TOA SAMOA APPOINTS NEW HEAD COACH

Benjamin Gardiner, appointed as Toa Samoa’s Head Coach. (Photo: West Tigers)

Benjamin Gardiner, an assistant coach for the Penrith Panthers, has been chosen by the Toa Samoa side to serve as its new head coach as the team gets ready for the forthcoming Pacific Rugby League Challenge 2023 this coming October. 

The statement was made by Fiu Ponifasio Vasa, President of Rugby League Samoa (RLS), at a press conference on Tuesday in Apia.

Gardiner will succeed Mau-a-Pule Matt Parish, who resigned from the position two months ago after guiding Samoa's national rugby league team to a historic Rugby League World Cup final. 

"There were a lot of applicants interested in the role, but we chose someone with extensive experience and involvement in the sport, not only because he is involved with a top-four team that is heading to the finals this weekend in the Australian National Rugby League (NRL).

"But also because of his previous experience being involved with international tournaments and world cups over the years and has also spent a lot of time with Pacific players," stated the RLS President. 

Fiu conveyed that there was little local interest in the position of head coach and that the committee received seven overseas applicants.

Gardiner, who was born and bred in New Zealand, served as an assistant coach for the New Zealand Kiwis in 2017. He had previously served as the Western Suburbs Magpies' coach.

The RLS Committee also expressed confidence in his involvement and ties to Toa Samoan players who had represented the Penrith Panthers throughout the years. 

The sole concern for RLS management was the new head coach's participation in the NRL finals, with Penrith Panthers set to play Melbourne Storm for a spot in the grand final.

Fiu claimed, however, that their coaching staff had been reminded of their need to get in touch with the players in advance of their Pacific test matches next month.

By the terms of the Pacific test match participation agreement, the squad must camp seven days before the start of the match, which falls during the Samoan holiday weekend of White Sunday.

Before the start of the 2023 Pacific Championships, the Toa Samoa and the Fetu-playing sides are slated to meet on October 7.