Reds Coach Remembers Old Foe

Written by:  Filo Taituuga

The last time Tau’uta Reds Coach Fuka Kitekeia’ho visited Samoa was 29 years ago.
The former fleet-footed midfielder toured Samoa in 1980 with the Tongan Ikale Tahi rugby side to play Samoa in a one-off test match.

“I remember well marking Taufusi Salesa out in the centres, and boy was he very quick on his feet that gentlemen,’ he remembers fondly.

“I must admit I did well to hold onto him (Taufusi) that day but he was class.”

Fuka recalls Ikale Tahi winning the one-off test match, and remembers it was a tough clash.

Fuka says he is looking forward to the opportunity to once again meet with his old foe, so to speak, and admits it has been long time in between drinks.

“It would be very nice to catch up with Taufusi after all these years and I look forward to it.”

“The last time I came to Samoa was in 1980, there have certainly been remarkable changes since then,” he said in hindsight.    For the mean time Fuka says preparing his players ahead of Friday nights show down against Savaii Samoa at Apia Park Stadium will take precedence.