# Samoa national rugby union team

The Samoa national rugby union team represents the Samoa Rugby Union in men's international rugby union. They are also known as "Manu Samoa", which is thought to derive from the name of a Samoan warrior. They perform a traditional Samoan challenge called the siva tau before each game. Samoa Rugby Union were formerly members of the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance (PIRA) along with Fiji and Tonga. They are ranked 13th in the world.
Rugby was introduced to Samoa in the early 1920s and a governing body was soon formed. The first international was played as Western Samoa against Fiji in August 1924. Along with Tonga, these nations would meet regularly and eventually contest competitions such as the Pacific Tri-Nations – with Western Samoa winning the first of these. From 1924 to 1997 Samoa was known as Western Samoa.
Samoa have been to every Rugby World Cup since the 1991 tournament. That tournament, along with the 1995 competition, saw them make the quarterfinals. Under their new coach, former New Zealand and Samoan international player Michael Jones, Samoa competed in the 2007 Rugby World Cup. However, Samoa had a dismal World Cup campaign, winning only one match and finishing fourth in their group. Samoa showed an improved performance at the 2011 Rugby World Cup, winning two matches by comfortable margins, and losing close matches to South Africa and Wales.

## History

The Marist Brothers brought rugby to Western Samoa in 1924 and The Western Samoa Rugby Football Union was formed in 1924. On 18 August 1924, Western Samoa played its first international against Fiji in the capital Apia, the visitors winning 6–0. The match was played at 7 am to allow the Samoans time to get to work afterwards and was played on a pitch with a large tree on the halfway line. The return match was won 9–3 by Samoa to draw the series.
In 1954 Western Samoa visited both Pacific Island neighbors Fiji and Tonga, but had to wait a further 20 years before a tour of New Zealand took place. The Samoans won one of eight matches on that tour.
The traditional tri-series between Tonga, Fiji and Western Samoa was established in 1982 with Western Samoa winning the first tournament. Wales visited Western Samoa and won the test 32–16 at Apia. The tour led to a return visit to Wales which brought Western Samoa out of International limbo, although Western Samoa were not invited to the first Rugby World Cup in 1987.
The following year a 14-match tour of Europe took place before a World Cup elimination series in Tokyo, which gave Western Samoa a place in the 1991 Rugby World Cup in Britain. They made a huge impact. After sweeping aside Wales 16–13 in Cardiff and defeating Argentina 35–12, and narrowly losing 3–9 to eventual champions Australia in their pool match, Western Samoa, a country with a population of 160,000, found itself in the quarterfinals against Scotland at Murrayfield. The Scots won comfortably 28–6, but the Samoans were clearly the personality team of the tournament. One Welsh fan ruefully remarked after Wales's defeat, "It's a good job we weren't playing all of Samoa."
Over the next two years, the side had a number of notable wins. The most outstanding achievements were in Sevens where it won the 1993 Hong Kong and 1992 Middlesex Sevens. The 1995 Rugby World Cup in South Africa proved that the team belonged in top company. They again reached the quarterfinals after wins over Argentina and Italy, but were beaten 42–14 by the eventual winners South Africa. After the Cup, Manu Samoa made a 13-match tour of England and Scotland, drawing 15–15 with the Scots and going down 27–9 to England.
With the advent of professional rugby in 1995 it was vital for Manu Samoa to develop a new administrative structure. This was made possible with Fay Richwhite and the Western Samoan Rugby Union joining forces to form Manu Samoa Rugby Limited. Fay Richwhite invested $5 million from 1995 to 2004 into Samoan rugby.
Samoa emerged from the 1999 World Cup with its honor intact after another shock 38–31 victory over host nation Wales in the pool stages. They again lost out to Scotland in the quarterfinal play-off.
Manu Samoa qualified for the 2003 World Cup with a 17–16 loss against Fiji, Earl Va'a missing an injury-time penalty. They recovered to beat Tonga both home and away and avenged that Fijian defeat with a 22–12 win in Nadi. They ultimately had to settle for second place in the round robin, behind Fiji on points difference, and a place in the tougher of the two Rugby World Cup 2003 pools alongside automatic qualifiers England and South Africa. In one of the games of the tournament, they led eventual champions England for most of the game before losing 35–22.
Samoa qualified for the 2011 World Cup after beating Papua New Guinea 73–12 in Port Moresby on 18 July 2009. They won 188–19 on aggregate over two matches against Papua New Guinea, having won 115–7 at Apia Park the previous week.
Samoa began their 2011 World Cup campaign preparation with a flying start, after registering an upset against No.2 ranked Australia with a four-try-to-two win of 32–23.
In November 2017, Samoa's prime minister and SRU chairman Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi announced that the organisation was bankrupt, although those claims were denied by world governing body World Rugby.

