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Tue 16 Sep 2014 | 04:01
Tana Umaga lines up and smashes into older brother Mike Umaga in 1999

9
Comments

Last week it was announced that the All Blacks will play Samoa in Samoa for the first time ever. To mark the occasion, here is a quick video of a great moment between the two sides in 1999, featuring the Umaga brothers as they went head to head.

A week ago it was confirmed that the long overdue, historic meeting between New Zealand and Samoa will take place in Apia in July 2015. The match will serve as preparation for both sides for the 2015 Rugby World Cup, but more significantly it will be their first ever meeting on Samoan soil.

It's been a long time coming, with many of the strongest current and past New Zealand stars coming from Samoan heritage. The gesture will go a long way with the extremely talented nation.

"Many players in our team have strong ties to Samoa so this Test will be a great occasion for all of us. It will only enhance the links between our two countries," said All Black coach Steve Hansen.

"There is also a lot of respect for Manu Samoa and playing them at home will make this a great challenge - one we will all look forward to."

The match will take place on 8 July 2015, with broadcast details to be confirmed nearer the time.

In June of 1999 the two sides met at North Harbour Stadium in New Zealand and there was a great moment in the very first minute of the match, as Samoa's Mike Umaga failed to find touch, but instead found his younger brother, Tana.

The hard-running winger zeroed in on him, showing that there's no room for sentiment on the rugby field. Mike is seven years his senior, so maybe Tana had a bit to prove. Umaga senior tackled him well, but it was a decent bit of contact, perhaps with neither player getting the upper hand.

Posted By: Grant Constable

9 Comments

  • 45678
    11:16 AM 20/09/2014

    Armitage isn't the best English 7. He gets arm chair ride at Toulon with a monster pack. Can you really say he would have the same impact playing with a less dominant pack?

    I don't think he is fit enough

    Tom wood is the best 7 in England

  • 10stonenumber10
    6:39 PM 17/09/2014

    It is a very simplistic view, obviously there is much more to the situation than that, but you know what the headlines will be if france vs england 7 battle is robbo vs stef...

    10 out of the 74 players he has chosen are foreign, not 10/30! Still a big chunk, but at least he has been upfront rather than stick them straight into the match day 23 with a note from their nan confirming heritage.

    It is a complete farce, but how can England have a leg to stand on when they fast track players like Vainikolo and Hape, both cross code kiwis, into the full setup? Or are all allegiances forgotten when flankers are involved?

    I'm surprised Toulon haven't said anything, I suppose they would if they had to give him leave for England, but not for France.

  • reality
    6:22 PM 17/09/2014

    I agree with some of what you say, but to say that England fans are just angry because Armitage will outdo Robshaw is a bit simplistic. I'd say they're angry because international qualification has become a complete farce - and it was already pretty laughable - and the prospect of capped players playing for a second country because the first country isn't giving them enough attention is ludicrous. In the case of Armitage, at least he has some link to France aside from a work contract, but he was capped by England and that should be it. France recently presented ten foreigners as being of interest for their squad - that's two thirds of a team whose only link to France is that they're paid to work there. Madness!

    You can't blame Armitage for wanting to switch - he obviously stands to gain hugely - but the administrators of the soon to be 'World Rugby' are making a mockery of international rugby.

  • 10stonenumber10
    5:20 PM 17/09/2014

    The French sticking up an ironic V sign to the English...

    To be fair, the Armitages have a history in France, and played age grade there. Steffon won't get a look in from the red rose because of Robshaw. If he was a blindside, there may have been an exception to selection made, but england have invested too much time and faith in Robbo.

    Good on him. He wants to play International Rugby, and his own team won't let him, i'm sure pretty much every other northern hemisphere team would have Steff as their starting 7 if they had the chance.

    He was introduced to the England setup as 'Delon's brother' years ago, but now when people hear the name Armitage, it is Steff, not D-Bag Delon. I think England fans are just angry because he will do over Robshaw and any other 6.5 that england try to shoehorn. England don't have anybody his size or shape, nor do any other top tier teams for that matter... Like CauCau, he isn't some muscled up monster, in fact he looks like he could do with losing a few, but you cannot question his work rate or ability, he would lose an edge if he lost the belly!

    + it must be nice to be considered for the only team New Zealand actually fear.

  • 10stonenumber10
    5:01 PM 17/09/2014

    Interesting story with the Tuilagis.

    A huge part of Samoan culture is respecting your elders and family. When Freddie and Henry were at Leicester, the younguns couldn't do better than them in training. I think it was Johnno who recognised it. The lest 2 would bust an absolute gut, but the others would be cruising, afraid to 'show up' or 'do better' than their respected family elders.

    Apparently splitting the training apart turned them into monsters, they could compete as themselves rather as number 2, 3 or 4 brother.

    Prime example: Abendanon's rib cage. Manu ended him, Alesana had to make sure he was 6ft under.

    Fair enough if you are on the other team it is completely fair game. Training is one thing, 'doing battle' is another!!!

  • finedisregard
    2:16 PM 17/09/2014

    We're too lenient about players qualifying for test teams due to grandparents or current living status. I heard Steffon Armitage is now available for France? If I was good I'd qualify for four different countries. It doesn't make sense.

    Cheapens the jersey.

  • danknapp
    12:59 PM 17/09/2014

    They're running a similar experiment at C.E.R.N.

  • reality
    7:46 PM 16/09/2014

    I wouldn't mind seeing Alesana Tuilagi running into Manu at full speed and seeing what happens.

  • drg
    7:02 PM 16/09/2014

    Brotherly love at it's finest...

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