.00% || 50 || 21 || +29 |- | {{ru|BRA}} || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 100.00% || 48 || 10 || +38 |- | {{ru|CAN}} || 6 || 6 || 0 || 0 || 100.00% || 169 || 103 || +66 |- | {{ru|CHI}} || 3 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 33.33% || 87 || 73 || +14 |- | {{ru|COK}} || 3 || 3 || 0 || 0 || 100.00% || 102 || 31 || +71 |- | {{ru|ENG}} || 9|| 0 || 9 || 0 || 0.00% || 131 || 310 || −179 |- | {{ru|FIJ}} || 57 || 21 || 33 || 3 || {{#expr:21/57*100 round 2}}%|| 994 || 1,173 || −179 |- | {{ru|FIJ|name=Fiji XV}} || 3 || 0 || 3 || 0 || 0.00% || 20 || 58 || −38 |- | {{ru|FRA}} || 4 || 0 || 4 || 0 || 0.00% || 49 || 156 || −107 |- | {{ru|GEO}} || 6|| 2 || 3 || 1 || {{#expr:2/6*100 round 2}}% || 135 || 110 || +25 |- | {{ru|GER}} || 2 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 100.00% || 108 || 43 || +65 |- | {{ru|IRE}} || 8 || 1 || 7 || 0 || {{#expr:1/8*100 round 2}}% || 121 || 273 || −152 |- | {{ru|ITA}} || 9 || 6 || 3 || 0 || {{#expr:6/9*100 round 2}}% || 225 || 183 || +42 |- | {{ru|JPN}} || 19 || 12 || 7 || 0 || {{#expr:12/19*100 round 2}}% || 574 || 410 || +164 |- | {{ru|KOR}} || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 100.00% || 74 || 7 || +67 |- | {{ru|NAM}} || 3 || 3 || 0 || 0 || 100.00% || 115 || 33 || +82 |- | {{ru|New Caledonia}} || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 100.00% || 28 || 6 || +22 |- | {{ru|NZL}} || 7 || 0 || 7 || 0 || 0.00% || 72 || 411 || −339 |- | {{ru|PNG}} || 2 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 100.00% || 188 || 19 || +169 |- | {{ru|ROM}} || 3 || 1 || 2 || 0 || {{#expr:1/3*100 round 2}}% || 59 || 49 || +10 |- | {{ru|RUS}} || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 100.00% || 34 || 9 || +25 |- | {{ru|SCO}} || 13|| 1 || 11 || 1 || {{#expr:1/13*100 round 2}}% || 205 || 373 || −168 |- | {{ru|RSA}} || 9|| 0 || 9 || 0 || 0.00% || 99 || 431 || −332 |- | {{ru|ESP}} || 2 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 100.00% || 62 || 40 || +22 |- | {{ru|Tahiti}} || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 100.00% || 33 || 11 || +22 |- | {{ru|TON}} || 71 || 39 || 28 || 4 || {{#expr:39/71*100 round 2}}% || 1,350 || 1,075 || +275 |- | {{ru|USA}} || 9 || 6 || 3 || 0 || {{#expr:6/9*100 round 2}}% || 187 || 170 || +17 |- | {{ru|URU}} || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 100.00% || 60 || 13 || +47 |- | {{ru|WAL}} || 10|| 4 || 6 || 0 || 40.00% || 180 || 235 || −55 |- | {{ru|GER|name=West Germany}} || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 100.00% || 54 || 9 || +45 |- class="sortbottom" ! Total !! 280 !! 125 !! 144 !! 11 !! {{#expr:125/280*100 round 2}}% !! 5,862 !! 6,237 !! −375 |}

===World Cup record===  {{main|Samoa at the Rugby World Cup}} {{Samoa Rugby World Cup record}} In one of the scenes of the feature film, ''Invictus'', Western Samoa can be seen playing South Africa in the 1995 Rugby World Cup.

===Pacific Nations Cup=== {{Main|World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup}}

Samoa previously competed in the Pacific Tri-Nations winning 11 tournaments. The Pacific Nations Cup replaced the Tri-Nations tournament in 2006. Samoa have won four tournaments. {| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center;"

|- ! Tournament !! Won!! Drawn !! Lost !! Samoa finish |- | 2006 || 2||0||2 || 2nd / 5 |- | 2007 || 3||0||2 || 3rd / 6 |- | 2008 || 2||0||3 || 3rd / 6 |- | 2009 || 2||0||2 || 3rd / 5 |- | 2010 || 2||0||1 || bgcolor=#FFD700|1st / 4 |- | 2011 || 1||0||2 || 3rd / 4 |- | 2012 || 3||0||0 || bgcolor=#FFD700|1st / 4 |- | 2013 || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} ||{{n/a}} ||DNP |- | 2014 || 1||1||0 || bgcolor=#FFD700|1st / 3 |- | 2015 || 2||1||1 ||2nd / 6 |- | 2016 || 1||0||1 || 2nd / 3 |- | 2017 || 0||0||2 || 3rd / 3 |- | 2018 || 0||0||2 || 4th / 4 |- | 2019 || 1||0||2 || 4th / 6 |- | 2022 || 3||0||0 || bgcolor=#FFD700|1st / 4 |- | 2024 || 2||0||2 || 3rd / 6 |- | 2025 || 0 || 0 || 3 || 6th / 6 |- ! Total || 25 || 2 || 24 || 4 titles |}