## Overall record

Men's World Rugby Rankingsvte Top 20 as of 17 March 2025 :
| Rank | Change | Team | Points |
| 1 | | South Africa | 092.78 |
| 2 | | New Zealand | 090.36 |
| 3 | | Ireland | 089.83 |
| 4 | | France | 089.51 |
| 5 | | Argentina | 084.97 |
| 6 | | England | 084.73 |
| 7 | | Scotland | 082.36 |
| 8 | | Australia | 081.52 |
| 9 | | Fiji | 080.07 |
| 10 | | Italy | 077.77 |
| 11 | | Georgia | 074.69 |
| 12 | | Wales | 073.39 |
| 13 | | Japan | 072.95 |
| 14 | | Samoa | 072.68 |
| 15 | | United States | 070.02 |
| 16 | 1 | Spain | 067.34 |
| 17 | 1 | Uruguay | 067.06 |
| 18 | 2 | Portugal | 066.44 |
| 19 | | Tonga | 065.46 |
| 20 | | Romania | 064.61 |
| 21 | | Chile | 061.72 |
| 22 | 4 | Belgium | 059.98 |
| 23 | 1 | Hong Kong | 059.49 |
| 24 | 1 | Canada | 059.18 |
| 25 | | Namibia | 057.87 |
| 26 | 1 | Zimbabwe | 057.16 |
| 27 | 3 | Netherlands | 057.01 |
| 28 | | Brazil | 056.53 |
| 29 | | Switzerland | 055.26 |
| 30 | | Sweden | 054.10 |
* ↑ Change from the previous week
Samoa's historical rankings :
Graphs are unavailable due to technical issues. Updates on reimplementing the Graph extension, which will be known as the Chart extension, can be found on Phabricator and on MediaWiki.org.
See or edit source data. :
Below is table of the representative rugby matches played by a Samoa national XV at test level up until 21 September 2024.
| Opponent | Played | Won | Lost | Drawn | Win % | For | Aga | Diff |
| Argentina | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 60% | 121 | 101 | +20 |
| Australia | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 16.66% | 73 | 238 | −165 |
| Australia A | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | 31 | 26 | +5 |
| Barbarians | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.00% | 24 | 27 | −3 |
| Belgium | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | 37 | 8 | +29 |
| Canada | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | 169 | 103 | +66 |
| Chile | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | 43 | 10 | +33 |
| Cook Islands | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | 102 | 31 | +71 |
| England | 9 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0.00% | 131 | 310 | −179 |
| Fiji | 56 | 21 | 32 | 3 | 37.5% | 979 | 1,144 | −165 |
| Fiji XV | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0.00% | 20 | 58 | −38 |
| France | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0.00% | 49 | 156 | −107 |
| Georgia | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 33.33% | 135 | 110 | +25 |
| Germany | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | 108 | 43 | +65 |
| Ireland | 8 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 12.5% | 121 | 273 | −152 |
| Italy | 9 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 66.67% | 225 | 183 | +42 |
| Japan | 19 | 12 | 7 | 0 | 63.16% | 574 | 410 | +164 |
| South Korea | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | 74 | 7 | +67 |
| Namibia | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | 89 | 25 | +64 |
| New Caledonia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | 28 | 6 | +22 |
| New Zealand | 7 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0.00% | 72 | 411 | −339 |
| Papua New Guinea | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | 188 | 19 | +169 |
| Romania | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 33.33% | 59 | 49 | +10 |
| Russia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | 34 | 9 | +25 |
| Scotland | 12 | 1 | 10 | 1 | 8.33% | 193 | 332 | −139 |
| South Africa | 9 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0.00% | 99 | 431 | −332 |
| Spain | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | 62 | 40 | +22 |
| Tahiti | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | 33 | 11 | +22 |
| Tonga | 70 | 39 | 27 | 4 | 55.71% | 1,334 | 1,045 | +289 |
| United States | 8 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 75% | 174 | 141 | +33 |
| Uruguay | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | 60 | 13 | +47 |
| Wales | 10 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 40.00% | 180 | 235 | −55 |
| West Germany | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | 54 | 9 | +45 |
| Total | 271 | 123 | 139 | 9 | 45.39% | 5,675 | 6,014 | −339 |

