Samoans aim high

Press, 31 March 1989, Page 27

Samoans aim high

NZPA Hong Kong Western Samoa, convinced that an unspotted infringement cost them the Sydney Sevens rugby final last Sunday, is aiming to go one better in Hong Kong, the manager, Marina Schaafhausen, says.

The Western Samoa team has been the subject of increased media attention after its upset 23-18 semi-final win over Fiji and its gallant 26-16 loss to New Zealand in the final in Sydney. The defeat by New Zealand came after the Western Samoans, starting as underdog, -pulled out to a surprise lead at half-time. "In the final we were leading 10-4 at half-time but then conceded a try when we didn’t think the ball travelled 10m from the kickoff," Mrs Schaafhausen said.

“That changed the game and the result.

"We may have lost on the field but we won in our hearts. I can’t say we will go one better in Hong Kong — just that we will give it our best shot."

Mrs Schaafhausen, dubbed “the Iron Lady” by the Australian media, is a 52-year-old grandmother and a mother of nine children. An executive member of the Western Samoan Rugby Union, she is the first female manager in the Hong Kong tournament’s 14-year history. Giving it their best shot in training this week were two players, the captain, Taufusi Salesa, and Lolani Koko, who were members of the South Sea Barbarians team which toured South Africa in 1987.