Be glad you’re not a Samoan rugby player
Later the prime minister was calmer and predicted a Samoa win over Germany, who have ‘no knowledge whatsoever’ about rugby
Wellington — Samoa’s prime minister has fired stinging criticism at the national rugby union team, saying they "have no guts", while also rubbishing Germany ahead of their crunch Rugby World Cup qualifier in Apia on Saturday. After a disappointing run of defeats, Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi turned up at training and told the players if they should quit if they can’t beat Germany, the Samoa Observer reported Monday. "You played 10 games and you lost in all of those 10 games, so what does that tell me? ‘You have no guts.’ That is what I said to them," Malielegaoi said. "I said, if you don’t win this game then you all have to resign from the team." The prime minister further insulted the players by telling them they keep dropping the ball because they are "afraid". Samoa need to beat Germany on aggregate at home this weekend and away two weeks later to complete Pool A at next year’s World Cup, which already includes Ireland, Russia, Scotland and hosts Japan. Later, duri...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.