Lest we forget. Every year on ANZAC Day, there is a dawn parade through the town to the clock tower. This is done to remember the fallen heroes who donned the uniform to fight against tyranny and for world peace.

Those were soldiers who fought in wars so their children could live in a world full of peace. Similarly, every year, a bunch of soldiers don the blue jersey. They are armed with island skills and the comradery of their brothers on the rugby paddock.

They fight in a different kind of war. Yet they fight under the same banner, the same flag and for national pride. There were times when these players paid their way to Samoa and all the international matches because the union was poor and could not bear the cost of travel.

There were times when some of these players used their professional qualifications to help the union out. For example, the lawyers in the team who stood for the union in front of the disciplinary tribunals. Former players put their bodies on the line during times when the rules were different and injuries sustained far worse than today.

They did not ask questions or whine when in camp. They did not protest when the only food was taro and corned beef. They played with their heart and soul and did not expect any financial rewards in return. These are the players who played for the nation, for the flag and the blue jersey.

When a few feel they have been wronged because they have not been invited to the centennial celebrations or their names were not added to the list of honours is justifiable. They have all the right to be angry. They have all the right to question why their service to the nation is not being remembered.

Some of the players not invited have been influential and household names during their playing careers. It is not hard to understand their frustration.

Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu posted a TikTok video saying the ceremony was a disappointment. He mentioned in his video some of the players who have not received the recognition they deserved after they served the nation through Manu Samoa.

"I was named with no number or cap on the night after the caps were presented. I'm not on the written list you guys published. No name. No number. No cap. Others weren't named on the night or the list. Video public for all to use so feel free to help yourself. The list is the main source because the union has a long history of saying one thing but doing the other," in response to Samoa Observer seeking permission to use his video for the article.

Alafoti Faosiliva also posted on his social media how he wished he was invited to the 100-year celebration saying that he might've been playing for Arab.

"A’o se valaaulia foi gei 100 kausaga! Ia ai se au ale ‘au Alapi ga kaku’i ai gei maso. Leaga e fia loko akuguu fua"

The list was published in the Samoa Observer on 27 August with 651 members being named. Unfortunately, there were somehow a lot of former players missing from the list.

Relatives of one of the oldest surviving members of the Manu Samoa, Chris Roosda Muagututi'a said that his father was never contacted about the ceremony.

"My dad is one of the two oldest surviving Samoa Rugby players from the 1960 Samoa team who played the first New Zealand Maori team that toured the Pacific," he said.

"My dad was captain alongside the oldest survivor Lance Eves. My dad is Sagapolutele Christopher Pulusila Meafou Muagututi'a Moevasa II who is 90 years old and Lance Eves 92 years. Pretty sure no one has contacted my dad."

It was also sad to see the former Manu Samoa head coach Vaovasamanaia Seilala Mapusua not being capped or given any mention during the ceremony on Wednesday night. The man was in the crowd and came to support his teammates and players he had mentored. This man is a Samoa rugby legend and for him not to be on the honours list is not funny.

Perhaps Lakapi Samoa has a justifiable explanation. Perhaps there were too many names and the people responsible for the logistics had an oversight. But if these players were left out because of vindication or any other agenda then the whole purpose of the centennial celebration has been tarnished.

For rugby are the people who play it. A hooligan's game played by gentlemen. The people have made the game popular and they have to be remembered. From the best player to the worst. From the coach to the water boy.

There is still time and Lakapi Samoa can get it right.