Samoan PM blasts officials from Scotland game

http://www.scotsman.com/sport/rugby/top-rugby-stories/samoan-pm-attacks-idiots-in-charge-of-scotland-test-1-2392639

The Samoans love a bit of controversy don't they??

“There is still an attitude of racial discrimination which exists in these guys’ mentality because of the high standard of rugby Manu Samoa has achieved and can defeat top teams like this,”

“They think they know everything and then they send idiots to officiate an important game and one of them tries to convince us in broad daylight in our own country that the ball carrier had stepped out of the field with the ball when we can all see that he left the ball in the field before he was pushed outside the field.”

“If the siren sounds and the referee continues the match unnecessarily, then a rock hitting his head would be justified.”

As for the in touch incident well I didn't see it because the camera was focused on the player heading towards the tryline, and there were no replays.

It's a shame that this has come out from what was a positive tour - can't think it helps the reputation of Samoan rugby either if they are constantly in the press for controversial claims of racism and dishonesty towards officials.

Yeah, I read something on this a few weeks ago, didn't pay too much attention to it though.

Haven't seen the match so can't comment on it.

Interestingly he is the head of the Samoan rugby union as well so the IRB can probably sanction him for it - if he was just the PM they couldn't really do much about it.

Long may Samoa stay as a lower tier country if that's the attitude their head of Rugby displays.

Learn from your lose, don't just moan like a scrub about the officials. Serves no purpose at all, and you look petulant.

Grats to Scotland again on the win.

Am all for rugby expanding globally but there is one little part of the globe I hope it stagnates. Sick of their whining about racism when they lose, the stupid threats that accompany each loss & their obsession with proving how manly they are with high tackles. "High standard of rugby Manu Samoa has achieved" - at least he's got a sense of humour.

And as for the hooter sounding early - I'm sure the ref's watch is much more accurate than some guy sitting in the stands!

Well, impossible to say if the foot was is touch, but agree that it seems there is an impulse to play the race card, which leaves an unplesant taste.

Is very similar to us Scots playing the down trodden nation act, when it is time for people to accept fate is in our hands and sometimes you lose

I honestly wouldn't worry about this too much - storm in a

"rock hitting his head " is probably the most over the top thing hardly going to encourage future tours if the head of the government can say that kind of thing , otherwise he sounds like any one-eyed supporter after six pints in the clubhouse.

or an off white spooky thing on a forum

Riskysports wrote:or an off white spooky thing on a forum

Brown spectre?

RDW_Scotland wrote:And as for the hooter sounding early - I'm sure the ref's watch is much more accurate than some guy sitting in the stands!

Nah, for a while I reffed for the London Society. at a function I was speaking to a former Int referee (Welsh) and said the thing that I was finding most difficult was remembering to stop the watch, and then restart it. He told me it was something he had done a few times a season and not to worry as everyone did it.

whenever a decision goes against them they cry out racial discrimination.

Things like this make Samoa a thoroughly unlikable team.

No doubt they will claim again in the future that they are victims of racism where as the reality is that people just don't like feckin' eejits.

There is a way to complain about referees. I think we would all feel a lot differently if this man made a statement which read "The Rugby Union of Manu Samoa has today launched a formal referee complaint to the IRB against the match officials in Samoa v Scotland. Rugby is a professional game and we must all work to the highest standards - players, coaches and referees included. It is our belief that the referee's performance fell short and that he did not approach the game with the correct mentality which did not do justice to the hard work and preparation put in by both teams. The Samoan Rugby Football Union will not be accepting any questions or making further comments on this matter. This is now in the hands of the IRB"

Instead he came out with over the top reactionary statements and did his country a massive disservice.

Idiot!

Racial comments in such a public manner are bad for everyone. Its too easy to go there if one feels offended in some way. And its too easy to ignore and dismiss if another appears to have benefitted. A lose-lose no matter who makes the comment. Obviously, we all know racial nonsense clearly exists, but to take the easy path and go the racial route is bad. Especially in a PM or anyone in an official capacity.

I find the rock throw comments worse,though. It seems this gent is actually sanctioning crowd violence. That comment is completely unacceptable. No other words.

Wow, fancy a job at the RFU Staggy!

These guys moan more than the Irish

munkian wrote:These guys moan more than the Irish

You must be the London Irish in Reading cos I know you ain't dissing us Irish!!

<trashtalkover>

They make more excuses than us welsh anyway

What a clown. Worrying that this bloke runs the country.

That's clownist FES!

Hate clowns. Can't stand them. To my mind, a rock hitting a clowns head is justified. There, I said it.

Now, can I run the country??

Ba hahahahahaah, You get my vote!

Excellent. Looking to start my own anti-clown spring.

I thought you guys were fond of old PDV?

Wow, I wonder if he is related to EFS? Not a good PR move there. Maybe he had 6 pints in the clubhouse before venting his feelings.

