On a cold winter’s night we head to the South Seas for more public domain photos from the CIA World Factbook, starting with French Polynesia. To remind you, to download these photos, start with the homepage (see link above) and use the dropdown menu “Select a Country or Location,” and that will take you to that country’s page for maps, flags, photos (in some cases) and a lot of information. 

Bora Bora, French Polynesia 

Downtown Bora Bora 

Moorea, French Polynesia 

Pago Pago, American Samoa 

Kuata, Yasawa Islands Group, Fiji 

Two Lovers’ Point, Guam 

Below: Map of Oceania, and small maps in which squares denote relative locations of the four countries in this post. The maps, like the images are in the public domain and courtesy of the CIA World Factbook. 

Clockwise: Locations of American Samoa, Guam, French Polynesia, and Fiji 

The flag of French Polynesia

Scientists in New Zealand say the devastating tsunami that struck the Samoan islands and Tonga was more than 14 metres high…. From BBC News. Full story

This site may contain information about: artic ocean sea. The blog is also related to: sea.

Scientists in New Zealand say the devastating tsunami that struck the Samoan islands and Tonga was more than 14 metres high…. From BBC News. Full story

This site may contain information about: north atlantic sea. The blog is also related to: ocean salinity.

Setting out to explore a new country

Ever had one of those moments in life where you had a really optimistic outlook and you thought something was going to great and then all your hopes were dashed upon the figurative rocks as the experience completely failed to live up to expectation? I have.

This week’s photo was taken around this time last year. I did a Trip to Samoa with my sister and a bunch of other really cool people, the practical purpose of the trip was to help out with a construction project on a YWAM (Youth with a mission, it’s an evangelical christian organisation) Base.

So the twelve of us arrived having gone through a grueling two week training program in Tewantin Queensland at a lovely place called “The Lords Boot Camp’ that is run by possibly one of the most unpleasant and scary people I have encountered.

As you can imagine when we got Samoa our first response was to take advantage of the circumstances and relax momentarily before getting stuck into the massive building project ahead of us. We thought a good way to do this would be to go on a walk to check out the local scenery, we had a vague idea that we’d like to find a beach.

Little did we know that we were a good two hours walk from the nearest beach (we’d been driven to the YWAM base at two in the morning and when we went looking for this beach we were thoroughly jetlagged), so we walked for hours with very little idea of where we were going. It started to rain which increased the humidity and made it hard to breathe, people were crying from exhaustion and just generally feeling pathetic, in addition to this we met some very drunk Samoan men who were having trouble keeping their lava lava’s (man skirts) up and repeatedly constructed some very pointed sexual euphemisms. It was not a good start to our Time in Samoa.

Happily, the tone of the trip wasn’t set immutably by this fiasco and we had an amazing productive time. A bunch of twelve amateur builders with the help of some Samoan teenagers managed to build a sturdy fale’ from scratch.

The photo captures the moment of optimism at the outset of of fated journey to the beach that we never found.

From Rugby World reader, Larissa Falls

Got any to add?

Hot:

Women’s Rugby… Matches at Twickenham and Stade de France following the men’s were great advertisements and should become regular occurrences not one-off opportunities. As for England beating New Zealand to show it isn’t a one horse race…bring on the World Cup!

Autumn Internationals… Genia, Guildford, J. Davies emergence with Moody’s comeback. The Samoan and Fijian fighting spirit and San Siro’s atmosphere. Lobbe’s work rate and Sexton’s boot. The France v South Africa and Ireland v South Africa clashes, plus the France v NZ and Wales v Australia matches.

Melbourne…The year’s 2011, the colours are navy and white, the name is the Rebels and the place is Melbourne. Meet the latest addition to the soon-to-be expanded Super 15!

Scheduling… Fantastic to see-for the first time- all top 20 nations participating in top level International matches within the same month. Congratulations to the IRB and Unions for allowing this to take place. May it continue!

Ireland…Undefeated all year, 6 Nations Champions, Triple Crown and Grand Slam holders. Overcame the Tri Nations winners (South Africa), held its greatest world ranking of fourth, and was surprisingly unlucky not to have added the ‘IRB Player of the Year’ to its ranks in Brian O’Driscoll.

Not:

Disrespect… Booing the kicker is not acceptable and tarnishes the game that prides itself on sportsmanship. As for the minute silence fiasco; the apology was too late as the damage had already been done.

‘Aerial Ping-Pong’… Something has to be done to eradicate this uninspiring and unattractive part of the current game. The 22 kicking law was established to create attacking running rugby, but has produced a polar effect.

Unequal Preparation Time… What a wrecking force Argentina, Fiji and Samoa could be given the same luxurious preparation time and player release as the other nations!

Eye Gouging Claims… Makes you ponder whether such acts would still be committed had Schalk Burger’s punishment been more severe. If found guilty; the IRB now has another chance to rid rugby of this callous behaviour.

Samoa es uno de los libros de fotografía que forman parte de la serie Pacific  Pride  (Samoa, Tonga, Islas Cook & Fiji) de la editorial Pasifika Press de Aotearoa Nueva Zelanda. A través de las fotografías de Evotia Tamua y los textos de Graeme Lay &  Malama Meleisea nos acercamos a la historia y  a la cultura que definen a estas hermosas  islas polinesias así como también a aquellos aspectos económicos, políticos y sociales que la definen como un estado moderno dentro de la comunidad de naciones. Otros libros de Evotia Tamua sobre las Islas del Pacífico & Aotearoa Nueva Zelanda  son Pacific Auckland y Polynesian Festival.

Evotia Tamua  nacida en Aotearoa Nueva Zelanda, es una reconocida fotógrafo freelance  de origen samoano, su familia procede de la aldea de Salelesi en ‘Upolu, y  viene desarrollando su labor profesional en aquel país de las antípodas y las Islas del Pacífico a través de retratos documentales y fotografía comercial. Sus fotografías han sido editadas en numerosas publicaciones y mostradas en diversas exposiciones reflejando en la mayoría de ocasiones, los aspectos sociales de las comunidades polinesias y samoanas en sus islas de origen y/o en los suburbios de Auckland  (Aotearoa Nueva Zelanda).

El neocelándes Graeme Lay es editor y autor de numerosos libros tanto para el lector adulto como juvenil, en esta última categoría destaca la trilogía de Tuaine Takamoa: Living One-Foot Island (1998), Return  to One-Foot Islands (2002) & The Pearl of One Foot Island (2004) novelas que transcurren en las Islas Cook y cuya protagonista es Tuaine Takamoa. Entre otros libros destacamos Motu Tapu (1990)  Passages: Journeys in Polynesia (1993),Pacific New Zealand (1996), Pacific Feast & Festivals (2002).

Malama Meleisa es historiador samoano que ha publicado varias obras sobre las tradiciones e historia de Samoa entre las que podemos destacar Lagaga: A Short History of Western Samoa publicado por la Universidad del Pacífico Sur (Suva, Fiji, 1987). Otras publicaciones de Evotia Tamua: Polynesian Festival & Pacific Auckland

Última semana de tests para quase todas as seleções, com vitórias expressivas de Nova Zelândia, Irlanda e Austrália. Pelas Eliminatórias para a Copa do Mundo, a Namíbia passou pela Tunísia e está em seu quarto mundial consecutivo! Tivemos também rodadas na Guinness Premiership inglesa e no Top 14 francês. Vamos aos Resultados do Final de Semana!

A rodada de Test Matches (Amistoso) começou na sexta-feira, com a Austrália derrotando por 31 x 3 o Cardiff Blues, do País de Gales, e com a Irlanda A batendo os Jaguares Argentinos, por 31 x 0.  No sábado tivemos os grandes jogos. Na cidade de Ascoli, a Itália quebrou uma péssima sequência de 13 derrotadas consecutivas, vencendo bem a seleção de Samoa, antigo algoz azzurro. 24 x 3.

No Croke Park de Dublin, Jonathan Sexton deu uma lavada em Morné Steyn no quesito chutes. Os dois aberturas – grandes promessas do rugby mundial – protagonizaram um duelo a parte na batalha entre os campeões do Six Nations, Irlanda, e os campeões mundiais e do Tri Nations, a África do Sul. Os Springboks realmente mostraram que estão em baixa. Jogando com força máxima, não foram capazes de superar a equipe esmeralda, que viu Sexton em dia inspiradissimo. 15 x 10 e festa em Dublin.

Em partida fraca tecnicamente, a Escócia não conseguiu embalar a segunda vitória consecutiva nos tests de fim de ano. Os azuis receberam os Pumas da Argentina e deixaram a vitória escapar no fim da partida. Um bem bem chutado e um drop goal preciso do centro Martín Rodrígues deram a vitória aos porteños.

Nas outras duas grandes partidas do dia, lavadas de Austrália e Nova Zelândia sobre País de Gales e França, respectivamente. No Millenium Stadium de Cardiff, os Wallabies dominaram completamente a equipe galesa. Com tries de Ioane, Horwill, Pocock e Polota-Nau, a Austrália encerrou de cabeça erguida seu ano, se aproveitando de um País de Gales desfalcado, sem Mike Phillips, Ryan Jones e Tom Shanklin. Matt Giteau se reencontrou com seu melhor rugby, coordenou muito bem a linha aussie e garantiu os 33 x 12. Aos galeses, restou assistir à boa partida da promessa Leigh Halfpenny, que anotou os 12 pontos da equipe. E em Marselha, jogo de uma equipe só. Os All Blacks arrasaram os Les Bleus. 5 x 0 em tries diz tudo. A França simplesmente não conseguiu coordenar suas ações ofensivas, padecendo de organização e liderança em campo. O resultado dessa somatória de deficiências foi a fácil vitória All Black. Sivivatu, que jogou um grande rugby, anotou o primeiro try. Muliaina, Kaino, Cory Jane e Corad Smith anotaram os outros quatro tries neozelandeses, enquanto Daniel Carter esteve brilhante nos chutes e no comando ofensivo da equipe. All Black na melhor das formas no sábado em Marselha! 39 x 12.

