Twenty rugby teams from districts all over Samoa went head to head in the two-day annual Prime Minister’s Cup competition for U14 Rugby Boys at Marist St. Joseph’s rugby fields in Lotopa. 

The rugby 7s competition, which has been on hold since the COVID-19 epidemic, was well and truly alive as its two-day tournament kickstarted on Wednesday.

Assistant Chief Executive Officer in the sports division of the Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture, Tafāese Spencer Tāutu said part of organising this year’s tournament was harder due to the ripple effect of COVID-19.

“Last year, we were trying to inform other schools to just do their own tournaments instead of champs of champs, so this year we started to organise the champs of champs,” said Tafāese.

Tafāese said that the aim behind this competition is for students to represent Samoa in the national sevens team.

“We’re trying to do this to improve the skills and the talents of the students,” said Tafāese.

Tafāese said all teams funded themselves for the competition. 

The captain of the district of Anoama’a, team two,  Ma’alāelu Leilua, said he hopes to represent the Samoa 7s when he grows up. 

“I’m happy to be here and to be representing my district,” said Leilua.

Leilua, who is the prop for his team, said that part of the reason he made it this far is that he constantly trained due to how passionate he is about the sport.

Another student, TJ Toe, from the district of Itu o Tane, team one, arrived with his teammates on Monday from Savai’i and is currently staying at Vaimusu for the competition. 

Toe is a fullback for his team and said he enjoys playing rugby sevens as it makes him happy.

“I see myself as a rugby player for the Manu Samoa 7s team in the future,” said Toe. 

The competition is hosted by Lakapi Samoa and Samoa Primary Schools Principals who are in partnership with the Ministry of Education Sports and Culture, whose aim is to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate skills and to enable them to experience quality rugby.