===Wins against Tier 1 nations=== Samoa have recorded 17 wins against tier 1 nations. In addition, Samoa drew with Scotland 15–15 on the 18 November 1995 at Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh, Scotland. {{Rugbybox collapsible2 |date=6 October 1991 |time = |home={{ru-rt|WAL}} |score= 13–16 |away={{flagicon|SAM}} Samoa |report=[http://www.espnscrum.com/statsguru/rugby/match/22434.html Report] |stadium= {{flagicon|WAL}} Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff |referee= {{flagicon|FRA}} Patrick Robin (France) |attendance= 45,000 |try1=I Evans Emyr |con1=Ring |pen1=Ring |drop1= |gfm1= |try2=Vaega Vaifale |con2=Vaea |pen2=Vaea (2) |drop2= |gfm2= }} {{Rugbybox collapsible2 |date=13 October 1991 |time = |home={{ru-rt|ARG}} |score= 12–35 |away={{flagicon|SAM}} Samoa |report=[http://www.espnscrum.com/statsguru/rugby/match/22451.html Report] |stadium= {{flagicon|WAL}} Sardis Road, Pontypridd |referee= |attendance= 8,500 |try1=Teran Nougues |con1=Arbizu |pen1=Arbizu Laborde |drop1= |gfm1= |try2=Bachop Bunce Lima (2) Tagaloa (2) |con2=Vaea (4) |pen2=Vaea |drop2= |gfm2= }} {{Rugbybox collapsible2 |date=25 June 1994 |time = |home=Samoa {{flagicon|SAM}} |score= 34–9 |away={{ru|WAL}} |report=[http://www.espnscrum.com/statsguru/rugby/match/22817.html Report] |stadium= {{flagicon|SAM}} Moamoa |referee= {{flagicon|AUS}} Barry Leask (Australia) |attendance= |try1=Lam Lima (2) |con1=Kellett (2) |pen1=Kellett (5) |drop1= |gfm1= |try2= |con2= |pen2=N Jenkins (3) |drop2= |gfm2= }} {{Rugbybox collapsible2 |date=27 May 1995 |time = |home={{ru-rt|ITA}} |score= 18–42 |away={{flagicon|SAM}} Samoa |report=[http://www.espnscrum.com/statsguru/rugby/match/22942.html Report] |stadium= {{flagicon|RSA}} ABSA Stadium, East London |referee= {{flagicon|FRA}} Joel Dume (France) |attendance= 12,000 |try1=Cuttitta Vaccari |con1=Domínguez |pen1=Domínguez |drop1=Domínguez |gfm1= |try2=Harder (2) Kellett Lima (2) Tatupu |con2=Kellett (3) |pen2=Kellett (2) |drop2= |gfm2= }} {{Rugbybox collapsible2 |date=30 May 1995 |time = |home={{ru-rt|ARG}} |score= 26–32 |away={{flagicon|SAM}} Samoa |report=[http://www.espnscrum.com/statsguru/rugby/match/22948.html Report] |stadium= {{flagicon|RSA}} ABSA Stadium, East London |referee= {{flagicon|NZL}} Dave Bishop (New Zealand) |attendance= 15,000 |try1=Crexell Penalty Try |con1=Cilley (2) |pen1=Cilley (4) |drop1= |gfm1= |try2=Harder Lam Leaupepe |con2=Kellett |pen2=Kellett (5) |drop2= |gfm2= }} {{Rugbybox collapsible2 |date=12 November 1996 |time = |home={{ru-rt|IRE}} |score= 25–40 |away={{flagicon|SAM}} Samoa |report=[http://www.espnscrum.com/statsguru/rugby/match/23158.html Report] |stadium= {{flagicon|Ireland|rugby union}} Lansdowne Road, Dublin |referee= {{flagicon|ARG}} Santiago Borsani (Argentina) |attendance= |try1=Wallace |con1=Mason |pen1=Mason (6) |drop1= |gfm1= |try2=Leaupepe Patu So'oalo Vaega (2) |con2=Va'a (3) |pen2=Va'a (3) |drop2= |gfm2= }} {{Rugbybox collapsible2 |date=14 October 1999 |time = |home={{ru-rt|WAL}} |score= 31–38 |away={{flagicon|SAM}} Samoa |report=[http://www.espnscrum.com/statsguru/rugby/match/23677.html Report] |stadium= {{flagicon|WAL}} Millennium Stadium, Cardiff |referee= {{flagicon|ENG}} Ed Morrison (England) |attendance= 72,500 |try1=Thomas Penalty Try (2) |con1=N Jenkins (2) |pen1=N Jenkins (4) |drop1= |gfm1= |try2=Bachop (2) Falaniko Lam Leaega |con2=Leaega (5) |pen2=Leaega |drop2= |gfm2= }} {{Rugbybox collapsible2 |date=8 July 2000 |time = |home=Samoa {{flagicon|SAM}} |score= 43–24 |away={{ru|ITA}} |report=[http://www.espnscrum.com/statsguru/rugby/match/23835.html Report] |stadium= {{flagicon|SAM}} Apia Park, Apia |referee= {{flagicon|RSA}} Tappe Henning (South Africa) |attendance= 7,500 |try1=Lima Samania So'oalo Vaega Vili |con1=Samania (3) |pen1=Samania (4) |drop1= |gfm1= |try2=Checchinato Moscardi Stoica |con2=Pez (3) |pen2= |drop2=Pez |gfm2= }} {{Rugbybox collapsible2 |date=24 November 2001 |time = |home={{ru-rt|ITA}} |score= 9–17 |away={{flagicon|SAM}} Samoa |report=[http://www.espnscrum.com/statsguru/rugby/match/24121.html Report] |stadium= {{flagicon|ITA}} Stadio Tommaso