Nas demais partidas, Fiji e Tonga terminaram seus giros pela Europa com, finalmente, vitórias. Os fijianos bateram a Romênia, em Bucareste, por 29 x 18, e os tonganeses derrotaram Portugal, em Lisboa, por 24 x 19. Já o Canadá recebeu, em Vancouver, a ascendente Rússia e conseguiu ótima vitória, por 22 x 6. O triunfo canadense caiu em hora muito necessária, já que a equipe vinha de duas péssimas apresentações em solo japonês, com duas derrotas expressivas. Vencer a Rússia serviu para salvar a honra da equipe.

Na cidade de Windhoek, a Namíbia garantiu a sua classificação para a Copa do Mundo de 2011 – a quarta participação consecutiva da equipe em mundiais. Vitória merecida sobre a brava Tunísia, por 22 x 10. O agregado em 40 x 23 foi mais do que suficiente para os namibianos, que se favorecem dos excessivos penais cometidos pelos tunisianos na partida de volta. A Namíbia jogará a Copa do Mundo no Grupo 4, ao lado de África do Sul (duelo africano!), País de Gales, Fiji e Samoa, um dos chamados grupos da morte. O Grupo 4 é o único grupo que já tem todas as equipes definidas. A Tunísia, por sua vez, terá uma segunda chance, na repescagem mundial. A equipe enfrentará o terceiro colocado das eliminatórias européias. Caso vença a partida, disputará a última vaga na Copa do Mundo contra o vencedor da partida entre Uruguai e o segundo colocado da zona asiática.

Pela Terceira Divisão A  (3A) do Europeu de Nações (European Nations Cup), a Suíça bateu a Armênia por 18 x 0, na cidade suíça cde Yverdon. E Andorra, em casa, derrotou a Sérvia por 21 x 7. Mas, apesar dos esforços de suíços e andorranos, a liderança ainda é da invicta Lituânia.

Classificação, após 6 jogos:

1 – Lituânia – 18 pontos

2 – Sérvia – 12 p.

3 – Suíça – 10 p.

4 – Andorra – 10 p.

5 – Armênia – 9 p.

Enquanto as seleções jogavam, a Guinneess Premiership rolava, com sua nona rodada. A primeira partida, entre Sale Sharks e London Wasps, foi cancelada devido às condições climáticas. Em Newcastle, os Falcons foram derrotados pelo Northampton Saints, de excelente campanha, com um verdadeiro show do ponto dos Saints, Chris Ashton, que marcou os três únicos tries de sua equipe e da partida. Saints 28 x 8 8 Falcons e terceiro lugar na tabela para os santos.

Em Worcester, os Warriors obtiveram um grande feito. Barraram os poderosos Saracens, com um duro empate de 12 x 12 (o segundo 12 x 12 consecutivo dos guerreiros) no Sixways. O que se assistiu foi uma heróica e valente defesa do time da casa aguentando de todas as manieras a pressão dos visitantes. Willie Walker, do Worcester, anotou quatro penais, o mesmo número de Derick Hougaard, dos Sarries, quebrando a série de 8 vitórias em 8 jogos da equipe londrina. Mesmo com o tropeço, os Saracens continuam na liderança da competição. A vice-liderança é do London Irish, que passou bem pelo agonizante Bath, fora de casa. 16 x 0 no placar, com Ryan Lamb anotoando um try e todos os demais pontos da equipe, em noite chuvosa no Recreation Ground. Mesmo com Matt Banahan em campo, o Bath não ofereceu perigo à defesa dos exilados. A sorte do Bath é que, em Leicester, os Tigers passaram muito fácil sobre o lanterna Leeds, com tries de Anthony Allen, Brett Deacon, Toby Flood (com bela jogada de Tuqiri) e Lewis Moody , . Fáceis 39 x 6, e quarto lugar na tabela.

Em Londres, Harlequins e Gloucester fizeram a melhor partida do dia. Uma emocionante batalha de 7 tries (4 para os Quins, 3 para os Cherry and Whites). O centro George Lowe fez o primeiro try para os anfitriões, mas que foi logo respondido pelo valente Gloucester – buscando reencontrar seu melhor rugby – com dois tries: do oitavo Delves e do ponta Sharples. Um try de Nick Evans, no fim da primeira etapa, recolocou os Quins na frente de novo. O segundo tempo prosseguiu emocionante, George Lowe marcando mais um try para os donos da rspondido, prontamente respondido pelo ponta Sharples, que manteve o Gloucester no páreo. Mas a vitória foi mesmo dos Harlequins, 35 x 29, e ponto-bônus para o bravo Gloucester.

Resultados:

Sale Sharks x London Wasps, em Stockport – adiado

Newcastle Falcons 8 x 28 Northampton Saints, em Newcastle

Worcester Warriors 12 x 12 Saracens, em Worcester

Harlequins 35 x 29 Gloucester, em Londres

Leicester Tigers 39 x 6 Leeds Carnegie, em Leicester

Bath 0 x 16 London Irish, em Bath

Classificação, após 9 rodadas:

1 – Saracens – 34 pontos

2 – London Irish – 30 p.

3 – Northampton Saints – 27 p.

4 – Leicester Tigers – 26 p.

5 – London Wasps – 8 jogos, 22 p.

6 – Newcastle Falcons – 20 p.

7 – Harlequins – 18 p.

8 – Sale Sharks – 8 jogos, 17 p.

9 – Gloucester – 15 p.

10 – Worcester Warriors – 15 p.

11 – Bath – 11 p.

12 – Leeds Carnegie – 8 p.

O Top 14 francês tem um dono: o Castres. A surpreendente equipe do Tarn lidera isoladamente a competição nacional, após excelente triunfo sobre o Biarritz. No confronto dos “Olympiques”, o Castres teve ampla vantagem . Dominou a partida toda, obteve 3 tries e, com muita serenidade, conquistou a vitória sobre um tímido Biarritz. 34 x 6. A segunda posição é do Perpignan, que não jogou nesta rodada. A partida entre Perpignan e Bayonne, no País Basco, foi cancelada após a confirmação de 3 casos de gripe H1N1 no elenco catalão.

Junto do Perpignan, no segundo posto, está o Clermont, que passou tranquilamente sobre o vice-lanterna e desesperado Bourgoin. A vitória dos amarelos por 32 x 3, com quatro tries anotados, mantém a equipe na caça ao Castres. O quarto lugar é do Toulouse, que se recuperou da tenebrosa derrota frente o Castres, com vitória suada sobre o Montauban. O jogo foi em Toulouse, e mesmo assim os afritriões não conseguiram, de forma alguma, impor seu jogo. O Montauban foi valente, fez mais tries (2 x 1) e quase arranca uma vitória. Mas pecou ao cometer penais excessivos. A desculpa para o sofrimento no jogo em casa pode ter sido a ausência de muitos selecionáveis, servindo os Les Bleus, mas o elenco ainda assim não deixa de ser estrelado, e precisa, urgentemente, começar a jogar um rugby muito melhor. 17 x 12, no Ernst Wallon.

Em Paris, o desfalcado Stade Français recebeu o Toulon, de Jonny Wilkinson. E o inglês foi novamente decisivo. Anotou 4 penais, 1 conversão – do try de Loamanu – e 1 drop goal, garantindo a apertada vitória de sua equipe por 22 x 18. Bem que Oelschig tentou fazer frente a Wilko, mas essa é sempre uma tarefa dificílima. Nem os tries de Ollie Philips e Bastareud – voltando à boa forma – salvaram o Stade da derrota. 22 x 18, e os parisiense agora estão fora da zona de classificação para o mata-mata final.

A outra equipe da Cidade Luz conseguiu mais uma vitória, mas jogando mal. O Racing Métro terminou o primeiro tempo da partida perdendo por 3 x 0 para o lanterna Albi. Andrew Mehrtens tratou de converter três penais na segunda etapa, e deu a vitória de 9 x 6 para sua equipe. Por fim, o Brive conseguiu uma fenomenal e vital vitória sobre o Montpellier, que jogou sem seu maior no me, Trinh-Duc. A equipe de Corrèze ia muito mal na tabela, e estava estava seriamente arriscada de entrar na zona de rebaixamento. Mas finalmente tudo deu certo para a equipe preta-e-branca. O full-back Palisson anotou dois tries e dois penais e assegurou a grande vitória de 25 x 3 para sua equipe.

Resultados:

Stade Français 18 x 22 Toulon, em Paris

Castres 34 x 6 Biarritz, em Castres

Racing Métro 9 x 6 Albi, em Paris

Toulouse 17 x 12 Montauban, em Toulouse

Montpellier 3 x 25 Brive, em Montpellier

Clermont 32 x 3 Bourgoin, em Clermont-Ferrand

Bayonne x Perpignan, em Bayonne – adiado

Classificação, após 14 rodadas:

1 – Castres – 46 pontos

2 – Clermont – 41 p.

3 – Perpignan – 13 jogos, 41 p.

4 – Toulouse – 40 p.

5 – Toulon – 38 p.

6 – Racing Métro – 35 p.

7 – Stade Français – 33 p.

8 – Biarritz – 32 p.

9 – Brive – 29 p.

10 – Montpellier – 29 p.

11 – Montauban – 26 p.

12 – Bayonne – 13 j, 23 p.

13 – Bourgoin – 23 p.

14 – Albi – 15 p.