### World Cup record

| Rugby World Cup record | Rugby World Cup record | Rugby World Cup record | Rugby World Cup record | Rugby World Cup record | Rugby World Cup record | Rugby World Cup record | Rugby World Cup record | Rugby World Cup record | Rugby World Cup record | Qualification | Qualification | Qualification | Qualification | Qualification | Qualification | Qualification |
| Year | Round | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | Squad | Head coach | Pos | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA |
| 1987 | Not invited | Not invited | Not invited | Not invited | Not invited | Not invited | Not invited | Not invited | Not invited | Not invited | Not invited | Not invited | Not invited | Not invited | Not invited | Not invited |
| 1991 | Quarter-finals | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 60 | 72 | Squad | P. Schuster | 1st | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 123 | 21 |
| 1995 | Quarter-finals | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 110 | 130 | Squad | P. Schuster | Automatically qualified | Automatically qualified | Automatically qualified | Automatically qualified | Automatically qualified | Automatically qualified | Automatically qualified |
| 1999 | Quarter-final play-offs | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 117 | 107 | Squad | B. Williams | 3rd | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 59 | 71 |
| 2003 | Pool stage | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 138 | 117 | Squad | J. Boe | 2nd | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 96 | 58 |
| 2007 | Pool stage | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 69 | 143 | Squad | M. Jones | 1st | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 133 | 78 |
| 2011 | Pool stage | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 91 | 49 | Squad | T. Tafua | 1st | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 188 | 19 |
| 2015 | Pool stage | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 69 | 124 | Squad | S. Betham | Automatically qualified | Automatically qualified | Automatically qualified | Automatically qualified | Automatically qualified | Automatically qualified | Automatically qualified |
| 2019 | Pool stage | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 58 | 128 | Squad | S. Jackson | 3rd | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 196 | 47 |
| 2023 | Pool stage | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 92 | 75 | Squad | S. Mapusua | 1st | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 79 | 28 |
| 2027 | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined |
| 2031 | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined |
| Total | — | 36 | 15 | 0 | 21 | 804 | 977 | — | — | — | 24 | 17 | 0 | 7 | 874 | 422 |
| Champions Runners-up Third place Fourth place | Home venue |
In one of the scenes of the feature film, Invictus, Western Samoa can be seen playing South Africa in the 1995 Rugby World Cup.

### Pacific Nations Cup

Samoa previously competed in the Pacific Tri-Nations winning 11 tournaments. The Pacific Nations Cup replaced the Tri-Nations tournament in 2006. Samoa have won four tournaments.
| Tournament | Won | Drawn | Lost | Samoa finish |
| 2006 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2nd / 5 |
| 2007 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 3rd / 6 |
| 2008 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 3rd / 6 |
| 2009 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3rd / 5 |
| 2010 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1st / 4 |
| 2011 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3rd / 4 |
| 2012 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1st / 4 |
| 2013 | — | — | — | DNP |
| 2014 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1st / 3 |
| 2015 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2nd / 6 |
| 2016 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2nd / 3 |
| 2017 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3rd / 3 |
| 2018 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4th / 4 |
| 2019 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4th / 6 |
| 2022 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1st / 4 |
| 2024 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3rd / 6 |
| Total | 25 | 2 | 21 | 4 titles |

### Wins against Tier 1 nations

Samoa have recorded 17 wins against tier 1 nations. In addition, Samoa drew with Scotland 15–15 on the 18 November 1995 at Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh, Scotland.

