Rugby: Samoans open new path to rep arena

KEY TRIO: Vai Kereti (left), coach Tivaini Fomai and Pouvi Fatialofa are eagerly awaiting the start of the HB Samoan team's campaign on September 3. PHOTO/Duncan Brown

It's fair to say Pouvi Fatialofa and Vai Kereti have been short-changed when it comes to Hawke's Bay representative rugby selection in recent seasons.

Former Samoan A midfield back Kereti, 29, hasn't made the Hawke's Bay Saracens team during his three seasons in the Bay to date and openside flanker Fatialofa, 33, has only had a brief taste of Saracens play during his 10 seasons in the Bay. He must be considered unlucky not to have gained first-class honours with the Magpies.

"They're not the only Samoans to be hard done by. Look at Migao [Lauano], who is another. That's one of the reasons we've got the Hawke's Bay Samoans team up and running ... so our players get more exposure and push their case for Saracens and Magpies selection in the future," Hawke's Bay Samoans coach and former Magpies loosie and hooker, Tivaini Fomai said.

"We don't interfere with the Saracens or Magpies programmes. Those teams as well as the Hawke's Bay under-19s have first pick at our players and we have those who are left," Fomai said.

A member of the 2012 Samoan team, Fomai, 30, played three games on a Northern Hemisphere tour. He played 16 first-class games for the Magpies from 2006 until 2014 and turned to coaching last year after retiring from playing when he decided to donate one of his kidneys to his mother, Epenesa.

Fomai is confident the Hawke's Bay Samoan team will be competitive, as are Kereti and Fatialofa. A former Samoan league representative, Kereti has played for the Central Vipers for the past two seasons but has decided to make Fomai's team his priority this year.

"It will be good to have a change from league and play with the brothers. I think I will have another three or four seasons left at this level," Kereti, who hails from the Moamoa village, said.

Fatialofa left the Lefaga village in Apia to come to the Bay. He said if his body allowed it, he would give Fomai and Co two seasons.

Fomai is coaching the team as part of a project he is doing for his EIT Sport and Recreation course. He said the first outing against the Wellington Samoans on September 3 will give his players an early gauge of their ability.

"The Wellington Samoans don't play in our Central Region High Commission competition because they play in the Hurricanes Development comp. However, we hope to play them in an annual home and away fixture from now on."

Fomai's troops will open their Central Region High Commission competition with an away game against Horowhenua Kapiti Samoans, the comp's 2014 and 2015 winners, on September 24. They will have another away fixture against Whanganui Samoans on October 1 before hosting Manawatu Samoans on October 8.

The competition final is scheduled for October 15.

"I remember playing for a couple of games with a Hawke's Bay Samoan team 15 years ago. Getting the team up and running again and playing in regular competition fixtures has been my dream since then," Fomai explained.

Such dreams require funding and Fomai is grateful for the sponsorship provided from Horny Goat Ltd, Cape Physio, Hawke's Bay District Health Board, Hikoi for Life and HRV.

-Hawke's Bay Samoans: Dennis Tapusua, Leslie Setu, Vita Tomoana, Pouvi Fatialofa, Johnny Lauano, Setu Kereti, Timo Vaiusu, Ausage Fomai, Vai Kereti, Jason Kereti, Vasa Taivale, Willie Schuster, Filemoni Asolua, Paula Latu, Leafi Tupuola, Afano Asolua, Amiga Mikaele, Mika Mika, Misi Pati, Faamanatu Kaisala, Sakigi Mika, Kome Palaamo, Migao Lauano.

Coach: Tivaini Fomai.

Conditioning coach: Villi Malatai.

Managers: Narley Malaitai and Nathan Pulega.

Matai (chief): Atomika Aiolupo.