Pepla Pro D2, a segundona francesa, a liderança isolada é do Agen, que passou fácil pelo Aix-en-Provence. O Lyon Olympique Universitaire se manteve em segundo, com o empate contra o Grenoble no derby local, mas deixou o Agen desgarrar e Oyonnax e Narbonne se aproximarem.

Resultados:

Pau x Colomiers, em Pau – adiado

Agen 29 x 3 Aix-en-Provence, em Agen

Aurillac 25 x 22 La Rochelle, em Aurillac

Dax 19 x 16 Tarbes, em Dax

Grenoble 9 x 9 Lyon OU, em Grenoble

Auch 27 x 32 Narbonne, em Auch

Lannemezan 9 x 16 Union Bordeaux, em Lannemezan

Oyonnax 36 x 10 Mont de Marsan, em Oyonnax

Classificação, após 12 rodadas:

1 – Agen – 47 pontos

2 – Lyon OU – 39 p.

3 – Oyonnax – 39 p.

4 – Narbonne – 37 p.

5 – Grenoble – 34 p.

6 – La Rochelle – 30 p.

7 – Aurillac – 30 p.

8 – Union Bordeaux – 29 p.

9 – Pau – 11 jogos, 27 p.

10 – Tarbes – 25 p.

11 – Dax – 25 p.

12 – Mont de Marsan – 24 p.

13 – Auch – 21 p.

14 – Colomiers – 11 j, 17 p.

15 – Aix-en-Provence – 14 p.

16 – Lannemezan – 5 p.

1. Tagaloalagi (the first person and family of Samoa)
2. Lu Fasiaitu (originated the bird: Moa in Samoa, or Sa Moa)
3. Tui-Manu’a Moa, Tui-Atua, Tui-A’ana, Tui-Fiti, Tui-Toga, etc. (Royal Kings: as Tui)
4. The born of the Chief Title Malietoa from the words of one of the Tui-Toga that got chased to shore, an end of a dispute between the Savea family with Tuna and Fata.
5. Warrior Goddess Nafanua, Tonumaipe’a.

Samoa’s Royal Family Bloodline Genealogy of Queen Salamasina the First Tupu Tafa’ifa of Samoa to held the Four High Titles, and the Succession Line of her descent to the Titles to King Fonoti the Second Tupu Tafa’ifa of Samoa to held the Four High Titles (The Four Titles Sided Kingship as “The King of Samoa”):

TUI-FITI THE ANCIENT KING OF FIJI:
1. Usu Tui-Fiti ia Si’uuilasisifo le alo o Tui-Atua Puluitua faae’e le gafa o Fata po’o Fata-igoatele (tama). [: Suafa “Fata” o Lotofaga le Aiga Salevalasi]
2. Usu #2 Fata po’o Fataigoatele ia Sinasinavaiao le alo o Tuiatua Fogalepulu o Etemuli faae’e le gafa, o Fata (ii), po’o Fata-levave (tama).
3. Usu Fata (ii), po’o Fatalevave ile tama’ita’i o Fulu’ula-ale-matoto o le ilamutu o Tui-Fiti i Lotofaga, fa’aee le gafa: o Leu (teine).
4. Usuia Leu e Matasepu o Lepa, fa’aee le gafa: o Tau’iliili (tama), ma Talalaufala (teine)
ROYAL TITLE OF TUI-ATUA KING OF ATUA:
5. Usuia Talalaufala e Tuiatua Fa’asoutele o Ti’avea, fa’aee le gafa: o Fililesalue (teine).
6. Usuia Fililesalue e Leali’ifanovalevale i Palauli, fa’aee le gafa: o Popoai (teine), ma Taufaito’a (teine).
TUI-TOGA THE KING OF TONGA:
7. Usuia Popoai e le #1 Tui-Toga (viii), fa’aee le gafa o Togialelei (maliu, e le’i usu gafa), ma Tuiavi’i (tama: fa’avae a gafa o Tuifa’asisina, Tauaaletoa ma Unisialetoa).
8. Usuia Taufaito’a e le #2 Tui-Toga (viii), fa’aee le gafa o Tui-Toga Puipuifatu (tama).
9. Usu Tui-Toga Puipuifatu ia Pulu-mata-moana le alo o Hulu-a-talala o Toga, fa’aee le gafa o Tui-Toga Manaia (tama: na usu ia Nafanua), ma Tui-Toga Faisautele (tama).
TUI-MANU’A THE KING OF MANU’A:
10. Usu Tui-Toga Faisautele ia Painu’ulasi le alo o Tui-Manu’a Ali’atama le Tupu o Manu’a ma Manu le afafine o Lu Fasiaitu o Uafato, fa’aee le gafa: o Vaetoefaga (teine), ma Ulualofaiga (tama).
ROYAL TITLE OF TUI-A’ANA KING OF A’ANA:
11. Usuia Vaetoefaga le alo o Tui-Toga Faisautele e Tuia’ana Tamalelagi le atali’i o Tuia’ana Tagaloa Selaginato ma Vaetamasoali’i, fa’aee le gafa o Queen Salamasina (teine)

TUIA’ANA TAMALELAGI AND SO’OAEMALELAGI LEVALASI GENEALOGY:
1. Usu Sanalala Le Manu’a o Safata ia Gatoaitele ma Gasoloai, fa’aee le gafa: o Vaetamasoali’i, Atogauga-A-Tuitoga, ma Lalovi’imama (tama).
2. Usuia Vaetamasoali’i e Tuia’ana Tagaloa Selaginato le atali’i o Tagaloa Fa’aofonu’u, fa’aee le gafa: o Tuia’ana Tamalelagi (tama).
3. Usu #10 Tuia’ana Tamalelagi ia Vaetoefaga le alo o Tui-Toga Faisautele, faaee le gafa o Queen Salamasina (teine, le Ulua’i Tupu Tafa’ifa o Samoa).
4. Usuia Atogauga-A-Tuitoga e Tonumaipe’a Sauoaiga o Savai’i, fa’aee le gafa: o Tau’ilili, Tupa’i (Vaililigi), ma So’oaemalelagi Levalasi (teine: faavae Aiga Sa-Levalasi).
5. Usu Lalovi’imama le atali’i o Sanalala Le Manu’a o Safata ia Sefa’atauemana le alo ole Tuiatua i Fogaoloula, fa’aee le gafa: o Tuiatua Mata’utia Fa’atulou.
6. Toe usuia e Tuiatua Mata’utia Fa’atulou ia So’oaemalelagi Levalasi, fa’aee le gafa: o Tuimavave (tama: alualu toto), ma Queen Salamasina (tei-teine ma le tama fai; Ole Ulua’i Tupu Tafa’ifa o Samoa, le afafine o Tuia’ana Tamalelagi ma Vaetoefaga le alo ole Tui-Toga).

WARRIOR GODDESS NAFANUA TO SO’OAEMALELAGI LEVALASI GENEALOGY:
1. Usuia Nafanua e le Tui-Toga Manaia, fa’aee le gafa: o Latuvai (teine).
2. Usuia Latuvai e Mimisapu’a Faia’ai i Savaii, fa’aee le gafa: o Faletapa’au (teine), ma Taigalugalu (teine).
3. Usuia Taigalugalu e Lilomaiava Seve i Safotu, fa’aee le gafa: o Foalo (teine).
4. Usuia Foalo e Lologaapivao i Samata, fa’aee le gafa: o Maisina (teine).
5. Usuia Maisina e Fouafafa’asani i Tuamasaga, fa’aee le gafa: o Masu (teine), ma Leanui (teine).
6. Usuia Leanui e Leuluafi i Fogasavai’i, fa’aee le gafa: o Mo’oui (teine).
7. Usuia Mo’oui e Lafainatau i Palauli, fa’aee le gafa: o Tonumaipe’a Sauoaiga.
8. Usu le Tonumaipe’a Sauoaiga ia Leato Ugauga-a-tui-toga le afafine o Sanalala Le Manu’a i Safata, fa’aee le gafa: o Tau’iliili, ma Tupa’i(Vaililigi), ma So’oaemalelagi Levalasi (teine: faavae Aiga Sa-Levalasi).
9. Usuia So’oaemalelagi Levalasi e Tuiatua Mata’utia Fa’atulou, fa’aee le gafa: o Tuimavave (tama: alualu toto), ma Queen Salamasina (tei-teine ma le tama fai; Ole Ulua’i Tupu Tafa’ifa o Samoa, le afafine o Tuia’ana Tamalelagi ma Vaetoefaga le alo ole Tui-Toga).

(1) WARRIOR GODDESS NAFANUA’S VICTORY OF THE FOUR PAPA TITLES. Tui-Atua, Tui-A’ana, Gatoaitele, Vaetamasoalii. – (EARLY: 1500AD)
The Royal Title Tui-A’ana:
There were two Tuia’ana in Leulumoega. But what they used to do in those days in Leulumoega was to take good victuals to Saga’ate, meanwhile they brought bad ones to Tamalelagi. So Tamalelagi said to So’oaemalelagi Levalasi: Go to Savai’i to Tausunu and Tauasotasi, say to Nafanua to feel pity for our distress; good food is taken only to Saga’ate, while they bring us two only bad things. So So’oaemalelagi Levalasi went to Savai’i. Nafanua answered: Come and go, and in five days will start a war. Do it! If the war ends well, establish the government, give me the title but let no Tupa’i(Vaililigi) live there, for you are the ruler. And so Tamalelagi’s warrior troops came. The battle raged, Saga’ate was defeated and the rulership remained with Tamalelagi. However that title was removed by Nafanua, and Tamalelagi remained behind. He had no title, only his sovereignty as he went about in all of A’ana.