Got to say it doesn't tie up with the Samoans I've bet previously, ok I've only met two or three but they are really decent humble guys. I guess there's always one guy who takes it to far in whichever country. Unfortunatly for Samoa he seems to have ended up in a position of authority.

Yep, that's two Samoan's now that have gone on about racism. We must now hate all of Samoan rugby. Let's get them kicked out of international rugby!

Christ get a grip. It's one guy who is saying stupid things. I know for sure 'Dave' Cameron doesn't represent me. And nor does the head of the RFU or Prince Harry or whoever.

Thunor,

Nor should anyone hold you personally accountable for what the prime minister said.

However the Samoan RFU are accountable for what the head of the Samoan RFU says.

Yeah, it's not a great indicator the Samoan game is in good hands. It's a serious breach of etiquette.

Every match that Samoa play, home or away, let them have all-Samoan officials - referee, linesmen and TMO.

Then the prime minister of New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, France, Argentina, Italy, the UK, or whoever, can give a post-match detailed review of how the officials performed!

You didn't say the Samoan union. You said the samoan team. If the entire staff (of 3) and all the coaches said something stupid I wouldn't hold it against the team. How exactly was he voted? Who is he responsible to? How often have we English complained about the people running the RFU and how they don't take responsibility for their own actions, old boys network, etc?

red_stag wrote:Things like this make Samoa a thoroughly unlikable team.

Also, almost ironically, isn't projecting an opinion based on one person actions onto a country or group people actually, kind of, the definition of racism?

He's said stupid stuff. Direct derision of such comments to guy himself.

Also pretty funny it's the same ref the Welsh were howling over in their second test.

The Samoan union have apparently put in an official complaint to the IRB over the refereeing (well, AR).

And finally (probably) the accusations of 'racism' were towards the way they're treated by the IRB not to ref. He just thought the reffing team were idiots

What he got wrong is that Samoa aren't treated badly due to racism. It's because they aren't a money spinner and after all money is needed to ensure the primary goal of rugby is improved

HammerofThunor wrote:You didn't say the Samoan union. You said the samoan team. If the entire staff (of 3) and all the coaches said something stupid I wouldn't hold it against the team. How exactly was he voted? Who is he responsible to? How often have we English complained about the people running the RFU and how they don't take responsibility for their own actions, old boys network, etc?

red_stag wrote:Things like this make Samoa a thoroughly unlikable team.

Also, almost ironically, isn't projecting an opinion based on one person actions onto a country or group people actually, kind of, the definition of racism?

He's said stupid stuff. Direct derision of such comments to guy himself.

Clearly he is referring to the fact this isn't an isolated incident in terms of controversy surrounding Samoan rugby. You are right to say that we shouldn't tar everyone with the same brush, but there is no need to start throwing the racism card around..

Also, a PM making comments such as "a rock hitting his head would be justified" is pretty disgusting, and has absolutely no place in rugby. I hope nobody actually takes him seriously..

EDIT: Or any sport for that matter. At the end of the day, it is a game.

DOUBLE EDIT: For those that care, I am addressing the comment when I use the word "disgusting".

Rory_Gallagher wrote:Clearly he is referring to the fact this isn't an isolated incident in terms of controversy surrounding Samoan rugby. You are right to say that we shouldn't tar everyone with the same brush, but there is no need to start throwing the racism card around..

Forgot the racist, homophobic comments that one of their players and a lo of their fans came out with after Wales beat them and South Africa knocked them out of the world cup have we?

I dont particularly think a lot of Samoa anymore to be honest, I think they lost most of the respect they had gained during the World Cup this wont help though.

Doesn't that make you just as bad though to judge the whole lot of them as one and the same? They can't all be blamed for what some fans or players say. I don't actually know what was said after Wales/SA beat them though. Any links?

I do hope this sort of thing stops happening, they aren't doing their reputation any favours. Especially when their PM joins in.

Rory
I understand why you regard his comments as disgusting, however do you not have to apply the Samoan useage to it? this just the way that the elder generation of samoans speak.

To say it has absolutely no place in rugby suggests that everyone else has to comply with your standards. In time as Samoans become not only more "worldly" , and become more prominant in International rugby they will assimilate to the rest of us, but please dont be so harsh at this point in time.

So because I think it is ridiculous for a PM to be saying if a referee got hit with a rock it would be justified, that means I want everyone to comply to my standards? Not really sure what you are getting at mate, or what that has to do with anything.

Also, what do you think the PM would say if someone outside of Samoa made a comment like that about a Samoan?

Though of course I don't know much about Samoan culture.

Rory
I have been very involved over the years with samoans in many ways, in my education, business, and especially in sport. its just the way they speak, they are not as savvy with the English language as you or me, but they are rapidly catching up.

