Mahonri Schwalger makes his full debut

Samoan World Cup hooker Mahonri Schwalger makes his full debut with James Hayter struggling with a shoulder problem and Ken Owens still on the recovery trail from a knee operation.


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Samoa league secures sponsor

The Toa Samoa Rugby League team has given the green-light to the New Zealand based Samoa’s Event Polynesia professional boxing promoter to promote the team’s campaign ahead of the rugby league World Cup in Australia later this year.

Event Polynesia says its task will also include fundraising’s to start in April, and any commercial arrangements from now up to and after the World Cup.

The president of Samoa’s Rugby League, Peter Paul, says local league competition will start in early April with trials set for July before the world cup squad is finalised in August.

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Samoa in 4th with 38 points after 4th leg

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Elvis Seveali’i back for Sharks

Sale Sharks have named their team for Sunday’s Guinness Premiership game against London Wasps at High Wycombe.

Sharks welcome back Elvis Seveali’I who has been out for 11 matches after breaking his arm against Montpellier in November.

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Kiwi star Tony to play for Samoa

New Zealand full-back Motu Tony has announced that he has quit the Kiwis to play for Samoa.

The 26-year-old starred in the Kiwis' 2005 Tri-Nations success but, with the World Cup on the horizon, has decided to play for the country of his birth.

"To play for Samoa is something I have always wanted to do" he said.

"This is the first fully-fledged Samoan team that has been around since I started playing professionally and I wanted to put my name forward."

Tony's decision follows that of Wigan prop Iafeta Palea'aesina, who turned his back on New Zealand last year, having been given permission to play for Samoa.

Former Warrington centre Nigel Vagana - now playing for South Sydney Rabbitohs - and Penrith forward Tony Puleta also switched from the Kiwis to Samoa to help them qualify for the World Cup.

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More links to photos from Wellington Sevens tournament

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4385755a10.html

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/4/story.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10490318

New Zealand win a stunner against Samoa

Amazing start

Veteran Sevens commentator Nigel Starmer-Smith was in raptures over "the most extraordinary beginning to the final I have ever seen" and it set the tone for a thrilling match.

Samoa dropped the ball from the kick-off and looked to have made a horror start. But the Pacific Islanders regained the ball from a tighthead scrum and broke away.

Speedster Mikaele Pesamino scored a sensational try, his eighth of the tournament in the left hand corner in just the first minute to stun the capacity crowd.

The pride of Apia, after their 19-7 pool loss on Friday night, were up for the game and it showed.

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Samoa 22 PNG 0

Samoa score first win in Pool games of NZ Sevens in Wellington against PNG, 22-0 to Samoa. Up next is Canada before the last game of the day against the series leaders New Zealand.

For full Day One draw click here