The Royal Title Tui-Atua:
Then a message came also from Tuiatua Foganiutea. Would Tupa’i(Vaililigi) come; that war was raging between the two of them, him and Tuiatua Fogaolo’ula. Tupa’i again answered: I will first go and talk with Nafanua about Tuiatua Foganiutea’s complaints. So Nafanua spoke: Go and start a war. But if you win, set up the government in Pulema’ava, and Tupa’i is to stay there to make it the sanctified seat of the Tuiatua. Here also war broke out. Tuiatua Foganiutea was victorious while Tuiatua Fogaolo’ula was defeated. Here, too, the title Tuiatua was taken by Nafanua.

Note: After the two wars for The Two Royal Papa Titles of Tui-Atua, and Tui-A’ana by Nafanua and Tupa’i(Vaililigi), So’oaemalelagi Levalasi’s brother.

The Gatoaitele Title:
Then news came from Gatoaitele to bring support troops, that war was raging against Malie. But Tupa’i(Vaililigi) answered: I will not until i have heard Nafanua in Salafai. And so they went to Savaii, and Tupa’i spoke to Nafanua. Nafanua answered: Go, fight a war, I discussed the matter long ago with Gatoaitele. If our side wins, set up the government in Tanumafili, and Tupa’i is to stay there to give answers to Tuisamau’s speeches. Let Tuisamau speak first in Malie, while no fono is to be opened by Auimatagi. And so the battle raged; Malietoa and Auimatagi were defeated while Gatoaitele and Tuisamau were the victors. The title Gatoaitele was also taken to Savai’i by Nafanua, while only the victors paraded around in Tuamasaga.

The Vaetamasoalii Title:
Then came the cry from Satunumafono to Tupa’i(Vaililigi) for him to bring help in the war between them and Alataua. Also here Tupa’i said: First i have to hear Nafanua if she wants this or not. So Tupai went to Savaii and reported to Nafanua Satunumafono’s complaints and pain. Then Nafanua said: Go, let war rage; if you are victorious, set up the government in Niusuatialemanu, and Tupai is to stay there and watch over the government and see to it that Satunumafono conducts itself properly. And so the battle raged, Alataua was defeated while Satunumafono erected its government. Then they took the title Tamasoalii to Nafanua in Savaii and the victors of the Satunumafono went around in Alataua. To these victors went Imoa in order to maintain a counter balance for Alataua. That is why here the people spoke first of “Imoa the pito lua o Satunumafono”.

Then Nafanua honours So’oaemalelagi Levalasi(descendant of Nafanua, and founder of le “Aiga Sa-Levalasi”) the four high Titles and send Tupa’i(Vaililigi) to take the Titles to So’oaemalelagi Levalasi in Leulumoega so that her word be fulfilled which she spoke to establish the government in Leulumoega by the name of I’u mai Papa (the return of the Titles). But Levalasi answered: My soul feels a great love for my child, and she wish to bestowed the Four Titles to her niece and adopted daughter Salamasina. And so Salamasina received the Four Titles and became the first Queen Tupu Tafa’ifa of Samoa.
(So’oaemalelagi Levalasi are first cousins with Salamasina’s father Tuia’ana Tamalelagi that he married for the tenth time to Salamasina’s mother Vaetoefaga, the daughter of the Tui-Toga. And for Tuia’ana Tamalelagi’s eldest son- “Alii o Aiga” name Tuala from his first marriage was the founder of le “Aiga Sa-Tuala”)
Note: from here on, thus the Samoan traditional saying “Aiga e lua” stands for (1) Le Aiga Pa’ia o Sa-Levalasi, (2) ma le Aiga fa’alagilagi o Samoa Le Aiga Sa-Tuala.

Queen Salamasina Combined in her Ancestry all the Aristocratic lineages of Samoa: Tui-A’ana, Tui-Atua, Tui-Manu’a, Tagaloa, Lu Fasiaitu, Tonumaipe’a, Vaetamasoalii-(Sanalala & Gatoaitele’s daughter), as well as Tui-Toga, Tui-Fiti, Tui-Rarotoga, was succeeded in a direct line of descent by a series of Tuia’ana from her father’s.

QUEEN SALAMASINA TUPU TAFA’IFA OF SAMOA LINE OF DESENT:
1. Usuia Salamasina le ulua’i Tupu Tafa’ifa o Samoa e Tonumaipe’a Tapumanaia le alo o Tonumaipe’a Saumaipe’a o Auala i Savai’i, fa’aee le gafa: o Fofoaivaoese (teine ulumatua “Feagaiga ale Aiga” Na fa’asolo iai Pa’ia ma Papa ole Tupu}, ma Tapumanaia (ii) (tama: Na e’e iai le Ao o le Satele i Falealili: Tapuolesatele).
2. Usuia Tuia’ana Tuiatua Fofoaivaoese e Tauatamaniula’aita le alo o Valasi-I-Ologa le Aiga Tonumaipe’a i Satupa’itea Savai’i, fa’aee le gafa: o Taufau (teine: Na tafea lana Uto), Sina (teine: Na au lana Uto), ma Asomua Lemalama (tama).
3. Usuia Tuia’ana Tuiatua Sina e Tito’iaivao o Faleatiu i A’ana, fa’aee le gafa: o Faumuina Le Tupufia (tama ulumatua ‘Ole Alii o aiga’ le Tupufia).
4. Usu #1 Tuia’ana Tuiatua Faumuina le Tupufia ia Manalelei po’o Talaleomalie le alo o Vaovasa i Gataivai Savai’i, fa’aee le gafa: o Fonoti (tama ulumatua ‘Ole Ali’i o Aiga’, Ole Tupu Tafa’ifa o Samoa).
5. Toe usu #2 Tuia’ana Tuiatua Faumuina le Tupufia ia Tu’umaleulua’iali’i le afafine o Manu’aifua i Afega, fa’aee le gafa: o Samala’ulu (teine)
6. Toe usu #3 Tuia’ana Tuiatua Faumuina le Tupufia ia Atamulau le afafine o Segi i Amoa, Fa’asaleleaga i Savai’i, fa’aee le gafa: o Va’afusuaga Tole’afoa (tama: faavae o le Aiga Taulagi).

The Royal Family Genealogy Succession Line held to the Titles from Queen Salamasina-(Held to the Four Titles as the First Tupu Tafa’ifa of Samoa) – Tuia’ana, Tuiatua Fofoaivaoese – Tuia’ana Tuiatua Taufau and Sina – Tuia’ana Tuiatua Faumuina le Tupufia – King Fonoti-(Held to the Four Titles as the Second Tupu Tafa’ifa of Samoa).

(2) THE WAR OF LE TUPUFIA, THE PAEGAUO WAR FOR THE FOUR PAPA TITLES: Tui-Atua, Tui-A’ana, Gatoaitele, Vaetamasoalii. – (MID: 1600AD)
One of the early kings was Tuia’ana Tuiatua Faumuina Le Tupufia. He had three children. The sons were named Fonoti and Vaafusuaga Toleafoa, and the daughter was named Samalaulu. They are Known commonly in traditions of Samoa as “The Three of Faumuina”. Each child was by a different mother, but Tui’aana Tuiatua Faumuina before he died, he did not declare a decree for a successor to rule on the throne. And intimately, this is why his three children, Fonoti, Samalaulu and Vaafusuaga Toleafoa entered into war to fight it.. the dispute was also taken up by their maternal relations that became so intense that war was raged to who will be King. And began the arise of famous family clans of Samoa such as Sa-Tuala, Sa-Levalasi, Sa-Asomua, Sa-Tago, Sa-Amituanai, Sa-Tunumafono. This is also why their father, or the Title “Faumuina” is greeted as “Le Tupufia”. Tupufia; means or referred to of his children that they all wanted to be King!

The distribution in the war was about as follows:
With Fonoti: Fagaloa, Faleapuna, Falefa, Saluafata, Solosolo, Vaimauga, Faleata, Safata, Falealili, Fasito’o-uta, Falelatai, Manono, half of Lufilufi and of Leulumoega.
On the side of Va’afusuaga Tole’afoa and Samala’ulu were: Aleipata, Luatuanu’u, Lepa, Lotofaga, Siumu, Faleula, Sagana, Sale’imoa, Faleasi’u and Samatau, half of Leulumoega, and also all of Savai’i island through Vaafusuaga Toleafoa’s influence.

The end result of the “War of le Tupufia” between Fonoti and his step brother and sister, was that Samala’ulu and Tole’afoa were defeated while Fonoti was the Victor. And the Four High Titles was bestowed on to Fonoti as King Tupu Tafa’ifa of Samoa. Then so Tole’afoa was taken to the island of Tutuila. The orator who was in exile with Toleafoa was Alipia Tausi mavaega. He lived on the island with the Chief.

APPOINTMENT OF KING FONOTI’S GOVERNMENT:

The All Samoa Fa’alupega-(The Great Honours of All Samoa) by King Fonoti’s Government since 1600AD. This Fa’alupega recognized the Authority and Identity of Principal Districts of Samoa, and through their spokesmen: – Tulouna a Tumua ma Pule, Tulouna Itu’au ma Alataua, Tulouna Aiga i le Tai, ma le Va’a o Fonoti.

