Samoan prop Kas Lealamanua (L) fends of the tackle from England's captain Martin Johnson in the Rugby World Cup pool C match between England and Samoa at the Telstra Dome in Melbourne 26 October 2003. Photo: Getty Images
‘’The big dream is for me is just this team fulfilling their potential that has been talked about for so many years.’’
In Fiji for the Pacific Nations Cup, Vaovasamanaia Seilala Mapasua, head coach of Manu Samoa, says he wants to take his team on a journey:
But series host, James Nokise, gets emotional about the realities the team face:
‘If it's 2022 and that's as good as a country like Samoa can expect, what are we doing?’’
Back in Samoa, we hear from kids at a school tournament who know the score.
‘’We don’t get the resources the big nations get, so we can prepare ourselves’’’
Samoan Rugby legend, Va'aiga Lealuga Tuigamala Pulelua Fesola'i aka Inga the Winger and Dan Leo of Pacific Rugby Players Welfare Photo: RNZ
But it’s obvious this inequality has become so embedded in the system that it is now considered normal. Former Samoa captain and head of Pacific Rugby Players Welfare Dan Leo is determined to ask hard questions about the way Pacific players are seen:
‘’Where is that line drawn between opportunity and exploitation?’’
There are stark choices to be made: as Kasiano Lealamanua, another of John’s former teammates and now the only registered Pasifika player agent in New Zealand, puts it:
‘’Sometimes they have to choose between representing their country or not being paid. As PI people, a paycheck for us isn't just for us. You know, we're feeding not only a family, but we could be supporting multiple people in that village …’’
Photo:
Available from February 9th on Apple podcasts, iHeart, Spotify, PMN and at RNZ.co.nz.
Fair Game: Pacific Rugby Against the World is made with the support of New Zealand on Air.
Written and produced by James Nokise, Talei Anderson and John Daniell for Bird of Paradise Productions, Radio New Zealand and Pacific Media Network
Language programme director - Matt Tufuga
Executive producers for RNZ - Justin Gregory, Katy Gosset and Tim Watkin
Sound engineers - Rangi Powick, Alex Harmer and Jeremy Ansell for RNZ, Harrison Edwards at PMN
Music and sound design - Anonymouz (Faiumu Matthew Salapu)
Visuals: Manatoa Productions, Anonymouz and Krista Barnaby (RNZ)
Additional reporting by Lice Movono
Additional sound recorded by Rudy Bartley at WT Media in Samoa
Special thanks to Don Mann, Lui Vilisoni, Lagipoiva Cherelle Jackson, Jodhi Hoani, Josie Campbell,
Elijah Fa’afiu and Inangaro Vakaafi
RNZ Commissioning - Jodhi Hoani, Tim Burnell
RNZ Acting Head of Content - Veronica Schmidt
RNZ Interim Chief Content Officer - Megan Whelan
