Seilala Mapusua

Vaovasamanaia Seilala Mapusua (born 27 February 1980)[1] is a retired Samoan rugby player who last played for the Kubota Spears of the Japanese Top League. Prior to his move to Japan in 2011, he also had long stints with the Highlanders in Super Rugby and London Irish in the Aviva Premiership. He is currently the head coach of Manu Samoa having been appointed in 2020.[2]

Seilala Mapusua
Birth nameSeilala J. Mapusua
Date of birth (1980-02-27) 27 February 1980
Place of birthMoto’otua, Samoa
Height180 cm (5 ft 11 in)
Weight106 kg (16 st 10 lb; 234 lb)
SchoolWesley College
Rugby union career
Position(s) Centre
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1998
2000–2006
2006–2011
2011–2014
2014–2016		 Counties Manukau
Otago
London Irish
Kubota Spears
Kamaishi Seawaves		 1
68
126
31
25
(60)
(105)
(60)
(5)
Super Rugby
Years Team Apps (Points)
2002–2006 Highlanders 51 (25)
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2004–2008
2006–2013		 Pacific Islanders
Samoa		 7
26		 (5)
(5)

Playing career

New Zealand

Mapusua was born in Moto’otua, Samoa,[3] but grew up in Wellington, New Zealand[4] and attended school at Wesley College in Auckland moving south to join Otago for the 2000 provincial season. His strong performances for Otago saw him earn a contract with the Highlanders for the 2002 Super 12 season and he remained a fixture for both Otago and the Highlanders through 2006. By the time he left New Zealand he was only the fifth back to have played more than 50 games for the Highlanders.

England

Mapusua joined London Irish for the 2006–07 Guinness Premiership, and immediately established himself as a top player for the side, scoring 4 tries in 22 matches. He was named the team's top newcomer for his efforts.

In 2008–09, he would have a towering season for London Irish, scoring 9 tries in 27 matches in all competitions and leading the club to the Premiership final. At the conclusion of the season he was named the PRA Players' Player of the Season.[5]

He continued as a regular starter through 2011, and by the conclusion of his stay in London had played 125 games with the side[6] including 91 Premiership matches and 23 Heineken Cup contests.

Japan

In January 2011, Mapusua announced that he was signing in Japan with the Kubota Spears for the 2011–12 season.[7]

International Play

Mapusua made his debut for Samoa against Japan on 17 June 2006 and represented Samoa in the 2007 and 2011 Rugby World Cup.

He has also been selected to the touring Pacific Islanders on three occasions.

Both of his test tries have come against Wales at the Millennium Stadium - for the Pacific Islanders on 11 November 2006, and for Samoa on 13 November 2009.

Coaching

Mapusua retired from rugby in 2016.[3] After returning to New Zealand he worked as a Coaching Development Officer for Otago Rugby.[6]

In August 2020 Mapusua was appointed coach of Manu Samoa.[8][4]

In December 2020 he was granted the Faʻamatai title of Vaovasamanaia.[9]

References
  1. "Player Profile - Seilala Mapusua". Rugby Network. 29 December 2007. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  2. "Seilala Mapusua named new Samoa head coach". Rugby World. 12 August 2020. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  3. "Manu Samoa rugby coach Seilala Mapusua settles back into island life". RNZ. 10 December 2020. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  4. Steve Hepburn (25 August 2020). "Mapusua eyes Super spot for Samoa". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  5. "Mapusua scoops Players' award". Scrum. 14 May 2009. Archived from the original on 23 October 2012.
  6. "Where are they now? - Seilala Mapusua". London Irish. 26 March 2020. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  7. "Seilala Mapusua to leave London Irish at end of the season". The Guardian. 19 January 2011. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
  8. Marc Hinton (12 August 2020). "Emotions swirl as Seilala Mapusua named new Manu Samoa coach: 'I want to make a difference'". Stuff. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  9. Vaelei Von Dincklage (15 December 2020). "Manu Samoa Coach honoured with new title at Gataivai". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
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