Te’o: – O oe o le Anava o Taua, Ma lou Manu Samoa.
Fia’aitagata: – O au Suafa ia o Fatialofa, ma Auelua. O le a fai i laua ma Tulauniu o Atua, Punefu o Atua, Tootoo o le Tuiatua.
Mata’utia: – O le Vaa o Fonoti, O le Malu o Maauga Leulumoega, ma Lalogafuafua, Lufilufi. Fea, o le Vaa o Fonoti, O fea foi e Faaopea ia Atua le Fauono.
Molio’o: – O oe o le Vaa o Fonoti, O oe o le Too o le Fua.
Leutele – (Falefa); O oe o le Aai o le Tupu o Fonoti! Falefa (District), Sanone, Gagaemalae, Saleapaga, Sagapolu, Falevao, Sauago, Saletele, Uafato.
Tofaeono: – E Ono Pou o Lufilufi, Fitu ia te oe. E Iva Pou o Leulumoega, Sefulu ia te oe. E Fitu Pou o le Malietoa, Valu ia te oe. E Tolu Pou o Satunumafono, Fa ia te oe.
Ole Va’a o Fonoti: – Samamea, Maasina, Lona, Taelefaga, Salimu ma Maauga, Musumusu, Falefa, Sanone, Gagaemalae, Saleapaga, Sagapolu, Falevao, Sauago, Saletele, Uafato, Lalomauga, Manunu, Faleapuna, Lufilufi, Saluafata, Fusi, Salelesi Safanua, Fagaloa, Solosolo, Luatuanuu.
Tumua o Asiata: – O le a Falefa Tumua ia te oe (Sailiga Malo o Asiata ia Fonoti).

King Fonoti also brought the Title Mata’afa from Faleata to Atua. The trade was with Tiufea which King Fonoti changed his name to Manulele’ua after their game on flying the pigeon, and that Faleata will have the title of his father Faumuina. The titles Manulele’ua and Une which are high ranking orators in Vaimoso Faleata were created due to this exchanging of the two “Ao” Titles. Mata’afa the “Ao” Title of Faleata was taken to Atua by the King and gave his fathers name or Title Faumuina to replace the “Ao” Title of Faleata.

King Fonoti authorised the separation “Va-i-Mauga” of Lufilufi the Tumua and the Palace of Mulinu’u Lalogafu’afu’a Sepolata’emo, and appointed “Poloai” the six house of Lufilufi as the messenger between Lufilufi the Tumua and the Palace of Mulinu’u Lalogafu’afu’a Sepolata’emo for all communications first before any meeting to take place.

The Va’a o Fonoti District; comprises the village of Faleapuna and the sub district of Fagaloa, Safanua in the region of Atua became the naval war fleet in Fonoti’s war of succession “The Vessel of Fonoti”. People in these places not only sided with Fonoti but their fleets also contributed greatly to Fonoti’s victory. And for the part they had played in the dispute and for contending with Manono, Sapapalii and Saleaumua in the fighting that took part on the sea. In reward King Fonoti Tupu Tafa’ifa of Samoa designated them an Independent Political District In Its Own Right.

Aiga I le Tai District; comprises the villages on the small island of Manono and Apolima, and their associated villages along the north western tip of A’ana district, some sided with Fonoti and some sided with his kin Va’afusuaga Tole’afoa and Samala’ulu. King Fonoti Tupu Tafa’ifa of Samoa designated these villages an Independent Political District In Its Own Right. – thus the political district Aiga I le Tai, literally family on the seaward side.

King Fonoti also granted Ulualofaiga complete power over Fagaloa District and in addition he gave Ulualofaiga the village of Amanave in Tutuila. This village is controlled in this manner right down to the present day and The Authority as Recognised by the American Government. Fonoti also conferred honours on Tofaeono, Aiono, Misa and the privilege of receiving food on Faleata. Le ava a Faleata e favalaaui, o Faleata o le Itu Autasi ia Lufilufi ma Leulumoega ma Tuisamau. And the saying; O le sola a Faleata e sola ae vave mai. Additional honours given by King Fonoti – Faleata, already under Atiogie called Faleoo O Faiga Malo. Chief Aiono na tofia e le Tupu Tafa’ifa o Fonoti e tali ona lafo (toga) i so’o se mea fai a Samoa, O le Laaufausia – the chief Aiono of Fasitoo-uta may accept mats from Public Ceremonies as he is entitled to do so by Ancient Authority of the King Fonoti. Atamaioalii; is the Personal Servant of Tuia’ana appointed by King Fonoti. It is said the first Atamaioalii came from Manulega, a former inland village near Palauli. Since he served well and skillfully, King Fonoti said, you can eat my things because you served me well. King Fonoti’s food was tabu for others. King Fonoti also honoured his in-laws Fenunuti and Leatuavao as the Matua of the Sa-Tuala Family; – Fa’afetai Fenunuti ma Leatuavao i lo oulua Fa’aeaea, o lea ia amata atu ile aso nei, na avea oulua ma Matua Mavae o Le Aiga Sa-Tuala. King Fonoti rewarded and conferred many more other honours upon those Chiefs and Districts that had fought for him and such honours and privileges are honoured by the Tumua and Pule down to the present time.

Appointments by Fonoti’s sister Samala’ulu from the same war for:
Alipia: – O le matua na togi.
Tanuvasa: – O le itulua i ai o A’ana.

And then the Satunumafono people came to get Toleafoa and Alipia in Tutuila. So the ship arrived in Aleipata; Fonoti, who sojourned in Mulinu’u in Lufilufi, heard that the Satunumafono people were bringing their son Toleafoa. Then the King wanted to see to it that his throne might not be overthrown again. So Fonoti said. to Atamaioalii: Friend, come and climb across to Aleipata, tell Toleafoa to come quickly, otherwise we will perhaps not see each other again, for I am weak in my sickness..

Atamaioalii went and said to Toleafoa: I came so that you might go to the kings sickness, he is very weak. Then said Toleafoa: I cannot; go back quickly, I am not going. Then Atamaioalii returned and said to the king: Toleafoa is not coming, he is angry. Meanwhile Toleafoa and Satunumafono went to Falealili. And Fonoti spoke once more to Atamaioalii: Come, go again, tell Toleafoa to come, for I am very weak in my sickness. If he does not come, we will never see each other again.

And so Atamaioalii went again and said to Toleafoa: I am here again by order of the King. Would you come to his sickbed, he is weak. If you do not come, you two will not see each other again. Then Talo in Falealili spoke as follows: Toleafoa, come, go to the sickbed of the king, so that you two will see each other once more. And so Toleafoa crossed the mountain range because Talo and Satunumafono wished that Toleafoa went so that he might see the King once more on his sickbed.

Then Tole’afoa went and arrived at Lufilufi in Atua where the Palace of Mulinu’u Lalogafu’afu’a and Sepolata’emo, the Royal Seat of Lufilufi the Tumua the Principal Place. He sat down beneath the breadfruit trees and did not enter the house. So the King spoke: Be welcomed in the house so that we can confer well with each other. So Tole’afoa said: Your pigeon flight and gentle winds descend upon me. I shall not enter your house except for the Tumua. So Fonoti and the Tumua said: Welcome here in the house, let us confer with the king.

Note: King Fonoti Tupu Tafa’ifa of Samoa his Wish or Mavaega with his brother.
So Tole’afoa came and sat down by the in-between posts at the rear. Again the King spoke: Come, that I may determine our affairs so that your children and mine will fare well. The following were the words of King Fonoti: The Four High Titles be for me and my children, while the Title Tonumaipe’a be for you and your children, so that you will lead the Aumaga. Therefore the Aumaga shall be known to be sanctified. And because you have the Title Tonumaipe’a, you shall sit on a mat, and only you alone shall sit outside on a mat, and the others of the Aumaga shall be forbidden to sit down on a mat. When the kava chewing is over, all shall stand up with their kava bits and put them in the kava bowl; but for your kava bit someone else shall rise and take it there. Then let the kava bowl be brought and placed before you. If no King is announced by the Tumua, you are to be Tuia’ana Aveau’malaga and the words of the Aualuma are to point to you. Your Aualuma is to be cared for by Leulumoega, and Fasito’o-tai and Fasito’o-uta are to protect them.

However, if you ever again reach for my things, you and your children shall be the prey of the creepers (in the grave) and water shall flow below you; if on the other hand I should reach for your things then I and my children shall be seized by the creepers and water shall flow under me.

(King Fonoti Tupu Tafa’ifa, Muagututi’a, Seuta’atia, Nofoatolu at the Palace of Mulinu’u Lalogafu’afu’a Sepolata’emo, the Royal Seat of Lufilufi the Tumua the Principal Place in Atua: – Fonoti at le Aiga Pa’ia o Sa-Levalasi in Lotofaga Atua)

1. Usu #1 Fonoti le Tupu Tafa’ifa ia Fuatino le alo o To’alepaiali’i i Satapuala Aiga Satuala, fa’aee le gafa: o Muagututi’a (tama ulumatua ‘O le Alii o aiga’).
2. Usu #1 Muagututi’a ia Poto le alo Amituana’amanaia o Si’ufaitoto’a i Faleata, fa’aee le gafa: o Seuta’atia (teine ulumatua ‘Feagaiga ale Aiga’, o lo’o ala’ala ile Maota o Mulinu’u Lalogafu’afu’a ma Sepolata’emo i Lufilufi o Tumua Atua).
3. Usuia Seuta’atia o Mulinu’u i Lufilufi e Lilomaiava Nailevai’iliili o Palauli i Savai’i, fa’aee le gafa: o Nofoa-tolu Lilomaiava Vae-ole-nofoa-fia (tama: Ulua’i Suafa ‘Nofoatolu’ lea na e’e ile Maota o Mulinu’u Lalogafu’afu’a ma Sepolata’emo i Lufilufi o Tumua Atua)
4. Usu Nofoatolu Lilomaiava Vaeolenofoafia ia Sinaivaiana le alo o Va’afusuaga o Faga i Savai’i, fa’aee le gafa: o Fonoti Nofoatolu Laufeti’iti’i (tama) [Fonoti o Lotofaga Atua].
5. Usu Fonoti Nofoatolu Laufeti’iti’i o Mulinu’u i Lufilufi ia Va’asa le alo o Fiame Muagututi’a le Sa’ofaapito ma le Aiga Pa’ia o Sa-Levalasi i Lotofaga Atua, fa’aee le gafa: o Fonoti Oliovaigafa (tama ulumatua ‘O le Alii o aiga’), Nofoatolu Ti’auliva’a (i), ma Lagouta (teine) – [Sa-Fonoti o Lotofaga Atua]

Note: It is believed and agreed you had to held all four high titles to be the King of Samoa. For Queen Salamasina’s Royalty case, her genealogy line and descendants are proven of Royal Bloodline as well as held to the high titles of Samoa..