## Players
### Current squad

On 14 August, Samoa named a 31-player squad for the opening test of the 2024 World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup against Fiji.
After initially not being named in the squad, players Lalomilo Lalomilo (centre), Brook Toomalatai (prop), Jonah Mau'u (flanker) and Danny Tusitala (scrum-half) were all named in the opening round of the tournament.
Head coach: Mahonri Schwalger
* Caps updated: 14 August 2024 (pre-game vs. Fiji)
| Player | Position | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Club/province |
| Sama Malolo | Hooker | (1998-02-19) 19 February 1998 (age 27) | 9 | Moana Pasifika |
| Luteru Tolai | Hooker | (1998-06-01) 1 June 1998 (age 26) | 3 | Biarritz |
| Andrew Tuala | Hooker | (1991-03-09) 9 March 1991 (age 34) | 3 | Hunter Wildfires |
| Lolani Faleiva | Prop | (1999-02-18) 18 February 1999 (age 26) | 2 | Taradale |
| Marco Fepulea'i | Prop | (1995-04-25) 25 April 1995 (age 29) | 3 | Colomiers |
| Aki Seiuli | Prop | (1992-12-22) 22 December 1992 (age 32) | 5 | Dragons |
| Brook Toomalatai | Prop | | 0 | New Brighton RC |
| Kalolo Tuiloma | Prop | (1990-06-24) 24 June 1990 (age 34) | 4 | Taradale |
| Tietie Tuimauga | Prop | (1993-08-05) 5 August 1993 (age 31) | 6 | US Montauban |
| Michael Curry | Lock | (1994-03-02) 2 March 1994 (age 31) | 5 | Moana Pasifika |
| Theo McFarland (c) | Lock | (1995-10-16) 16 October 1995 (age 29) | 14 | Saracens |
| Ben Nee-Nee | Lock | (1993-05-12) 12 May 1993 (age 31) | 5 | Kamaishi Seawaves |
| Sam Slade | Lock | (1997-08-28) 28 August 1997 (age 27) | 8 | Moana Pasifika |
| Senio Toleafoa | Lock | (1993-08-26) 26 August 1993 (age 31) | 5 | Nevers |
| Iakopo Mapu | Back row | (1997-11-04) 4 November 1997 (age 27) | 4 | Moana Pasifika |
| Izaiha Moore-Aiono | Back row | (2000-03-03) 3 March 2000 (age 25) | 1 | Ampthill |
| Jonah Mau'u | Back row | (1998-07-28) 28 July 1998 (age 26) | 0 | New Orleans Gold |
| Olajuwon Noa | Back row | (1989-12-28) 28 December 1989 (age 35) | 6 | New Orleans Gold |
| Taleni Seu | Back row | (1993-12-26) 26 December 1993 (age 31) | 9 | Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi |
| Murphy Taramai | Back row | (1992-08-17) 17 August 1992 (age 32) | 1 | Shimizu Koto Blue Sharks |
| Fred Tuilagi | Back row | (1997-06-09) 9 June 1997 (age 27) | 0 | Bedford Blues |
| Melani Matavao | Scrum-half | (1995-11-19) 19 November 1995 (age 29) | 17 | Moana Pasifika |
| Jonathan Taumateine | Scrum-half | (1996-09-28) 28 September 1996 (age 28) | 16 | Moana Pasifika |
| Danny Tusitala | Scrum-half | (1991-10-18) 18 October 1991 (age 33) | 2 | Old Glory DC |
| Rodney Iona | Fly-half | (1991-08-17) 17 August 1991 (age 33) | 6 | New Orleans Gold |
| D'Angelo Leuila | Fly-half | (1997-01-18) 18 January 1997 (age 28) | 26 | Moana Pasifika |
| Afa Moleli | Fly-half | | 2 | University of Auckland |
| Stacey Ili | Centre | (1991-05-11) 11 May 1991 (age 33) | 7 | Thames Valley |
| Alapati Leiua | Centre | (1988-09-21) 21 September 1988 (age 36) | 32 | Ponsonby |
| Lalomilo Lalomilo | Centre | (1999-02-12) 12 February 1999 (age 26) | 0 | Moana Pasifika |
| Tomasi Alosio | Wing | (1992-01-26) 26 January 1992 (age 33) | 4 | Anthem RC |
| Pisi Leilua | Wing | (1995-05-12) 12 May 1995 (age 29) | 1 | Waipu |
| Owen Niue | Wing | | 1 | Afega |
| Tuna Tuitama | Wing | (2000-02-25) 25 February 2000 (age 25) | 0 | Moana Pasifika |
| Danny Toala | Fullback | (1999-03-26) 26 March 1999 (age 25) | 14 | Moana Pasifika |