Fattori, L'Aquila |referee= {{flagicon|WAL}} Robert G. Davies (Wales) |attendance= 8,000 |try1= |con1= |pen1=Domínguez (3) |drop1= |gfm1= |try2=Fa'atau |con2= |pen2=Leaega (2) Vili (2) |drop2= |gfm2= }} {{Rugbybox collapsible2 |date=3 December 2005 |time = |home={{ru-rt|ARG}} |score= 12–28 |away={{flagicon|SAM}} Samoa |report=[http://www.espnscrum.com/statsguru/rugby/match/25110.html Report] |stadium= {{flagicon|ARG}} Buenos Aires |referee= {{flagicon|WAL}} Nigel Owens (Wales) |attendance= |try1=Agulla Fernández Lobbe |con1=Fernández Miranda |pen1= |drop1= |gfm1= |try2=Johnston Sititi Tagicakibau |con2=Warren (2) |pen2=Warren (2) |drop2=Warren |gfm2= }} {{Rugbybox collapsible2 |date=17 July 2011 |time = |home={{ru-rt|AUS}} |score= 23–32 |away={{flagicon|SAM}} Samoa |report=[http://www.espnscrum.com/statsguru/rugby/match/137375.html Report] |stadium= {{flagicon|AUS}} Stadium Australia, Sydney |referee= {{flagicon|RSA}} Marius Jonker (South Africa) |attendance= 29,908 |try1=Ioane 37' Giteau 70' |con1=Giteau (38', 71') |pen1=Giteau (40', 41', 57') |drop1= |gfm1= |try2=Tuilagi 11' Williams 28' Thompson 45' G Pisi 54' |con2=T Pisi (13', 29', 55') |pen2=T Pisi (3', 65') |drop2= |gfm2= }} {{Rugbybox collapsible2 |date=16 November 2012 |time = |home={{ru-rt|WAL}} |score= 19–26 |away={{flagicon|SAM}} Samoa |report=[http://www.espnscrum.com/statsguru/rugby/match/161867.html Report] |stadium= {{flagicon|WAL}} Millennium Stadium, Cardiff |referee= {{flagicon|FRA}} Pascal Gauzère (France) |attendance= 44,329 |try1=Beck 32' |con1=Halfpenny (1/1) 33' |pen1=Halfpenny (4/5) 15', 28', 49', 61' |drop1= |gfm1= |try2=Autagavaia 1' c G Pisi 46' m Leota 77' m |con2=T Pisi (1/3) 2' |pen2=T Pisi (3/6) 40', 56', 65' |drop2= |gfm2= }} {{Rugbybox collapsible2 |date=8 June 2013 |time = |home=Samoa {{flagicon|SAM}} |score= 27–17 |away={{ru|SCO}} |stadium= {{flagicon|RSA}} Mr Price Kings Park, Durban |referee = {{flagicon|Ireland|rugby union}} John Lacey (Ireland) |attendance= 9,753 |try1 = So'oialo 6' c Tuilagi (2) 11' c, 62' c |con1 = So'oialo (3/3) 8', 13', 64' |pen1 = So'oialo (2/3) 53', 69' |try2 = Lamont 49' m |pen2 = Laidlaw (4/5) 10', 18', 31', 41' }} {{Rugbybox collapsible2 |date=15 June 2013 |time = |home=Samoa {{flagicon|SAM}} |score= 39–10 |away={{ru|ITA}} |stadium= {{flagicon|RSA}} Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit |referee = {{flagicon|RSA}} Craig Joubert (South Africa) |attendance= |try1 = Williams 20' c Leiua 41' m Leota 53' c Tuifu'a 63' c Va'aulu 72' c |con1 = Williams (3/4) 21', 53', 64' Anufe (1/1) 73' |pen1 = Williams (2/3) 30', 51' |try2 = Penalty try 70' c |con2 = di Bernardo (1/1) 70' |pen2 = Orquera (1/3) 27' }} {{Rugbybox collapsible2 |date = 14 June 2014 |time = 14:00 WST (UTC+13) |home = {{Ru-rt|SAM}} |score = 15–0 |report = [http://www.federugby.it/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6988%3Ala-mischia-samoana-domina-gli-azzurri-ad-apia-finisce-15-0&catid=252%3Aslide&Itemid=811&lang=it Report] ''(In Italian)'' |away = {{Ru|ITA}} |pen1 = T. Pisi (5/7) 10', 24', 30', 47', 69' |stadium = {{flagicon|SAM}} Apia Park, Apia |attendance = 7,000 |referee = George Clancy (Ireland) }} {{Rugbybox collapsible2 |date = 22 July 2023 |time = 14:50 JST (UTC+09) |home = {{Ru-rt|JPN}} |score = 22–24 |report = |away = {{ru|SAM}} |try1 = Fakatava 6' c |con1 = Lee Seung-sin (1/1) 7' |pen1 = Lee Seung-sin (5/5) 19', 42', 47', 57', 61' |try2 = Motuga 37' c Taumateine 48' c Manu 63' c |con2 = Leali'ifano (3/3) 38', 50', 64' |pen2 = Leali'ifano (1/1) 25' |stadium = {{flagicon|JPN}} Sapporo Dome, Sapporo |attendance = 22,063 |referee = Mathieu Raynal (France) }} {{Rugbybox collapsible2 |date = 5 July 2024 |time = 17:00 AST (UTC+13) |home = {{ru-rt|SAM}} |score = 33–25 |report = |away = {{Ru|ITA}} |try1 = Taramai 9' c Ah Wong 30' m Toala 58' c Moleli 77' m |con1 = Leuila (2/3) 10', 59' |pen1 = Leuila (3/3) 43', 50', 69' |drop1 = |try2 = Ioane 16' m Lynagh 20' c Garbisi 45' c |con2 = Garbisi (2/3) 21', 46' |pen2 = Garbisi (2/3) 14', 36' |drop2 = |stadium = {{flagicon|SAM}} Apia Park, Apia |attendance = |referee = Paul Williams (New Zealand) }}

