Our national football team defeated New Zealand’s national gridiron team, the Steel Blacks, at a one-off friendly match on Saturday, in Auckland,
Final score: American Samoa 30, NZ 10,
Steel Blacks head coach John Ikinepe said, “In the end, [America Samoa] were the more experienced side, but it was a great opportunity and experience for our boys to play against some the world’s best.”
The Steel Blacks managed to draw a large number of people out to watch the international fixture, though many admitted they didn’t fully understand the rules.
Several of the players on the NZ side were Samoan or Pacific islander: . Joseph Burke (centre), David Namua (defensive back), Eugene Wynyard (offensive linesman), Des Sefo (running back), Wes Mana’o (line-backer) and Fia Laufau Peni (line-backer).
American Samoa’s coach Ethan Lake said post-match that his side thoroughly enjoyed the game and their New Zealand tour experience.
He said fixtures like this one are a key to growing the game and both camps hope they can make the event an annual fixture moving forward.
The team is now on its way to French Polynesia for the two week football festival in Papaeete.