## Player records
### Most caps

| # | Player | Pos | Span | Mat | Start | Sub | Won | Lost | Draw | % |
| 1 | Brian Lima | Wing | 1991–2007 | 65 | 62 | 3 | 32 | 31 | 2 | 50.76 |
| 2 | To'o Vaega | Centre | 1986–2001 | 61 | 56 | 5 | 35 | 25 | 1 | 58.19 |
| 3 | Semo Sititi | Flanker | 1999–2009 | 59 | 50 | 9 | 33 | 26 | 0 | 55.93 |
| 4 | Census Johnston | Prop | 2005–2017 | 57 | 43 | 14 | 25 | 31 | 1 | 44.73 |
| 5 | David Lemi | Wing | 2004–2017 | 54 | 46 | 8 | 21 | 31 | 2 | 40.74 |
| 6 | Jack Lam | Flanker | 2013-2022 | 44 | 39 | 5 | 14 | 28 | 2 | 41.66 |
| 6 | Zak Taulafo | Prop | 2009–2016 | 44 | 39 | 5 | 20 | 22 | 2 | 47.72 |
| 8 | Opeta Palepoi | Lock | 1998–2005 | 43 | 30 | 13 | 24 | 19 | 0 | 55.81 |
| 9 | Tusi Pisi | Fly-half | 2011–2019 | 42 | 38 | 4 | 15 | 26 | 1 | 36.90 |
| 9 | Ofisa Treviranus | Flanker | 2009–2018 | 42 | 32 | 15 | 17 | 24 | 1 | 41.66 |
Last updated: United States vs Samoa, 21 September 2024. Statistics include officially capped matches only.

### Most tries

| # | Player | Pos | Span | Mat | Start | Sub | Pts | Tries |
| 1 | Brian Lima | Wing | 1991–2007 | 65 | 62 | 3 | 140 | 29 |
| 2 | Alesana Tuilagi | Wing | 2002–2015 | 37 | 35 | 2 | 90 | 18 |
| 3 | Semo Sititi | Flanker | 1999–2009 | 59 | 50 | 9 | 85 | 17 |
| 4 | Afato So'oalo | Wing | 1996–2001 | 20 | 18 | 2 | 80 | 16 |
| 5 | Lome Fa'atau | Wing | 2000–2007 | 35 | 31 | 4 | 70 | 14 |
| 5 | To'o Vaega | Centre | 1986–2001 | 61 | 56 | 5 | 79 | 14 |
| 7 | David Lemi | Wing | 2004–2017 | 54 | 46 | 8 | 65 | 13 |
| 8 | Ed Fidow | Wing | 2018–2023 | 21 | 16 | 5 | 60 | 12 |
| 9 | George Leaupepe | Centre | 1995–2005 | 26 | 23 | 3 | 50 | 10 |
| 10 | Tupo Fa'amasino | Centre | 1988–1996 | 20 | 20 | 0 | 52 | 9 |
| 10 | Alapati Leiua | Centre | 2013– | 36 | 33 | 3 | 45 | 9 |
| 10 | Elvis Seveali'i | Centre | 2000–2007 | 20 | 16 | 4 | 45 | 9 |
Last updated: United States vs Samoa, 21 September 2024. Statistics include officially capped matches only.

### Most points

| # | Player | Pos | Span | Mat | Pts | Tries | Conv | Pens | Drop |
| 1 | Tusi Pisi | Fly-half | 2011–2019 | 42 | 245 | 2 | 29 | 57 | 2 |
| 2 | Earl Va'a | Fly-half | 1996–2003 | 28 | 174 | 3 | 33 | 31 | 0 |
| 3 | Silao Leaega | Fullback | 1997–2002 | 19 | 145 | 2 | 21 | 31 | 0 |
| 4 | Brian Lima | Wing | 1991–2007 | 65 | 140 | 29 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | Darren Kellett | Fly-half | 1993–1995 | 13 | 137 | 2 | 14 | 31 | 2 |
| 6 | Roger Warren | Fly-half | 2004–2008 | 12 | 119 | 0 | 13 | 29 | 2 |
| 7 | D'Angelo Leuila | Fly-half | 2016- | 29 | 106 | 2 | 21 | 16 | 2 |
| 7 | Gavin Williams | Centre | 2007–2010 | 16 | 106 | 5 | 18 | 15 | 0 |
| 9 | Tanner Vili | Fly-half | 1999–2006 | 31 | 99 | 4 | 20 | 13 | 0 |
| 10 | Alesana Tuilagi | Wing | 2002–2015 | 37 | 90 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Last updated: United States vs Samoa, 21 September 2024. Statistics include officially capped matches only.