The two Tupu Tafa’ifa of Samoa Queen Salamasina and King Fonoti were laid to rest and buried at Mulifusi and Tanumaleu now called Lotofaga in Atua, the Place of The Sacred Family of Sa-Levalasi and Fiame the Sa’ofaapito. Tupu Tafa’ifa o Samoa o Salamasina ma Fonoti o lo’o lagomau i le Aiga Pa’ia o Sa-Levalasi i Mulifusi ma Tanumaleu, po’o le Malae o Papa i Lotofaga, Atua.

THE COLONIAL PERIOD ON POLITICAL AND THE FREEDOM OF SAMOA:

Fonoti Ioane Brown of Lotofaga-(Line and Descendant of King Fonoti Tupu Tafa’ifa of Samoa) at le Aiga Pa’ia o Sa-Levalasi in Lotofaga Atua. DOB-1901/ D-1974: The MAU & The Government of Samoa from 1935 to 1957.
In 2003, A Major Global Recognition for Fonoti of Western Samoa. The Book: The Evolution of International Human Rights; Visions seen; by Regents Professor Paul Gordon Lauren. Edition 2.
(Chapter 6: P. 176) Peace and a Charter with Human Rights: “Thus, many victims in the west began to join with many others like Gandhi in India, Ho Chi Minh of Indochina, Nkrumah and Kenyatta of Africa, Carlos Romulo of the Philippines, and Fonoti of Western Samoa in regarding the right of self-determination as absolutely necessary for international peace”.
(P. 207) The Universal Declaration of Human Rights: “In this regard, they strongly criticized a number of the early draft proposals from the colonial powers, but praised the commitment from the New Zealand that its agreement with Western Samoa would be ‘in effect a self-contained Bill of Rights for the inhabitants.” – (Regents Professor Paul Gordon Lauren: World Peace and Freedom 1945: Nobel Peace Institute and the United Nations) – Link to Info in full

Fonoti Ioane Brown Quoted in 1952: “Ole Suafa Fonoti o Lotofaga Atua o le Tama a Salevalasi, Ole Fu’a maualuga e mamalu ai Salevalasi i fafo i Samoa”.

HON FONOTI HIS WISH OF APPOINTMENTS FOR THE CONSTITUTIONAL INDEPENDENCE GOVERNMENT OF SAMOA: 1954-1957

HON FONOTI: Hon Acting Chairmen and the dignity of the Convention.

SAMOA, I would say that even though this Convention has been somewhat long, it is now seven weeks since it started, but it is not a thing that we should be downhearted about, and from what I have heard of the expression of options I am convinced that the majority of us here are very keen indeed to secure Self Government – Samoa Independence!

I Agree that this Constitutional Convention is something like religious conference because we have very often mentioned the Name of God, whereas this Convention is the Constitutional Convention of the Government of Samoa. I feel that the reason why perhaps we are mentioning the name of God so very often is because we are anxious that a Government of Samoa be founded in God, and I Wish to say therefore to you Samoa well done indeed.

I am convinced that Samoa is very anxious to take over the reins of her own Government and regain her rights to take charge of her own affairs. I would appeal to you Samoa, do not worry. Why should we worry? We are present here, we are all Samoans and this is Samoa which is holding this Convention. I would drew your attention Samoa to the fact that we are a Christian Country and this week we will again commemorate the Birth of Christ, the King of Peace on Earth. Peace and Goodwill onto men. Therefore, I would say let us not worry. I am convinced that our people of Samoa are Christians, and where there is right according to the Will of God, there will be success. I would say therefore, to you to bear in mind that Samoa are Christian people and as Christians we should certainly exercise, faith, hope and Love.

By faith I mean we should believe there is a God; by hope I would say that we should meet the temptations of the devil with hope in God; and by Love I mean that we should have that love whereby we will reject all that is bad and all that is not right that we may do, as good Christian people to love God and love our people and do that which is right. Samoa, let us be bound together in that love which should bring us together and do what is right for the benefit of our country in future.

Now I will express my opinion on this question of Head of State. Before I actually state what I have in mind I should first like to remind this Convention that I am one of the members of the Working Committee, and our recommendation of course is before you now; but since listening to the expressions which have been made in this Convention since the time we started I have come to some conclusions and formed my own opinion which I now wish to express before you.

FIRST, I would say that the present Council of State be retained and that its name be changed to Fono of Ta’imua – Council of Leaders.
SECOND, that the four royal sons of Samoa be in that Council.
THIRD, that the Hon Tupua Tamasese and Hon Malietoa, as they are at present, the Head of State, but for the future that there be only one Head of State and that the Head of the State be selected from within that fono of Ta’imua, and that the four nominates the Head of the State. If they are unable to do that then the matter should be referred to the Legislature for final action.

Those are my Wishes to this question of Head of the State and I would say if we should do that and carry hope, faith and charity in our hearts, and trust in our Lord, and trust in our own people, I am sure we will succeed and be bound together in Unity and Friendship. And I would say not only for the present, but also for the future, so that the very words written in our flag which is flying above us now “God is The Foundation of Samoa” may be always in our hearts. I have many other points which I would have liked to speak about but time is short.

Sir, I move that the Steering Committee comprising 5 Samoans and 2 Europeans namely:
Hon Leutele Te’o, Hon Tualaulelei, Hon Gatoloai Peseta, Hon To’omata and Hon Va’ai Kolone, Hon H.W. Moors and Hon A.M. Gurau, be Confirmed.
Hon Fiame Mata’afa Faumuina Mulinuu (ii) as the first Prime Minister of the Government of Samoa – Hon Fonoti Ioane Brown called a special meeting with his district and family of Aiga Pa’ia o Sa-Levalasi at Lotofaga Atua, to confirmed his retirement as a Politician at the end of 1957, and offer the opportunity to Fiame Mata’afa Faumuina Mulinu’u (ii).

On January 1, 1962, Western Samoa became the first independent state in the tropical South Pacific, and also the world’s first independent “micro-state.” Malietoa Tanumafili (ii) and Tupua Tamasese Mea’ole were joint Heads of State for life. Mata’afa Faumuina Fiame Mulinuu (ii) was Western Samoa’s first Prime Minister. (1a. Davidson 1967: 408-411) Note: The Government of Samoa founded in God: Fa’avae i le Atua Samoa.

The original historical All Samoa Fa’alupega of King Fonoti Tupu Tafa’ifa of Samoa was regained from the changed by the Colonist Imperial, with the new addition to it “Tama and Aiga” stands for the four Tamaaaiga and their families: – Tulouna Tumua ma Pule, Tulouna Itu’au ma Alataua, Tulouna Aiga I le Tai, ma le Va’a o Fonoti, Tulouna Tama ma latou Aiga, po’o Aiga ma latou Tama.

On October 9, 1974, Fonoti Mata’utia Ioane Brown of Lalovaea and Lotofaga Atua of King Fonoti Tupu Tafa’ifa of Samoa line, died at Moto’otua Hospital Apia in Western Samoa. The funeral mass was held at the Catholic Church in Mulivai Apia by His Eminence Cardinal Bishop Pio. Fonoti was laid to rest and buried at his land called “Oliula” in Lotofaga Atua. (J.B. Fonoti family: Sa-Fonoti of Lotofaga Atua)

