Letter lacks in depth knowledge

Dear Editor,

Re: Time for some accountability in terms of our rugby results

Neat piece of writing...it sounds and looks clever but really lacks in-depth knowledge of the issues raised.

The Sevens teams from NZ, Australia, England etc are predominantly made up of players that are not even regarded as top level players, they are around 3rd level and downwards and yet still gave our boys a hard time back then. 

Imagine if their 7’s team was picked from first choice Super Rugby players? Manu Samoa had a majority local picked team that played against the All Blacks in 2008 and the AB’s gave them a 101 point hiding.

The U20’s is a different story, we can do very well there and once the Super Rugby Teams sees raw talent that interests them, then boom, contract signed and off they go to play Super Rugby and potentially for the AB’s.

Apart from playing for the greatest rugby team in the world, also the opportunity to care for their families financially and their future is a lot more important. 

That is a trait that majority of people living in Samoa and working in any profession takes. 

Of course Manu Samoa did well when Fuimaono Dickie Tafua was the coach but did you also know the likes of Aussie McLean and Tom Coventry that were behind that team as well? 

Two well renowned successful coaches here in NZ and by the way Aussie McLean is in fact an Australian. The one thing I would recommend to the Board and Management of the Samoa Rugby Union is to invest in local coaches to be taught in NZ like those apprentice types. 

Tag along the Super Rugby coaches and learn from them. Invest in coaches to get overseas exposure and knowledge then go back and apply it locally. 

The local coaches cannot even compare to the Super Rugby coaches. 

We will always struggle against the AB’s, England etc because of the significant world-class top level of rugby played in those countries. 

And to be fair on the coaches as well, it’s not always their fault. Greatness is something that cannot be taught. Now go figure!

 

Lumanai Richard 

Samoa Observer

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