### Most matches as captain

| # | Player | Pos | Span | Mat | Won | Lost | Draw | % | Pts | Tries |
| 1 | Semo Sititi | Flanker | 2000–2007 | 39 | 19 | 20 | 0 | 48.71 | 45 | 9 |
| 2 | Pat Lam | Number 8 | 1995–1999 | 23 | 8 | 13 | 2 | 39.13 | 10 | 2 |
| 3 | David Lemi | Wing | 2012–2017 | 21 | 9 | 10 | 2 | 47.61 | 35 | 7 |
| 4 | Peter Fatialofa | Prop | 1990–1995 | 16 | 11 | 5 | 0 | 68.75 | 9 | 2 |
| 5 | Mahonri Schwalger | Hooker | 2009–2011 | 13 | 5 | 8 | 0 | 38.46 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | Chris Vui | Lock | 2017–2023 | 11 | 4 | 7 | 0 | 37.50 | 5 | 1 |
| 7 | Michael Alaalatoa | Prop | 2019-2023 | 10 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 77.00 | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | Jack Lam | Flanker | 2018–2019 | 9 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 12.50 | 15 | 3 |
| 9 | George Stowers | Number 8 | 2008–2009 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 57.14 | 10 | 2 |
| 10 | Theo McFarland | Lock | 2024- | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 66.00 | 0 | 0 |
Last updated: United States vs Samoa, 21 September 2024. Statistics include officially capped matches only.

### Most points in a match

| # | Player | Pos | Pts | Tries | Conv | Pens | Drop | Opposition | Venue | Date |
| 1 | Gavin Williams | Centre | 30 | 2 | 10 | 0 | 0 | Papua New Guinea | Apia | 11/07/2009 |
| 2 | Roger Warren | Fly-half | 24 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | Tonga | Apia | 29/05/2004 |
| 3 | Andrew Aiolupo | Fullback | 23 | 1 | 8 | 1 | 0 | South Korea | Tokyo | 08/04/1990 |
| 3 | Silao Leaega | Fullback | 23 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 0 | Japan | Wrexham | 03/10/1999 |
| 3 | Toa Samania | Fullback | 23 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 0 | Italy | Apia | 08/07/2000 |
| 6 | Darren Kellett | Fly-half | 22 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 1 | Tonga | Moamoa | 04/06/1994 |
| 6 | Ahsee Tuala | Fullback | 22 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 0 | Germany | Heidelberg | 14/07/2018 |
| 8 | To'o Vaega | Centre | 21 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 0 | Fiji | Apia | 01/06/1991 |
| 8 | Earl Va'a | Fly-half | 21 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 0 | Georgia | Perth | 19/10/2003 |
| 8 | Roger Warren | Fly-half | 21 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 1 | Fiji | Apia | 09/07/2005 |
Last updated: United States vs Samoa, 21 September 2024. Statistics include officially capped matches only.

### Most tries in a match

| # | Player | Pos | Pts | Tries | Conv | Pens | Drop | Opposition | Venue | Date |
| 1 | Elvis Seveali'i | Wing | 20 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Japan | Apia | 10/06/2000 |
| 1 | Alesana Tuilagi | Wing | 20 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Tonga | Apia | 02/07/2005 |
| 1 | Esera Lauina | Wing | 20 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Papua New Guinea | Apia | 11/07/2009 |
| 1 | Robert Lilomaiava | Wing | 20 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Canada | Colwyn Bay | 09/11/2012 |
| 5 | Tupo Fa'amasino | Wing | 12 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | South Korea | Tokyo | 08/04/1990 |
| 5 | Brian Lima | Centre | 12 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Fiji | Apia | 01/06/1991 |
| 5 | Afato So'oalo | Wing | 15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Tonga | Apia | 28/06/1997 |
| 5 | Dominic Feau'nati | Wing | 15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Namibia | Windhoek | 12/07/2003 |
| 5 | Mikaele Pesamino | Wing | 15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Papua New Guinea | Port Moresby | 18/07/2009 |
| 5 | Alesana Tuilagi | Wing | 15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Namibia | Rotorua | 14/09/2011 |
| 5 | Ed Fidow | Wing | 15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Germany | Apia | 30/06/2018 |
Last updated: United States vs Samoa, 21 September 2024. Statistics include officially capped matches only.

