How Toa Samoa Changed The Game: Expert
Gabrielle Apelu, former National Rugby League (N.R.L.) administrator for Samoa.
Photo: Supplied
What Toa Samoa has done on the international stage far transcends sports performance says Gabrielle Apelu, former National Rugby League (N.R.L.) administrator for Samoa.
Ms. Apelu is founder of APELU Sports, a sports service organisation that delivers leadership, gender and health programmes.
She has represented Samoa in rugby union, rugby league, tag and touch rugby.
The former programme manager for the N.R.L. in the Games Development Division, Ms. Apelu’ role was to promote and develop sports for development programs and sports programs in the sport of rugby league.
It would not come as a surprise if Samoa decides to go with rugby league as its official sport, she said in response to questions from EyeSpy Radio News.
“What Toa Samoa has done for the game of rugby league is huge. It is no secret that in a country such as Samoa, rugby league is a minor sport,” said Ms. Apelu.
“Now, I would not be surprised if the country will go with rugby league as our official sport. What Samoa has done on the global international stage far transcends sports performance. I cannot recall a time when I have seen all our people come together in solidarity and unity to this level and by extent all other countries in support of our little island nation.”
Ms. Apelu watched all the games and commended Toa Samoa for a job well done.
The Grand Final was a great learning opportunity and Ms. Apelu is said she quite happy with the result.
Going into the final, Samoa had the same chance as Australia did, Ms. Apelu noted.
“Yes, I watched all the games. I thought we did really well and the boys played amazing. I think it is easy for people to get caught up in our desire to win that we then start analyzing the game in terms of errors and who could have done what better,” she said.
“Going into the Grand Final we had the same chance as Australia did. Toa Samoa still achieved a fine result as it gives the opportunity to learn and how we can be better for the next round. Toa Samoa did what they could for the final and I am happy with what they did, and we have to be content with that. As the skipper said, at the end of the day, Australia won and now we look towards the next Rugby League World Cup.”
There were “a few errors” in officiating but it would not have changed the outcome of the game in a huge way, Ms. Apelu pointed out.
“Yes I think there were a few errors from the side of the referee and wouldn’t have changed the outcome of the game in huge way. Australians are cunning athletes and when allowed to get a pass on an infringement, emboldens them in their play and I saw a couple of that in the grand final,” she said.
“People will complain about officiating in any game whether it be the winning or losing side, there will always be remarks about the referee. I am sure now in the aftermath of the R.L.W.C. the international body will look to where they can do better in the future.
Even before the Grand Final was played, Toa Samoa had already made a huge impact, Ms. Apelu pointed out.
She expects an increase in local teams for both men and women.
“I do believe as I mentioned before that the explosion of rugby league locally is the impact that Toa Samoa had even before the grand final. I wouldn’t be surprised if we become a rugby league nation overnight. I foresee an increase in the local teams both men and women in wanting to play rugby league. It offers a better pathway than most sports do too so it makes more sense,” she said.
APELU Sports, the sports service organisation she manages, is a strong voice against cyber-bullying.
EyeSpy radio asked Ms. Apelu to comment on the behavior of some Toa Samoa fans online.
Most Samoans, she said, “have limited etiquette when it comes to being on social media” and there must be a checks and balances to fan behaviour.
“Everyone has the right to freedom of speech. But it does go without saying that most Samoans in general have limited etiquette when it comes to being on social media, quite often expressing their opinions without respect to themselves and to others,” said Ms. Apelu.
“And it also goes without saying that we as fans and supporters can always do better. Fan behavior must have checks and balances. It is okay to express a thought and opinion, but do so from a view point of consideration. Being an elite athlete such as the Toa Samoa, they become open for public scrutiny. I would advise that we take into consideration when commenting about our athletes that we do so with some thought.”
Ms. Apelu thanked the Toa Samoa R.LW.C. squad, team management and their families who underwent harsh scrutiny in the weeks leading up to the R.L.W.C. Grand Final.
“I have never seen our people come together with such ‘lotonuú’ as witnessed in the R.L.W.C. And that is something. We say thank you to Toa Samoa and management and their families,” she said.
“The R.L.W.C. was six weeks but these players faced scrutiny and backlash weeks before the R.L.W.C. Thank you for staying strong in your conviction to play for Samoa, ua malie mata, ua malie loto, o outou o Toa.”