==Players== ===Current squad=== On 31 October, Samoa named a 30-player squad ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup Final Qualification Tournament.<ref>[https://www.americasrugbynews.com/2025/10/31/ex-wallabies-prop-sio-bolsters-samoa-for-world-cup-repechage/ Ex-Wallabies prop Sio bolsters Samoa for World Cup Repechage]</ref>

'''Head coach''': {{flagdeco|SAM}} Tusi Pisi * Caps updated: 13 November 2025 (after Samoa v Namibia) {{nat rs start}} {{nat rs player|pos=HK|name={{sortname|Sama|Malolo}}|age={{Birth date and age|1998|2|19|df=y}}|caps=14|club=Perpignan|clubnat=FRA}} {{nat rs player|pos=HK|name={{sortname|Mills|Sanerivi}}|age={{Birth date and age|1999|8|31|df=y}}|caps=2|club=Moana Pasifika|clubnat=NZL}} {{nat rs player|pos=HK|name={{sortname|Luteru|Tolai}}|age={{Birth date and age|1998|6|1|df=y}}|caps=11|club=Biarritz|clubnat=FRA}} {{nat rs player|pos=PR|name={{sortname|Jarred|Adams}}|age={{Birth date and age|1996|9|26|df=y}}|caps=6|club=Suburbs Rugby Club|clubnat=NZL}} {{nat rs player|pos=PR|name={{sortname|Michael|Alaalatoa}}|age={{Birth date and age|1991|8|28|df=y}}|caps=26|club=Clermont|clubnat=FRA}} {{nat rs player|pos=PR|name={{sortname|Titi|Lamositele}}|age={{Birth date and age|1995|2|11|df=y}}|caps=3|club=Harlequins|clubnat=ENG}} {{nat rs player|pos=PR|name={{sortname|Scott|Sio}}|age={{Birth date and age|1991|10|16|df=y}}|caps=1|club=Exeter Chiefs|clubnat=ENG}} {{nat rs player|pos=PR|name={{sortname|Tietie|Tuimauga}}|age={{Birth date and age|1993|8|5|df=y}}|caps=9|club=Saracens|clubnat=ENG}} {{nat rs player|pos=LK|name={{sortname|Michael|Curry|dab=rugby union}}|age={{Birth date and age|1994|3|2|df=y}}|caps=15|club=Moana Pasifika|clubnat=NZL}} {{nat rs player|pos=LK|name={{sortname|Theo|McFarland}} (c)|age={{Birth date and age|1995|10|16|df=y}}|caps=23|club=Saracens|clubnat=ENG}} {{nat rs player|pos=LK|name={{sortname|Ben|Nee-Nee}}|age={{Birth date and age|1993|5|12|df=y}}|caps=17|club=Kamaishi Seawaves|clubnat=JPN}} {{nat rs player|pos=BR|name={{sortname|Miracle|Faiʻilagi}}|age={{Birth date and age|1999|8|31|df=y}}|caps=5|club=Moana Pasifika|clubnat=NZL}} {{nat rs player|pos=BR|name={{sortname|Niko|Jones}}|age={{Birth date and age|2000|7|22|df=y}}|caps=2|club=Waitemata|clubnat=NZL}} {{nat rs player|pos=BR|name={{sortname|Iakopo|Mapu}}|age={{Birth date and age|1997|11|4|df=y}}|caps=14|club=Stade Français|clubnat=FRA}} {{nat rs player|pos=BR|name={{sortname|Alamanda|Motuga}}|age={{Birth date and age|1994|9|11|df=y}}|caps=13|club=Moana Pasifika|clubnat=NZL}} {{nat rs player|pos=BR|name={{sortname|Abraham|Papali'i}}|age={{Birth date and age|1993|6|20|df=y}}|caps=4|club=Castres Olympique|clubnat=FRA}} {{nat rs player|pos=BR|name={{sortname|Taleni|Seu}}|age={{Birth date and age|1993|12|26|df=y}}|caps=15|club=Toyota Jido Shokki|clubnat=JPN}} {{nat rs player|pos=SH|name={{sortname|Joel|Lam}}|age={{Birth date and age|2002|5|17|df=y}}|caps=3|club=Burnside Rugby Club|clubnat=NZL}} {{nat rs player|pos=SH|name={{sortname|Jonathan|Taumateine}}|age={{Birth date and age|1996|9|28|df=y}}|caps=18|club=Moana Pasifika|clubnat=NZL}} {{nat rs player|pos=SH|name={{sortname|Connor|Tupai}}|age={{Birth date and age|1999|12|8|df=y}}|caps=7|club=''Unattached''}} {{nat rs player|pos=FH|name={{sortname|Rodney|Iona}}|age={{Birth date and age|1991|8|17|df=y}}|caps=16|club=Seattle Seawolves|clubnat=USA}} {{nat rs player|pos=FH|name={{sortname|Jacob|Umaga}}|age={{Birth date and age|1998|7|8|df=y}}|caps=3|club=Benetton|clubnat=ITA}} {{nat rs player|pos=CE|name={{sortname|Lalomilo|Lalomilo}}|age={{Birth date and age|1999|2|12|df=y}}|caps=6|club=Moana Pasifika|clubnat=NZL}} {{nat rs player|pos=CE|name={{sortname|Tumua|Manu}}|age={{Birth date and age|1993|4|18|df=y}}|caps=13|club=Pau|clubnat=FRA}} {{nat rs player|pos=CE|name={{sortname|Melani|Nanai}}|age={{Birth date and age|1993|8|3|df=y}}|caps=8|club=Capilano|clubnat=CAN}} {{nat rs player|pos=CE|name={{sortname|Faletoi|Peni}}|age={{Birth date and age|2000|4|6|df=y}}|caps=2|club=Southland|clubnat=NZL}} {{nat rs player|pos=WG|name={{sortname|Va'a|Apelu Maliko}}|age={{Birth date and age|1998|10|10|df=y}}|caps=2|club=Suresnes|clubnat=FRA}} {{nat rs player|pos=WG|name={{sortname|Latrell Smiler-Ah|Kiong}}|age=|caps=5|club=Western Sydney Two Blues|clubnat=AUS}} {{nat rs player|pos=WG|name={{sortname|Tuna|Tuitama}}|age={{Birth date and age|2000|2|25|df=y}}|caps=9|club=Moana Pasifika|clubnat=NZL}} {{nat rs player|pos=FB|name={{sortname|Duncan|Paia'aua}}|age={{Birth date and age|1995|1|20|df=y}}|caps=13|club=Perpignan|clubnat=FRA}} {{nat rs end}}

