Upolu Ready for Tautahi

Written By:  Filo Taituuga

Upolu Samoa Pacific Rugby Cup will open their PRC campaign against current PRC champions Tautahi Gold this Saturday in Tonga.

Tautahi upset Upolu in last year’s PRC Final played in Samoa.

Memories of that loss are still vivid, and that should be enough motivation alone for Upolu to deliver a blinder.

Upolu departs for Tonga tomorrow confident in their build up and pre-match preparations.   

Head Coach Fepuleai Selefuti Patu is adamant he is ‘not taking any passengers,’ and the boys are focussed on the job at hand.

Fepuleai says they have lost the services of a number of key players from last year’s squad but still retain a handful of experienced heads this year.

“There are five players in this  squad from last year's team, we’ve lost a lot of key players from last year’s team, but we have a good mix of new players we’ve picked, We believe can do the job.”

“Our preparations have been very good. Our main concern at the moment is several of our inside backs have incurred niggling injuries.”

“We will know by Monday (yesterday) how they are getting on, other than that everything is going good.”

Fepuleai is confident in the players he has assembled, and believes they have recruited a balanced and mixed side that will be highly competitive.  For the moment he is keeping his cards close to his chest, but knows the next five weeks will be the telling test.

“I told our players this year’s team has changed from last year’s side, so it is a new start for us all. We will not be taking any passengers.”

Fepuleai is under no illusions the road ahead will be tough, let alone their first up game, and he’s made his players well aware of that fact.

Fepuleai and his coaching staff have exhausted all the resources available to them to ensure their players are 100% prepared mentally and physically. 

 “We are expecting a very tough game against Tautahi. It will be Tautahi’s opening PRC game in front of their home crowd at home in Tonga.”

“We have two outside players in the Upolu squad that have been selected from the Tri-Nation Series.”

“At the moment we are assessing their fitness levels and giving them time to adapt and acclimatize to the heat and conditions.”

Fepuleai says the recent visit of All Black Scrum coach Mike Cron was beneficial to his front rowers and to Samoa overall.

“Having Mike in Samoa working alongside our young players was very worthwhile and invaluable.”

“For our forwards there is plenty of room for improvement and so much to learn,” he said.

“We’ve been training twice a day over the last few weeks, we have a morning session and an afternoon run,” said Upolu first five, Roger Warren.

 “The mood in camp has been very positive and the boys are gelling together really well.”

NZ Samoa lock Finauga Segi is relishing the experience with Upolu Samoa and says the whole set-up is thoroughly professional and he is itching to put things together on the pitch.

“I’m excited at the prospect of playing for Upolu and to be back at home again. It’s a real honour and privilege to play PRC rugby.”          

Upolu Samoa is again coached by Fepuleai Selefuti Patu, with Leu Fesolai as his Assistant. Ryan Schuster is the Manager of the side.