KING FONOTI TITLE AND LINE OF SUCCESSION FROM THE PALACE OF MULINU’U IN LUFILUFI TO THE SACRED FAMILY OF SA-LEVALASI IN LOTOFAGA ATUA:
1. Usu Fonoti Nofoatolu Laufeti’iti’i o Mulinu’u i Lufilufi ia Va’asa le alo o Fiame Muagututi’a le Sa’ofaapito ma le Aiga Pa’ia o Salevalasi i Lotofaga Atua, fa’aee le gafa: o Fonoti Oliovaigafa (tama ulumatua ‘O le Alii o aiga’), Nofoatolu Ti’auliva’a (i), ma Lagouta (teine) – [Sa-Fonoti i Lotofaga Atua].
( Fonoti Oliovaigafa na ai ali’i mai iai Molio’o ma le Ailaoa e fai ma o latou Ali’i e iai le ulua’i Suafa Fonoti sa ala’ala i lona Maota o ‘Vainiu’ i Faleapuna. Na maliu ai lava le Ali’i ma sa lagomau ai lava. E pa, e leai sona suli).
2. Usu Nofoatolu Ti’auliva’a (i) ia Tamasailau le afafine o Lualemana o Asu i Tutuila, fa’aee le gafa: o Nofoatolu Ti’auliva’a (ii).
3. Usu #1 Nofoatolu Ti’auliva’a (ii) ia Sologaliua le afafine o Sialega o Nu’uuli i Tutuila, fa’aee le gafa: o Fonoti Nofoatolu Fata (tama ulumatua ‘O le Alii o Aiga’), ma Taelimu.
4. Usu Fonoti Nofoatolu Fata ia Teoteo Taufagalupe le afafine o Seinafolava i Lotofaga Atua, fa’aee le gafa: o Fonoti Teoteo Tuipu’avai (tama).
5. Usu Fonoti Teoteo Tuipu’avai ia Saumaloto le alo o Tuala Tamalelagi o Safa’atoa i Lefaga, fa’aee le gafa: o Muiamana (teine ulumatua ‘Feagaiga ale Aiga’), Fonoti Tuala Sola (tama), Gauifaiva Samuela (tama), Poto (teine), ma Fipe (teine).
6. Usuia Muiamana le alo ulumatua o Fonoti Teoteo Tuipu’avai o Lotofaga e Teleso o Si’umu, fa’aee le gafa: o Fonoti Pua’a (tama ulumatua “Alii o Aiga”), Lasela (teine), ma Leota Tafilipepe Ioane (tama).
7. Toe usuia Muiamana le alo ulumatua o Fonoti Teoteo Tuipu’avai o Lotofaga e Tafea Elise le alo o Lupe Tafea Tuai’ipuniu ma Fonoti LeTaupe Tuipalepale o Matatufu Atua, fa’aee le gafa: o Tafea Lomano Maioa Fonoti (tama).
8. Usu Tafea Lomano Maioa Fonoti ia Anne Vaelua Brown le afafine o Tuimanu’a Alexander Brown o Ti’avea Aleipata, fa’aee le gafa: Ola Mika Brown (tama), Fonoti Mata’utia Ioane Brown (tama), Tasala Brown (tama), Bella Brown (teine), ma Fiava’ai Brown (teine).
Note: Ua toe fetaia’i i I’u o Gafa o “Aiga e Lua” o Samoa ia Sa-Levalasi ma Sa-Tuala.
9. Usu Hon Fonoti Mata’utia Ioane Brown ole Aiga Pa’ia o Salevalasi i Lotofaga Atua ia Luisa ole Aiga Satuala ma le alo o L.M.S. Pastor Rev. Ieremia Manulesa FS Mata’utia Tuala o Sataua, Lealatele, Leauva’a ma Amoa i Savai’i ma Upolu, fa’aee le gafa e to’a Sefulu ma le lua le fanau: o Uatogitau Alosio Fonoti Brown (tama), Fonoti Letaupe Ioane Jr Brown (tama: Fonoti Letaupe o Matatufu 1953), 10. Fonoti Inu Saufo’i Brown (tama: na soso’o ile Fonoti o Lotofaga Atua 1975), Hon Teoteo Asiasi’au Tiatia Sauso’o Fonoti Brown (tama: Faipule ole Malo 1973/1984), 11. Fonoti Tuala Le Sa’oalii Kamilo Brown (tama: Tuala le Sa’oalii ole Aiga Satuala 1963, ma Fonoti o Lotofaga Atua 2003), Falesefuluotualamasala Judith Fonoti Brown (teine), Lili’i Sae Benedict Fonoti Brown (tama), Lemalu Galusina Lalogafau Lui Paulo Asalemo Fonoti Brown (tama), Sailivao Peter Fonoti Brown (tama), Feiloa’ivao Paulo Fonoti Brown (tama), Tagaloamamana Inu Tulo Fonoti Brown (tama), ma Samala’ulu Otila Fonoti Brown (teine).

The current successor of King Fonoti Tupu Tafa’ifa of Samoa line to the Title is: Fonoti Tuala le Sa’oalii Kamilo Brown, of le Aiga Pa’ia o Sa-Levalasi at Lotofaga Atua, and le Aiga fa’alagilagi of Samoa Aiga Sa-Tuala ma Sala. Note: “Aiga e lua” o Samoa.

(“e ufiufi a le tama’imoa i le tanoa, ae ioio lava..”)

Test Matches – masculino

Irlanda 15 X 10 África do Sul

Itália 24 X 6 Samoa

Escócia 6 X 9 Argentina

Portugal 19 X 24 Tonga

País de Gales 12 X 33 Austrália 

França X Nova Zelândia 

Eliminatórias da Copa do Mundo

Namíbia 22 X 10 Tunísia – com a vitória, a Namíbia garante a vaga para o mundial de 2011

Azzurri in meta con Luke McLean (8′) e a segno con 2 piazzati di Mirco Bergamasco (7′ e 21′), uno di Craig Gower (38′) ed un drop di Tito Tebaldi (50′).

Meta tecnica al 77′ assegnata poi agli azzurri per l’ostruzionismo samoano di fronte alla schiacciante superiorita’ del pack italiano a un passo dalla segnatura (trasformazione di Mirco).

Ospiti in inferiorita’ numerica dal 59′ per il cartellino rosso rimediato da Henry Fa’fili per un placcaggio al collo ai danni di McLean.

Anticipo della quattordicesima giornata deciso dai gol di Di Natale e Floro Flores.

Fonte:

http://www.rainews24.rai.it/it/news.php?newsid=134556

A la búsqueda de una imagen vivida en su infancia, un hombre inmenso con imágenes casi reales grabadas en la piel, lleva a Gisa Schleelein hasta el misterioso y extravagante mundo de los tatuajes. Conoce al maestro tatuador polinesio mas relevante del momento, Paulo Sulu’ape, de Samoa. Es una toda una celebridad en la escena de tatuaje occidental y una de las pocas personas que domina la técnica del ta’tau haciendo uso de instrumentos tradicionales samoanos. Sulu’ ape invita a la directora de cine a Polinesia, la cuna del arte del ta’tau. En Samoa ta’tau significa literalmente “ golpear las heridas “. Allí documenta este antiguo ritual de iniciación a través de su cámara. Poco antes de su viaje a los Mares del Sur Sulu’ape es víctima de una muerte violenta. A pesar de la fatal circunstancia Schleelein viaja hasta el archipiélago polinesio para investigar acerca del destino de Sulu’ape y su cultura ancestral.

Samoa Tatau : A Journey to the Origings of the Art of Tattoing cuenta la historia de este apasionante viaje; siguiendo la vida de Sulu’ape, desde Nueva York a Aotearoa Nueva Zelanda, la tierra de los maori, los Tangata Whenua  Las conversaciones con amigos y familiares van desvelando los motivos de su asesinato y, al mismo tiempo, reconstruyendo la leyenda del gran maestro. En Auckland ( Aotearoa Nueva Zelanda) los samoanos emigrados muestran orgullosamente el legado que Paulo Sulu’ape dejo sobre su piel: el auténtico ta’tau de Samoa, el pe’a ( murciélago) de los hombres, el malu (casa) de las mujeres. Finalmente y en Samoa, la directora de cine, conoce al hermano de Paulo, Petelo Sulu’ape, respetado tufuga ta ta’tau. El le cuenta los mitos y las leyendas de sus antepasados, quienes sobrevivieron a la presencia de los misioneros sin verse obligados a renunciar a su cultura. Petelo celebra el ritual original. En siete días tatúa los principios de la vida en la piel de un hombre y una muchacha. Es la dolorosa iniciación que abre las puertas a una nueva vida.

“… En el Pacífico veo las sombras de las criaturas marinas que los samoanos marcaban en su piel. Vuelo a Samoa para visitar a Petelo, hermano menor de Paulo, quién también aprendió de su padre el arte del ta’tau…”

“… Ta’tau significa “golpear heridas” . Mediante este doloroso ritual, uno se convierte en una persona adulta. Un viaje interior hacia una nueva fase de la vida. Se me permite ser testigo de este ritual de iniciación…”

“… Empieza con la ceremonia de la kava. La mezcla embriagadora de la kava ahuyenta la ansiedad de la persona que va a ser tatuada. Los jefes se encomiendan y rezan a los antepasados de Petelo. Su’a, la familia de tatuadores que cuentan las leyendas…”

“… Petelo martillea un triángulo en la piel fina de la espalda: el pe’a. El símbolo del murciélago gigante que identifica a la solícita madre naturaleza. El pe’a es un símbolo de protección contra los elementos invisibles de la vida. Todo samoano genuino lo lleva en su piel…”

“… En las líneas y superficies bien definidas se reflejan las leyes y obligaciones estrictas que el tatuado deberá acatar con respecto a su familia, clan y pueblo. La forma negra de la canoa, sin una canoa no puedes pescar. Quienquiera que porte estos símbolos, sobre él recae la responsabilidad de la familia. Es doloroso alcanzar la madurez. A Tuaa no le está permitido mostrar el dolor. Su familia está con él…”

“… La piel de Tuaa esta muy irritada. Cada golpe duele a un más. Los asistentes del tatuador estiran la piel, para que de esta manera las líneas sean perfectas y los instrumentos no se claven en la carne…”

” … Las líneas exactas de las caderas unen los elementos del pe’a. Limitan el ansia de los hombres a tomar del mar
todo aquello que desean…”

“… Los hombres cocinan como lo hacen cada día. Incluso los alimentos son representados en el pe’a :
El taro, el bananero y el cocotero…”

“… El dolor que sufre Tuaa es inmenso. En el tercer día sus piernas se han hinchado hasta alcanzar el doble de su tamaño. Se volvería a tras aunque si así lo hiciera, su familia sería considerada como cobarde por generaciones . Debe continuar. Petelo le da un respiro y decide que es el momento adecuado para iniciar el malu de su hija Rita. Su iniciación llevará muchas horas…”

“… Malu significa: la casa. Protege del sol y de la lluvia. La mujer debe ser para la familia lo que una casa representa para esta misma. Los diseños del malu son más delicados. No son los mismos que se encuentran en las líneas del pe’a masculino. Amables como las estrellas que una vez guiaron a los primeros polinesios a través del mar amenazante, hasta llegar a Samoa. Así, de esta manera, la mujer debe guiar a su familia a través de la vida…”

” … Estrellas negras tintinean sobre la piel. Como de igual modo lo hacen, cuando las manos cariñosas del amante las acarician… El consejo que mi madre me dio : No intentes suprimir el dolor. Simplemente permanece tendida, relajate y entrega tu cuerpo al hombre que tatúa tus piernas…”

Tatau Samoa A Journey to the Origings of the Art of Tattoing
Directora: GISA SCHLEELEIN
LITCHTBLICK KÖLN
En Asociación con  MAXIMAGE ZÜRICH

Tangata O Te Moana Nui : Tatuaje en Samoa & Polinesia

El libro Amerika Samoa: An Anthropological Photo Essay es un  ensayo fotográfico sobre la Samoa Americana de Frederick Koehler Sutter, antropólogo licenciado por la Universidad de Hawai’i y fotógrafo de prestigio internacional  que colaboró con la National Geographic. Es ciertamente, un valioso documento visual y antropológico  de las islas samoanas orientales, reflejado en un bellísimo trabajo fotográfico llevado a cabo desde la estrecha relación personal del autor con este archipiélago del Pacífico Sur.