==Player records==

===Most caps===

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:100%; text-align:center;" |- ! style="width:35px;"|# ! style="width:160px;"|Player ! style="width:95px;"|Pos ! style="width:95px;"|Span ! style="width:45px;"|Mat ! style="width:45px;"|Start ! style="width:45px;"|Sub ! style="width:45px;"|Won ! style="width:45px;"|Lost ! style="width:40px;"|Draw ! style="width:45px;"|% |- | '''1''' || Brian Lima || Wing || 1991–2007 || '''65''' || 62 || 3 || 32 || 31 || 2 || 50.76 |- | '''2''' || To'o Vaega || Centre || 1986–2001 || '''61''' || 56 || 5 || 35 || 25 || 1 || 58.19 |- | '''3''' || Semo Sititi || Flanker || 1999–2009 || '''59''' || 50 || 9 || 33 || 26 || 0 || 55.93 |- | '''4''' || Census Johnston || Prop || 2005–2017 || '''57''' || 43 || 14 || 25 || 31 || 1 || 44.73 |- | '''5''' || David Lemi || Wing || 2004–2017 || '''54''' || 46 || 8 || 21 || 31 || 2 || 40.74 |- | rowspan="2" | '''6''' || Jack Lam || Flanker || 2013-2022 || '''44''' || 39 || 5 || 14 || 28 || 2 || 41.66 |- | Zak Taulafo || Prop || 2009–2016 || '''44''' || 39 || 5 || 20 || 22 || 2 || 47.72 |- | '''8''' || Opeta Palepoi || Lock || 1998–2005 || '''43''' || 30 || 13 || 24 || 19 || 0 || 55.81 |- | rowspan="2" | '''9''' || Tusi Pisi || Fly-half || 2011–2019 || '''42''' || 38 || 4 || 15 || 26 || 1 || 36.90 |- | Ofisa Treviranus || Flanker || 2009–2018 || '''42''' || 32 || 15 || 17 || 24 || 1 || 41.66 |}

Last updated: United States vs Samoa, 21 September 2024. Statistics include officially capped matches only.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stats.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/records/player/most_matches.html?id=15;type=team |title = Rugby Teams, Scores, Stats, News, Fixtures, Results, Tables - ESPN}}</ref>

===Most tries===

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:100%; text-align:center;" |- ! style="width:35px;"|# ! style="width:165px;"|Player ! style="width:95px;"|Pos ! style="width:95px;"|Span ! style="width:45px;"|Mat ! style="width:45px;"|Start ! style="width:45px;"|Sub ! style="width:50px;"|Pts ! style="width:45px;"|Tries |- | '''1''' || Brian Lima || Wing || 1991–2007 || 65 || 62 || 3 || 140 || '''29''' |- | '''2''' || Alesana Tuilagi || Wing || 2002–2015 || 37 || 35 || 2 || 90 || '''18''' |- | '''3''' || Semo Sititi || Flanker || 1999–2009 || 59 || 50 || 9 || 85 || '''17''' |- | '''4''' || Afato So'oalo || Wing || 1996–2001 || 20 || 18 || 2 || 80 || '''16''' |- | rowspan="2" | '''5''' || Lome Fa'atau || Wing || 2000–2007 || 35 || 31 || 4 || 70 || '''14''' |- | To'o Vaega || Centre || 1986–2001 || 61 || 56 || 5 || 79 || '''14''' |- | '''7''' || David Lemi || Wing || 2004–2017 || 54 || 46 || 8 || 65 || '''13''' |- | '''8''' || Ed Fidow || Wing || 2018–2023 || 21 || 16 || 5 || 60 || '''12''' |- | '''9''' || George Leaupepe || Centre || 1995–2005 || 26 || 23 || 3 || 50 || '''10''' |- | rowspan="3" | '''10''' || Tupo Fa'amasino || Centre || 1988–1996 || 20 || 20 || 0 || 52 || '''9''' |- | Alapati Leiua || Centre || 2013–2024 || 36 || 33 || 3 || 45 || '''9''' |- | Elvis Seveali'i || Centre || 2000–2007 || 20 || 16 || 4 || 45 || '''9''' |}

