Fatialofa, Peter

Fatialofa, Peter
▪ 1994

      On July 31, 1993, Western Samoa played an official rugby union international match against New Zealand. The contest, at Eden Park in Auckland, was the culmination of the gradual rise of the Pacific island team from comparative obscurity to a place alongside the major rugby union-playing nations. Captain and star of the team was Peter Fatialofa.

      Like their counterparts in Fiji and Tonga, Samoans began rugby union play in the 1920s and quickly took to the physical, confrontational aspects of the game. But progress was spasmodic and depended a great deal on the interaction with New Zealand, traditionally one of the game's great powers. In the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987, Fiji and Tonga both qualified for the tournament, but Western Samoa did not. Consequently, Samoans put considerable effort into preparation for the 1991 tournament. It involved "calling home" players such as Fatialofa, who, though born in Apia, the Samoan capital, on April 26, 1959, had spent much of his life in Auckland. He had played club rugby for Ponsonby and, over an eight-year period, 72 games for Auckland, which became during that period one of the great provincial teams in world rugby.

      Fatialofa—Peter Fats, as he was known—first played for Western Samoa on its 1988 tour to Wales and Ireland. A 120-kg (265-lb) furniture mover whose specialty was pianos, he proved a powerful scrummager and a formidable opponent with the ball in hand. He was appointed captain of the team in 1989 and led the country through the qualifying rounds and into the 1991 World Cup, played in Britain and France. It was then that Samoan rugby won the recognition it craved; by beating Wales and Argentina and losing only to Australia (the eventual cup winners), Fatialofa and his team qualified for the quarterfinals, where they lost to Scotland.

      That tournament paved the way for Western Samoa's first international competition with New Zealand, which represented a coming-of-age for the islanders. Fatialofa captained the team in the prestigious South Pacific provincial tournament and then during the nine-match tour to New Zealand that culminated in the game at Eden Park. Although Western Samoa lost 35-13, its play on tour was generally recognized as bringing qualities of excitement and adventure to New Zealand rugby. (DAVID HANDS)

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Samoa national rugby union team — Samoa Union Samoan Rugby Union Nickname(s) Manu Samoa Emblem(s) the Southern Cross Coach(es) …   Wikipedia

  • New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame — The New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame is an organisation commemorating New Zealand s greatest sporting triumphs. It was inaugurated as part of the New Zealand sesquicentenary celebrations in 1990. Some 160 members have been inducted into the Hall… …   Wikipedia

  • 1995 Rugby World Cup squads — This article lists the official squads for the 1995 Rugby World Cup in South Africa. Pool Aru|AUSHead Coach: Bob Dwyer# Matt Pini (Fullback) # Matt Burke (Fullback/utility back) # Daniel Herbert (Centre) # Jason Little (Centre) # Tim Horan… …   Wikipedia

  • Équipes de la coupe du monde de rugby à XV 1995 — Cet article donne la composition des équipes qui disputent la coupe du monde de rugby à XV 1995 en Afrique du Sud du 25 mai au 24 juin 1995.. Seize nations ont participé à cette phase finale. Équipes participant à la coupe du monde 1995 …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Counties Manukau Rugby Union — Nickname(s) Steelers Founded 1955 Region Chiefs Ground(s) Growers St …   Wikipedia

  • Upolu Samoa — is a rugby union team controlled by the Samoa Rugby Union. It is one of the two Samoa rugby union teams participating in the Pacific Rugby Cup, the other being Savaii Samoa. Upolu Samoa is selected from all rugby union tournaments that took place …   Wikipedia

  • Sport in Samoa — The main sports played in Samoa are rugby union and Samoan cricket. Rugby unionRugby union is very popular in Samoa and the national team nicknamed the Manu Samoa, is consistently competitive against teams from vastly more populous nations. The… …   Wikipedia

  • DJ Forbes — Full name Derek Jamie Forbes Date of birth 15 December 1982 (1982 12 15) (age 28) Place of birth Auckland, New Zealand Height 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in) Weight 103 kg (230 lb) …   Wikipedia

  • Matt Salter — Personal information Full name Matthew Salter Date of birth 2 December 1976 (1976 12 02) (age 34) Place of birth Greenwich, London, England Height 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) Weight 16 st 5 lbs (104 kg) …   Wikipedia

  • Bristol Shoguns — Bristol Rugby Bristol Rugby Généralités Nom complet …   Wikipédia en Français

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”