Cada fotografía va acompañada por un proverbio samoano descubriendo con su visión y lectura la vida diaria, usos y costumbres de este archipiélago polinesio, territorio no organizado e incorporado de los Estados Unidos de América.  A pesar de la aparente americanización de Tutuila, isla principal donde se asienta Pago Pago, su centro administrativo y comercial, Amerika Samoa continúa siendo truculentamente samoana y el fa’a Samoa forma parte de la vida de cada día de los polinesios que habitan este rincón del Océano Pacífico. Otros libros sobre Samoa publicados por la University of Hawaii Press (Honolulu) de Koehler Sutter, quién fue profesor de antropología en Samoa durante los años sesenta son: Samoa a Photogaphic Essay & The Samoan: A Global Family Este último es un apasionante viaje fotográfico  que retrata la vida de  samoanos que dejaron su país para residir en lugares tan alejados de su pequeña pátria como Alaska o España.

Ua tu’u i tai le va’a tele
La gran red ha sido extendida: Escucha y considera las palabras del orador

 O le seuseu ma le fata
Pesca con la red adecuada: Haz lo correcto

Ua maua le fili Aumua le Sigano
Aumua le Sigano ha conseguido sus deseos:
Los sueños y esperanzas se cumplen a pesar de las dificultades

Faatoetoe le muli o le ola
Deja el resto del cesto para los demás: Muestra amor y respeto por los otros

O le gase a ala lalovao
El sendero en el bosque nunca desaparece: La tradición sobrevive

 O le uta a le poto e fetala’i
Un hombre sabio piensa antes de hablar

Ua sanisani fa’amanuao
La alegría de la bienvenida es como los pájaros saludando al amanecer

También pudiera ser que huyéramos hacia el azul
con rumbo a un atolón perdido en los Mares del Sur
y allí te construiría con corales y bambú
una cabaña bajo un silencioso alud
de blanca luz

Veríamos junto a las olas a Daniel Defoe
bebiendo con John Silver un barril de viejo ron

A Robert Louis Stevenson con una leve voz
jugándose a Maureen O’Hara al dominó
con Robinson

Y el tesoro de la isla
yace bajo algunas rimas
en la cumbre prohibida del Vaea en Vailima …

Vailima (Fuga)
Luis Eduardo Aute

Os Test Matches de novembro entramem sua reta final, o que significa, jogos emocionantes, onde as seleções buscam a última chance de melhorar a sua posição no ranking da IRB.

No Brasil, teremos jogos pelo interior e no litoral de São Paulo, Bahia, Pernambuco e no Paraná. Confira os jogos do fim de semana e programe-se!

Sabe de algum outro jogo que não está lista aqui? Informe o Blog do Rugby pelo email blogdorugby@gmail.com ou comente este post!

Se alguém tiver dicas de links de jogos pela internet, comente o post, informando o link

Sexta Feira - 27/11/09

Amistoso – Seven

19h30 Recife RC X Aliança RC 

Local: Praia da Boa Viagem

Sábado – 28/11/09

Torneio Estadual de Sevens da Bahia

Local: Salvador

Armada Sevens

Local: Santos

12h00 – Itália X Samoa

Na internet: acompanhe pelo Twitter do Blog do Rugby

12h30 – Irlanda X África do Sul

Na TV: O’Malleys

Na internet: acompanhe pelo Twitter do Blog do Rugby

12h30 – Escócia X Argentina (ao vivo)

Na internet: acompanhe pelo Twitter do Blog do Rugby

15h15 – País de Gales X Austrália

Na TV: O’Malleys

Na internet: acompanhe pelo Twitter do Blog do Rugby

Amistoso – Union

17h00 – Curitiba RC X Blumenau

Local: Paraná Esporte (Curitiba)

17h45 – França X Nova Zelândia

Na TV: TV5 (canal 108 na SKY)

Na internet: acompanhe pelo Twitter do Blog do Rugby (a confirmar)

19h00 – Escócia X Argentina (VT)

Na TV: ESPN

Campeonato Paulista do Interior (Caipirão) – Taça Ouro

ESALQ X Raça Rugby Ribeirão

Local: Piracicaba

Domingo – 29/11/09

Presidente Prudente X Wally’s Jundiaí

Local: Presidente Prudente

Finiscono domani le partite della Nazionale Italiana con avversari di assoluto valore, riprenderà poi il campionato Italiano che per uno strano scherzo del destino non è considerato rugby, ma un surrogato difficile da gustare.  Novembre volge al termine e a distanza di 30 anni esatti da quel pomeriggio soleggiato al Battaglini in cui incontrammo gli AllBlacks con un risultato storico per il nostro movimento, sfidiamo i guerrieri Samoani. E’ la nostra occasione di interrompere una serie di 13 partite perse e di riuscire a mettere un segno positivo con i giocatori del Pacifico con cui non abbiamo mai vinto. Veniamo da due partite in cui ci siamo trovati a competere con i “mitici” AllBlacks e con i campioni del Mondo i “duri” SudAfricani. Sono stati incontri che hanno dimostrato palesemente la nostra attuale incapacità di avere un sano ed efficiente gioco d’attacco, di avere giocatori completamente fuori ruolo e della mancanza di chiare competenze in alcuni fondamentali (calci e gioco tattico). Abbiamo ingaggiato Nick Mallett per arrivare a questi livelli, forse anche un qualsiasi allenatore Italiano avrebbe ottenuto simili risultati risparmiando soldi, chiacchere e illusioni che avvelenano il mondo del rugby Italico. A questo punto, come ormai vuole l’insana tradizione Italiana, siamo alla partita che salva la stagione. Possiamo sorridere amaramente di queste amenità che ormai sono diventate una costante FIR nella gestione del nostro rugby, qui siamo arrivati e da questo punto, molto basso, incominciamo le nostre considerazioni. Perdiamo Sergio Parisse per 6 mesi, in allenamento si è rotto i legamenti; giocatore di valore mondiale e unica scelta disponibile come numero 8, andiamo contro i Samoani con Zanni adattato a terza centro e Sole flanker alla chiusa. E’ l’ulteriore tassello di colore diverso che si staglia su l’azzurra coperta Italiana. Notate che nella Penisola non nascono i numeri 8,  neppure i mediani d’apertura, ma sovrabbondiamo di terze linee ala, piloni, tallonatori, anche le seconde linee non amano nascere in Italia. Non parliamo poi dei centri che sembrano amare tutte le maternità del mondo meno quelle di casa nostra. Vista la terribile situazione delle nascite Italiane per ruolo, proporrei di intentare una causa seduta stante, alle cicogne, che fanno di tutto per mettere in chiara difficoltà Mallett. Con una squadra che ha fatto vedere rari momenti intensi e fruttuosi di gioco, soprattutto con il SudAfrica, andiamo a sfidare la miglior squadra Isolana del Pacifico, gli azzurri e bianchi Samoani. Giocatori che fanno del confronto fisico il loro biglietto da visita, che solitamente si stampa in qualche parte del corpo del malcapitato avversario di turno. Giocatori che soffrono terribilmente la disciplina sia di squadra, che nel gioco, possono essere temibili quando trovano le giornate di grazia in cui riescono a essere corretti nel confronto fisico e ordinati nelle tattiche che soprattutto in campo aperto sono micidiali. Amano il confronto uno contro uno e sono dei placcatori terribili che se non ben affrontati lasciano il segno, ma hanno difficoltà di organizzazione e amano poco le fasi statiche in cui soffrono l’organizzazione avversaria. Abbiamo nella nostra Nazionale dei buoni momenti in mischia e nel gioco del pacchetto degli avanti sappiamo dare il meglio che però ha pochissimi sbocchi positivi nelle linee arretrate. Potremo cercare di impostare la battaglia dei fanti pesanti e del gioco lento, limitando le aperture e il confronto al largo che è il nostro punto debole. Sarà importante giocare vicini e con attenzione alle aperture a tutto campo con la linea Samoana di difesa vicina, perché il loro “costume” è quello di uscire velocemente sul secondo attaccante (solitamente) per portare l’impatto che è quasi, sempre, di grandissima potenza. Riusciranno i nostri eroi a dare finalmente sostanza alla partita con i guerrieri del Pacifico? Lo speriamo vivamente, anche se abbiamo già pronta, in caso di sconfitta la scusa, capitata ahimè al momento giusto, la “terribile” mancanza del capitano Parisse che ci ha limitato etc. etc. Intanto riparte il campionato Italiano che è un surrogato del rugby in confronto con l’Evento di San Siro….peccato da questo orticello striminzito, poco curato e talvolta lasciato incolto siano uscite generazioni di grandi giocatori che ci hanno portato fin qui. Il nostro governo Federale è il primo a dimenticarsene.

Domani al Battaglini le vecchie gradinate risuoneranno della forza che ancora hanno da quel giorno, forse ne giungerà abbastanza ad Ascoli per svegliare l’orgoglio Italiano.