Last updated: United States vs Samoa, 21 September 2024. Statistics include officially capped matches only.<ref name="stats.espnscrum.com">{{cite web |url=http://stats.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/records/player/most_tries.html?id=15;type=team |title = Rugby Teams, Scores, Stats, News, Fixtures, Results, Tables - ESPN}}</ref>

===Most points===

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:100%; text-align:center;" |- ! style="width:25px;"|# ! style="width:140px;"|Player ! style="width:95px;"|Pos ! style="width:100px;"|Span ! style="width:45px;"|Mat ! style="width:45px;"|Pts ! style="width:45px;"|Tries ! style="width:45px;"|Conv ! style="width:45px;"|Pens ! style="width:45px;"|Drop |- | '''1''' || Tusi Pisi || Fly-half || 2011–2019 || 42 || '''245''' || 2 || 29 || 57 || 2 |- | '''2''' || Earl Va'a || Fly-half || 1996–2003 || 28 || '''174''' || 3 || 33 || 31 || 0 |- | '''3''' || Silao Leaega || Fullback || 1997–2002 || 19 || '''145''' || 2 || 21 || 31 || 0 |- | '''4''' || Brian Lima || Wing || 1991–2007 || 65 || '''140''' || 29 || 0 || 0 || 0 |- | '''5''' || Darren Kellett || Fly-half || 1993–1995 || 13 || '''137''' || 2 || 14 || 31 || 2 |- | '''6''' || Roger Warren|| Fly-half || 2004–2008 || 12 || '''119''' || 0 || 13 || 29 || 2 |- | rowspan="2" |'''7''' || '''D'Angelo Leuila''' || Fly-half || 2016- || 29 || '''106''' || 2 || 21 || 16 || 2 |- | Gavin Williams || Centre || 2007–2010 || 16 || '''106''' || 5 || 18 || 15 || 0 |- | '''9''' || Tanner Vili || Fly-half || 1999–2006 || 31 || '''99''' || 4 || 20 || 13 || 0 |- | '''10''' || Alesana Tuilagi || Wing || 2002–2015 || 37 || '''90''' || 18 || 0 || 0 || 0 |}

Last updated: United States vs Samoa, 21 September 2024. Statistics include officially capped matches only.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stats.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/records/player/most_points.html?id=15;type=team |title = Rugby Teams, Scores, Stats, News, Fixtures, Results, Tables - ESPN}}</ref>

===Most matches as captain===

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:100%; text-align:center;" |- ! style="width:35px;"|# ! style="width:162px;"|Player ! style="width:95px;"|Pos ! style="width:100px;"|Span ! style="width:40px;"|Mat ! style="width:40px;"|Won ! style="width:40px;"|Lost ! style="width:40px;"|Draw ! style="width:40px;"|% ! style="width:40px;"|Pts ! style="width:40px;"|Tries |- | '''1''' || Semo Sititi || Flanker || 2000–2007 || '''39''' || 19 || 20 || 0 || 48.71 || 45 || 9 |- | '''2''' || Pat Lam || Number 8 || 1995–1999 || '''23''' || 8 || 13 || 2 || 39.13 || 10 || 2 |- | '''3''' || David Lemi || Wing || 2012–2017 || '''21''' || 9 || 10 || 2 || 47.61 || 35 || 7 |- | '''4''' || Peter Fatialofa || Prop || 1990–1995 || '''16''' || 11 || 5 || 0 || 68.75 || 9 || 2 |- | rowspan="2" | '''5''' || '''Michael Alaalatoa''' || Prop || 2019- || '''13''' || 8 || 4 || 1 || 61.54 || 0 || 0 |- | Mahonri Schwalger || Hooker || 2009–2011 || '''13''' || 5 || 8 || 0 || 38.46 || 0 || 0 |- | rowspan="2" | '''7''' || '''Theo McFarland''' || Lock || 2024- || '''11''' || 6 || 4 || 1 || 54.55 || 0 || 0 |- | Chris Vui || Lock || 2017–2023 || '''11''' || 4 || 7 || 0 || 37.50 || 5 || 1 |- | '''9''' || Jack Lam || Flanker || 2018–2019 || '''9''' || 1 || 8 || 0 || 12.50 || 15 || 3 |- | '''10''' || George Stowers || Number 8 || 2008–2009 || '''7''' || 4 || 3 || 0 || 57.14 || 10 || 2 |}

Last updated: Samoa vs Belgium, 18 November 2025. Statistics include officially capped matches only.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stats.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/records/player/most_matches_captain.html?id=15;type=team |title = Rugby Teams, Scores, Stats, News, Fixtures, Results, Tables - ESPN}}</ref>

