Decision hurts, says Fuimaono

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 31 August 2018, 12:00AM

“It hurts. The decision is hard to bear and at the moment I am unclear if I will re-apply or not.” 

These were the words uttered by outgoing Manu Samoa Head Coach, Fuimaono Titimaea Tafua yesterday, breaking his silence over the Samoa Rugby Union’s decision to re-advertise his position.

Fuimaono took over from Namulauulu Alama in November 2017 with the difficult task of ensuring Manu Samoa qualified for the 2019 Rugby World Cup (R.W.C.) with matches against Germany in July this year. 

And now that the team has qualified, Fuimaono told the Samoa Observer in an exclusive interview that he is unsure what he would do.

 “At the moment it’s unclear whether I will re-apply for the position or not. I am still debating, because what was done hurts; it hurts,” said Fuimaono. 

“What happened has an impact on my family and those who are supportive of the team. 

“This also has an impact on the World Cup 2019 campaign, with the players that have already been undergoing training. 

“The players have been preparing for the World Cup 2019 campaign; they have reached out to me confused when they learned of what has happened. 

“They are puzzled with the decision, given that we already secured our slot in the World Cup and so the decision sends a confusing message not only to the players but the supporters,” said Fuimaono. 

“I also urged the players not to let this distract them from their preparations and allow the process to go through and until such a time a coach is selected, they should be able to work with that coach with the same aim to be successful.” 

The outgoing head coach indicated the decision is hard to take in and so, there is a need for deliberation and “lots of meditation if I am to consider re-applying again,” he said.

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 31 August 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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