Busy Inaugural Old Timers Day for Wellington Samoa

By Geoffrey Fepuleai

 

 

 

 

The first weekend of Spring saw the inaugural Old timers’ day for the Wellington Rugby Union kickoff a day of festivities. Samoan music echoed throughout the field as well as a sausage sizzle and meals was on site to feed the many supports who had gathered to watch an entertaining day of rugby.  Union merchandise such as training tops, polo shirts were available for purchase, a raffle prize of a signed Manu Samoa jersey also being up for grabs during the rugby.

The festivities began with the final trial of the U18 schoolboy team leading the way with two trial teams of the next generation of Samoan stars vying for the opportunity to confirm their spots in the last trial before the selection of the team Sunday night. You can find the selected players here.

The trial was followed by an blockbusting encounter between the Mens Senior team of Wellington Samoa against Hawke’s Bay Samoa. With Wellington Samoa coming out on top with a 40-24 victory to celebrate a wonderful Old timers’ day. Match report here.

In attendance was the Club Patron Leasi Tommy Scanlan, along with WSRU president Toomata Frank Collins to commemorate the first Old Timers’ Day of Wellington Samoa Rugby Union’s short history.

Chairman Tunumafono Ken Ah Kuoi adds ‘It was a great day of celebration for our union on Saturday. Today was aimed at recognising our past players and committee members, It was great to see some of the founding fathers of Wellington Samoa rugby to come watch and enjoy time with the new’

‘The Result of today is not important, its the participation and growing of the game and providing representative opportunity to play in a higher level’

In his aftermatch speech Tunumafono hopes to see more union battles with other Samoan unions throughout New Zealand. ‘The Union will continue to organise more events like this in the future, we are looking to create a 3 day tournament with other Samoan unions to celebrate Samoan Rugby in New Zealand, but also showcase Samoan talent’

WSRU would like to send a big fa’afetai and fa’amalo to all the supporters and volunteers who participated in helping create a wonderful occasion for our inaugural Old Timers’ Day.