## Coaches

| Period | Name | Nationality |
| 197?–19?? | Keli Tuatagaloa | Samoa |
| 198?–198? | Paul Wallwork | Samoa |
| 198?–1988 | Richard Cook | New Zealand |
| 1989–1995 | Peter Schuster | Samoa |
| 1996–1999 | Bryan Williams | New Zealand |
| 2000–2003 | John Boe | New Zealand |
| 2004–2007 | Michael Jones | New Zealand |
| 2008–2009 | Niko Palamo | Samoa |
| 2009–2011 | Titimaea Tafua | Samoa |
| 2011 | Scott Wisemantel | Australia |
| 2012–2015 | Stephen Betham | Samoa |
| 2016–2017 | Alama Ieremia | New Zealand |
| 2017–2018 | Titimaea Tafua | Samoa |
| 2018–2020 | Steve Jackson | New Zealand |
| 2020–2023 | Seilala Mapusua | Samoa |
| 2024–2025 | Mahonri Schwalger | Samoa |

## New Zealand connection

Western Samoa's triumph in the 1991 Rugby World Cup was inspired by their assistant coach Bryan Williams, who was a New Zealand-born (of Samoan descent) All Black great of the 1970s. The 1991 Samoan World Cup team included many New Zealand born or raised players; the catalyst was Auckland prop Peter Fatialofa, who in 1989, became the first major New Zealand-based player to play for Samoa. By the time of the 1991 World Cup several other New Zealand-born Samoans like Pat Lam, Stephen Bachop, Frank Bunce and Apollo Perelini had joined him. New Zealand born players with Samoan parentage have played for Samoa, such as Earl Va'a, Pat Lam and Lome Fa'atau.
The rugby relationship that exists between New Zealand and Samoa is a complex one. Close ties exist between the two countries, these bonds first being formed with the start of mass Polynesian migration to New Zealand in the latter half of the twentieth century. At the 2007 World Cup, there were 14 New Zealand-born players in the Samoan squad. The only team with more foreign born players in their squad was Italy who had 15.

## Strips

Manu Samoa play in blue and white uniforms, with the home strip consisting of blue jerseys, white shorts and blue socks and the away kit being with the colours reversed. Since 2007, the flag of Samoa has been featured on the left sleeve and pe'a-like patterns were incorporated into the jerseys. Sponsored logos appear on jerseys for matches other than the Rugby World Cup, where branding, except for equipment manufacturers, is not allowed.
| Period | Kit manufacturer | Shirt sponsor |
| 1986–1988 | Umbro | No shirt sponsor |
| 1988–1992 | Canterbury | No shirt sponsor |
| 1992–1994 | Canterbury | Telecom New Zealand |
| 1994–1996 | Canterbury | Vailima |
| 1996–1998 | Reebok | Vailima |
| 1998 | Reebok | Newcall |
| 1999 | Adidas | Newcall |
| 1999–2003 | Adidas | No shirt sponsor |
| 2004–2005 | Puma | No shirt sponsor |
| 2005–2009 | Puma | Samoa International Finance Authority |
| 2010–2011 | KooGa | Samoa International Finance Authority |
| 2012–2013 | BLK | Digicel |
| 2014–2015 | Canterbury^b | Cromwell Property Group (front), Redefine Properties (back) |
| 2015 | BLK | Cromwell Property Group (front), Redefine Properties (back) |
| 2016 | BLK | Bluesky Communications |
| 2016–2017 | LE Sportswear | Bluesky Communications |
| 2017 | LE Sportswear | Magnum Hire (front),^c Henderson Cars (back) ^c Invest Samoa ^d |
| 2018–2021 | BLK | Grey Investment Group |
| 2021 | Dynasty Sport^e | |
| 2021-2022 | Castore | Grey Investment Group |
| 2022 | Castore | Aramis Rugby (front) Samoa IBFC (back) |
| 2023-2024 | Macron | |
| 2024- | Samurai Sportswear | |
| ^b Canterbury brand apparel was supplied for the 2014 end-of-year tour. ^c Sponsors worn during the Pasifika Challenge double-header. ^d Invest Samoa sponsored Samoa during the 2017 end-of-year rugby union tests. ^e Lakapi Samoa partners with Dynasty Sport and reveals Jersey for the June-July 2021 Test Series. |||