===Most points in a match===

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:100%; text-align:center;" |- ! style="width:35px;"|# ! style="width:162px;"|Player ! style="width:95px;"|Pos ! style="width:35px;"|Pts ! style="width:35px;"|Tries ! style="width:35px;"|Conv ! style="width:35px;"|Pens ! style="width:35px;"|Drop ! style="width:165px;"|Opposition ! style="width:165px;"|Venue ! style="width:65px;"|Date |- | '''1''' || Gavin Williams || Centre || '''30''' || 2 || 10 || 0 || 0 || {{ru|PNG}} || {{flagicon|SAM}} Apia || 11/07/2009 |- | '''2''' || Roger Warren|| Fly-half || '''24''' || 0 || 0 || 8 || 0 || {{ru|TGA}} || {{flagicon|SAM}} Apia || 29/05/2004 |- | rowspan="3" | '''3''' || Andrew Aiolupo || Fullback || '''23''' || 1 || 8 || 1 || 0 || {{ru|KOR}} || {{flagicon|JPN}} Tokyo || 08/04/1990 |- | Silao Leaega || Fullback || '''23''' || 1 || 3 || 4 || 0 || {{ru|JPN}} || {{flagicon|WAL}} Wrexham || 03/10/1999 |- | Toa Samania || Fullback || '''23''' || 1 || 3 || 4 || 0 || {{ru|ITA}} || {{flagicon|SAM}} Apia || 08/07/2000 |- | rowspan="2" | '''6''' || Darren Kellett || Fly-half || '''22''' || 0 || 2 || 5 || 1 || {{ru|TGA}} || {{flagicon|SAM}} Moamoa || 04/06/1994 |- | Ahsee Tuala || Fullback || '''22''' || 2 || 6 || 0 || 0 || {{ru|GER}} || {{flagicon|GER}} Heidelberg|| 14/07/2018 |- | rowspan="3" | '''8''' || To'o Vaega || Centre || '''21''' || 1 || 4 || 3 || 0 || {{ru|FJI}} || {{flagicon|SAM}} Apia || 01/06/1991 |- | Earl Va'a || Fly-half || '''21''' || 1 || 5 || 2 || 0 || {{ru|GEO|1990}} || {{flagicon|AUS}} Perth || 19/10/2003 |- | Roger Warren|| Fly-half || '''21''' || 0 || 3 || 4 || 1 || {{ru|FJI}} || {{flagicon|SAM}} Apia || 09/07/2005 |} Last updated: United States vs Samoa, 21 September 2024. Statistics include officially capped matches only.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stats.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/records/player/most_points_match.html?id=15;type=team |title = Rugby Teams, Scores, Stats, News, Fixtures, Results, Tables - ESPN}}</ref>

===Most tries in a match===

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:100%; text-align:center;" |- ! style="width:35px;"|# ! style="width:162px;"|Player ! style="width:95px;"|Pos ! style="width:35px;"|Pts ! style="width:35px;"|Tries ! style="width:35px;"|Conv ! style="width:35px;"|Pens ! style="width:35px;"|Drop ! style="width:165px;"|Opposition ! style="width:165px;"|Venue ! style="width:65px;"|Date |- | rowspan="4" | '''1''' || Elvis Seveali'i || Wing || 20 || '''4''' || 0 || 0 || 0 || {{ru|JPN}} || {{flagicon|SAM}} Apia || 10/06/2000 |- | Alesana Tuilagi || Wing || 20 || '''4''' || 0 || 0 || 0 || {{ru|TGA}} || {{flagicon|SAM}} Apia || 02/07/2005 |- | Esera Lauina|| Wing || 20 || '''4''' || 0 || 0 || 0 || {{ru|PNG}} || {{flagicon|SAM}} Apia || 11/07/2009 |- | Robert Lilomaiava|| Wing || 20 || '''4''' || 0 || 0 || 0 || {{ru|CAN}} || {{flagicon|WAL}} Colwyn Bay || 09/11/2012 |- | rowspan="7" | '''5''' || Tupo Fa'amasino || Wing || 12 || '''3''' || 0 || 0 || 0 || {{ru|KOR}} || {{flagicon|JPN}} Tokyo || 08/04/1990 |- | Brian Lima || Centre || 12 || '''3''' || 0 || 0 || 0 || {{ru|FJI}} || {{flagicon|SAM}} Apia || 01/06/1991 |- | Afato So'oalo || Wing || 15 || '''3''' || 0 || 0 || 0 || {{ru|TGA}} || {{flagicon|SAM}} Apia || 28/06/1997 |- | Dominic Feau'nati || Wing || 15 || '''3''' || 0 || 0 || 0 || {{ru|NAM}} || {{flagicon|NAM}} Windhoek || 12/07/2003 |- | Mikaele Pesamino || Wing || 15 || '''3''' || 0 || 0 || 0 || {{ru|PNG}} || {{flagicon|PNG}} Port Moresby || 18/07/2009 |- | Alesana Tuilagi || Wing || 15 || '''3''' || 0 || 0 || 0 || {{ru|NAM}} || {{flagicon|NZL}} Rotorua || 14/09/2011 |- | Ed Fidow || Wing || 15 || '''3''' || 0 || 0 || 0 || {{ru|GER}} || {{flagicon|SAM}} Apia || 30/06/2018 |}

Last updated: United States vs Samoa, 21 September 2024. Statistics include officially capped matches only.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stats.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/records/player/most_tries_match.html?id=15;type=team |title = Rugby Teams, Scores, Stats, News, Fixtures, Results, Tables - ESPN}}</ref>

==Coaches== ==Current Coaches== *{{flagicon|SAM}} Tusi Pisi (Head Coach) *{{flagicon|SAM}} Kane Thompson (Lineout and Skills) *{{flagicon|SAM}} Census Johnston (Scrum and Forwards) *{{flagicon|NZL}} Tai Lavea (Defence)