I have a feeling that when the journo heard the rock throwing remark he licked his lips with glee anticipating they way it would go over acrosss the other side of the World.

I dont know what the PM would say if the comment was going in the other direction, but I think I know how they would react. he would probably react in kind, just useing a bigger rock.

They are a lovely race of people, and we in rugby are fortunate to have them on board, they have so much to offer our sport, the trouble is there are a lot of people in the NFL that realise it as well.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:Also, a PM making comments such as "a rock hitting his head would be justified" is pretty disgusting, and has absolutely no place in rugby. I hope nobody actually takes him seriously..

EDIT: Or any sport for that matter. At the end of the day, it is a game.

You are hilarious, your hypocrisy knows no bounds....making a judgement based on what you heard in the media....outrageous behaviour!!!

I haven't judged anyone actually, I just didn't like his comment. Same way I told you I didn't like Haskell's behaviour in NZ, but don't judge him for it. Where is the hypocrisy? You just keep me on your foe list, you can't seem to help yourself from responding.

Perhaps its not racism, perhaps its that they aren't a big market for the IRB or whatever.... but one thing is true.... the lesser sides in world rugby are always discriminated against.

Be it in the RWC when the top sides have 3 extra days rest per game compared to the Samoa's, the Argentina's etc etc... all innocently explained via TV network demands on the IRB etc... or them being unable to field their best players because their foreign clubs ban them for leaving.

At the least all countries in such tournaments deserve equal footing... you don't see it in the FIFA world cup or any other sporting event I can think of.

Its no wonder with things like that going on that those in the smaller rugby nations will be up tight and have their backs against the wall... like PDV they will say things in the heat of the moment and it sometimes comes out as sour grapes... but underneath, their is often cause for genuine grievence.

Just to be clear. It was ONE player that made those comments. That's like basing your opinion of all Welsh people on Andy Powell. So this is now the 2nd ridiculous comment.

After the Samoa v Wales game there were loads of abusive posts on Nigel Owens facebook page, some homophobic. Most were from a relatively small group of people. There were also MORE Samoans slating those throwing homophobic slurs around. And if you use that to base your opinions then I suggest you spend some time with people from this country. I work in a relatively educated environment and there are significant number of people here who are homophobic to a greater or lesser extent.

One point about the rock throwing, is it a Samoan phrase? Saying "Break a leg" to a rugby player on their first cap doesn't sound great does it?

http://i0.kym-cdn.com/entries/icons/original/000/002/135/sw50sw8sw578.gif

[quote="HammerofThunor"]Just to be clear. It was ONE player that made those comments. That's like basing your opinion of all Welsh people on Andy Powell. So this is now the 2nd ridiculous comment.

After the Samoa v Wales game there were loads of abusive posts on Nigel Owens facebook page, some homophobic. Most were from a relatively small group of people. There were also MORE Samoans slating those throwing homophobic slurs around. And if you use that to base your opinions then I suggest you spend some time with people from this country. I work in a relatively educated environment and there are significant number of people here who are homophobic to a greater or lesser extent.

One point about the rock throwing, is it a Samoan phrase? Saying "Break a leg" to a rugby player on their first cap doesn't sound great does it?[/quote

It wasnt a player it was the Prime Minister, or have i gone completely mad? not very clear at all.

Mo Shwalger playing for the Chiefs and Samoa spoke about how the PM was ruining Samoa rugby. I heard an interview after the WC with Mo criticizing the set up. But also found the below.

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3893_7777479,00.html

I rather like the rock hitting head bit.

It can only be taken as a tongue in cheek comment unless you are looking to judge. We have all thought it and most of us will have said it at times. Just because he comes out and says it we all suddenly get an attack of the prim and proper and decry his comment because he is PM. heaven forbid anyone attacks the referees in this game of ours.

Yes it is unguarded and foolish for a PM to say this but maybe he deserves our admiration for wearing his heart oh his sleeve about a game that Samoans regard ina very different way to us westerners, and to judge based on a western set of rules about expressing yourself, not an isolated Pacific Island where society is plainly very different; is arrogant

I don't think homophobic comments are acceptable in any way, i don't like the racist argument but if that is how they feel then we ought to find out why. We live in a world where our most private thoughts are now easily put on display, best we get used to it.

Oh and Andy Powell is very representative of Welsh people. That some people on here love to make sweeping comments about people of various nations just makes me laugh. It illustrates just how stereotyping turns to discrimination and worse.

EBOP wrote:Mo Shwalger playing for the Chiefs and Samoa spoke about how the PM was ruining Samoa rugby. I heard an interview after the WC with Mo criticizing the set up. But also found the below.

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3893_7777479,00.html

I know players don't automatically turn into top notch admistrators or business men, but in a few years time if Mo & Alesana end up in senior positions in the Manusamoa RFU (if there is a shake up) they could be frighteningly effective at progressing PI rugby. All good for world growth ...