==Coaching History== {| class="wikitable" |- !Period !Name !Nationality |- | 197?–19?? | Keli Tuatagaloa | {{SAM}} |- | 198?–198? | Paul Wallwork | {{SAM}} |- | 198?–1988 | Richard Cook | {{NZL}} |- | 1989–1995 | Peter Schuster | {{SAM}} |- |1996–1999 | Bryan Williams | {{NZL}} |- |2000–2003 | John Boe | {{NZL}} |- |2004–2007 | Michael Jones | {{NZL}} |- |2008–2009 | Niko Palamo | {{SAM}} |- |2009–2011 | Titimaea Tafua | {{SAM}} |- |2011 | Scott Wisemantel | {{AUS}} |- |2012–2015 | Stephen Betham | {{SAM}} |- | 2016–2017 | Alama Ieremia | {{NZL}} |- |2017–2018 | Titimaea Tafua | {{SAM}} |- |2018–2020 | Steve Jackson | {{NZL}} |- |2020–2023 | Seilala Mapusua | {{SAM}} |- |2024–2025 | Mahonri Schwalger | {{SAM}} |- |2025–present | Tusi Pisi | {{SAM}} |- |}

==New Zealand connection== {{more citations needed section|date=November 2016}} Western Samoa's triumph in the 1991 Rugby World Cup was inspired by their assistant coach Bryan Williams,{{citation needed|date=November 2016}} who was a New Zealand-born (of Samoan descent) All Black great of the 1970s. The 1991 Samoan World Cup team included many New Zealand born or raised players; the catalyst was Auckland prop Peter Fatialofa, who in 1989, became the first major New Zealand-based player to play for Samoa. By the time of the 1991 World Cup several other New Zealand-born Samoans like Pat Lam, Stephen Bachop, Frank Bunce and Apollo Perelini had joined him. New Zealand born players with Samoan parentage have played for Samoa, such as Earl Va'a, Pat Lam and Lome Fa'atau.

The rugby relationship that exists between New Zealand and Samoa is a complex one. Close ties exist between the two countries, these bonds first being formed with the start of mass Polynesian migration to New Zealand in the latter half of the twentieth century. At the 2007 World Cup, there were 14 New Zealand-born players in the Samoan squad.<ref name="BornAbroad">{{cite web|url=http://worldcup.planet-rugby.com/Story/0,21043,13089_2760268,00.html |title=All those born abroad |publisher=Planet Rugby |access-date=2 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011082114/http://worldcup.planet-rugby.com/Story/0,21043,13089_2760268,00.html |archive-date=11 October 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The only team with more foreign born players in their squad was Italy who had 15.<ref name="BornAbroad"/>

==Strips== {{Commons|Samoa national rugby union team kits}} Manu Samoa play in blue and white uniforms, with the home strip consisting of blue jerseys, white shorts and blue socks and the away kit being with the colours reversed. Since 2007, the flag of Samoa has been featured on the left sleeve and pe'a-like patterns were incorporated into the jerseys. Sponsored logos appear on jerseys for matches other than the Rugby World Cup, where branding, except for equipment manufacturers, is not allowed.

{| class="wikitable" |- !Period !Kit manufacturer !Shirt sponsor |- |1986–1988 | Umbro |rowspan="2"|No shirt sponsor |- |1988–1992 |rowspan="3"| Canterbury |- |1992–1994 | Telecom New Zealand |- |1994–1996 |rowspan="2"| Vailima |- |1996–1998 |rowspan="2"| Reebok |- |1998 |rowspan="2"| Newcall |- |1999 |rowspan="2"| Adidas |- |1999–2003 |rowspan="2"|No shirt sponsor |- |2004–2005 |rowspan="2"| Puma |- |2005–2009 |rowspan="2"| Samoa International Finance Authority |- |2010–2011 | KooGa |- |2012–2013 |BLK |Digicel |- |2014–2015 | Canterbury{{note|canterbury|b}} |rowspan="2"|Cromwell Property Group (front), Redefine Properties (back) |- |2015 |rowspan="2"|BLK |- |2016 |rowspan="2"|Bluesky Communications |- |2016–2017 | rowspan="2"| LE Sportswear |- |2017 | Magnum Hire (front),{{note|2017sponsors|c}} Henderson Cars (back) {{note|2017sponsors|c}} Invest Samoa {{note|2017sponsors|d}} |- |2018–2021 |BLK |Grey Investment Group |- |2021 |Dynasty Sport{{note|2021sponsors|e}} | |- |2021-2022 | rowspan="2" |Castore |Grey Investment Group |- |2022 |Aramis Rugby (front) Samoa IBFC (back) |- |2023-2024 |Macron | |- |2024- |Samurai Sportswear | |- |colspan="3" | {{note|canterbury|b}} Canterbury brand apparel was supplied for the 2014 end-of-year tour. {{note|2017sponsors|c}} Sponsors worn during the Pasifika Challenge double-header. {{note|2017sponsors|d}} Invest Samoa sponsored Samoa during the 2017 end-of-year rugby union tests. {{note|2021sponsors|e}}Lakapi Samoa partners with Dynasty Sport and reveals Jersey for the June-July 2021 Test Series. |- |}

==Notes== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{commons cat}} * [https://urbantechsamoa.com/manusamoa/ Manu Samoa] * {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20080605021259/http://www.samoarugbyunion.ws/ Samoa Rugby Union]}} * [https://lemanusamoa.blogspot.com/ Manu Samoa Looking Forward For RWC2011] Manu Samoa Rugby blog * [https://web.archive.org/web/20050311155548/http://www.planet-rugby.com/Teams/Samoa/index.shtml Samoan rugby union news] ''Planet Rugby'' * {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/19991008084049/http://www.manusamoa.net/ The information website for supporters of the Manu Samoa Rugby Team]}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20110810042746/http://www.irb.com/rankings/full.html Rankings] International Rugby Board * [http://www.pacificislanders.co.nz Pacific Islanders Rugby Team Supporters Site]

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