Newsline Samoa

27/09/2025

Manu Samoa’s World Cup Hopes on the Line After Chile Defeat
By Staff Writer.

Manu Samoa’s road to the 2027 Rugby World Cup has taken another dramatic twist after a 31–12 defeat to Chile in Viña del Mar on Saturday. The result sees Chile qualify directly for Australia, while Samoa must now fight for survival in the final qualification tournament in Dubai this November.

The aggregate score across the two-leg playoff finished 63–44 in Chile’s favour, following the 32–32 draw in Salt Lake City last weekend. Roared on by a passionate home crowd of 20,000, Chile secured their place as the 23rd confirmed team at the Rugby World Cup, joining fellow Americas representatives Argentina, Uruguay, USA, and Canada.

For Samoa, however, the defeat means their proud record of competing in every Rugby World Cup since 1991 now hangs by a thread.

Severely Depleted Squad

Samoa entered the decisive second leg heavily understrength. Ten key players were recalled to their clubs in Europe and Japan, forcing coach Lemalu Tusi Pisi to field a side missing some of its most experienced campaigners. Combined with injuries and suspensions, the team was left vulnerable against a full-strength Chilean side desperate to make history.

Despite flashes of trademark Samoan power – with tries from Melani Nanai in the first half and replacement forward Jonah Mau’u in the second – the Manu could not overcome defensive lapses and the steady boot of Chile’s Santiago Videla, who kicked 16 points on the day.

A Final Chance in Dubai

The loss does not end Samoa’s qualification hopes. As losers of the Sudamérica/Pacific playoff, they now drop into the final repechage tournament in Dubai from November 8–18, where they will face Belgium, Namibia, and either Brazil or Paraguay. The winner secures the 24th and final ticket to Rugby World Cup 2027.

For Manu Samoa, the challenge is clear: regroup, recover their full roster, and deliver when it matters most. Anything less will see Samoa miss a Rugby World Cup for the first time in their history – a blow both to the players and to the nation that has carried them for more than three decades.

📸Manu Samoa

26/09/2025

TUILAEPA MA TUSITALA
TALANOAGA MAOTA I PETESA
A*O FARILE 26 SETEMA 2025

26/09/2025

Peace Corps Samoa Swears In 23 New Volunteers For Service Across Samoa

Apia, Samoa — (press release) On Friday, September 26, twenty-three Peace Corps trainees were officially sworn in as Peace Corps Volunteers in a ceremony attended by Samoan and U.S. government officials and community partners. The event marked the completion of an intensive 11-week pre-service training program in Samoan language, culture, safety, health, and technical skills.

The 95th cohort of Peace Corps Volunteers in Samoa includes 12 Education Literacy Volunteers who will work alongside teachers and communities to support literacy and library development in primary schools, and 11 Environment Volunteers who will contribute to Ridge-to-Reef Samoa, a new Peace Corps project focused on strengthening natural resource management and building environmental resilience. The Volunteers’ work will promote priorities established by the Ministry of Education & Culture (MEC); the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE); and the Ministry of Women, Community & Social Development (MWCSD)

In attendance at the swearing-in ceremony were Aiono Dr. Alec Ekeroma, Minister of Education and Culture; Tilafono David Hunter, Associate Minister of Women, Community, and Social Development; Daniel Tarapacki, Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Samoa; and Gini Wilderson, Peace Corps Samoa Country Director who celebrated the Volunteers’ transition from trainees to active partners in Samoa’s development goals. Over the past 11 weeks, they have not only prepared for their professional roles but also engaged with communities through practical field experiences, such as visiting school libraries, teaching in primary schools, and planting trees with community partners.

Peace Corps Samoa Country Director Gini Wilderson highlighted the significance of the occasion:
“Today’s ceremony represents a milestone for these 23 dedicated individuals and for our partnership with Samoa. Whether in classrooms or communities, these Volunteers will contribute to a long history of exchanging education, skill development, and resilience-building, while deepening the bonds of friendship between Samoa and the United States.”

U.S. Chargé d’Affaires in Samoa, Daniel Tarapacki, who led the Trainees in the Oath of Service to become Volunteers, offered his congratulations and emphasized the importance of the enduring partnership:
“The Peace Corps embodies the spirit of service and collaboration. These Volunteers will live and work in villages across the country, strengthening people-to-people relationships while supporting Samoa’s priorities in education and environmental sustainability. Their work will build on decades of friendship between Samoa and the United States.”

The new Volunteers also received words of inspiration and support from the MEC Minister and the MWCSD Associate Minister in their remarks at the Swearing-In Ceremony.

U.S. President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps on March 1, 1961, to promote world peace and friendship around the world, build relationships and opportunity, and strengthen bonds among nations. Since that day, over 240,000 Americans have served in 142 countries around the world. The Samoan government invited Peace Corps Volunteers to Samoa in October of 1967. Since then, more than 2,000 volunteers have served in Samoa, supporting priorities identified by Samoan communities in education, health, youth development, and the environment. The newest group of Volunteers will continue this legacy, working side by side with villages, schools, and local organizations to address both immediate needs and long-term goals.

The ceremony concluded with the traditional oath of service, after which the Volunteers were congratulated and sent out to their new host communities across the country. Their two-year service will focus not only on education and environmental sustainability but also on strengthening mutual understanding and cultural exchange, the cornerstone of the Peace Corps’ mission.

With their swearing-in, Peace Corps Samoa continues to reaffirm its commitment to supporting Samoa’s own vision, while fostering friendships that extend far beyond the two years of service. The impact of these 23 Volunteers will be felt in classrooms where literacy thrives, in libraries that inspire, and in coastal and upland ecosystems that become more resilient for generations to come.

End Release.

25/09/2025

Voluntary Liquidation Notice: FAR TECHNOLOGY.

https://newslinesamoa.com/liquidation-notice-far-technology-co-ltd-%e9%81%a0%e6%94%be%e7%a7%91%e6%8a%80%e8%82%a1%e4%bb%bd%e6%9c%89%e9%99%90%e5%85%ac%e5%8f%b8/

25/09/2025

Voluntary Liquidation Notice of Jumbo Win and Wellway Investments.

https://newslinesamoa.com/liquidation-notice-jumbo-win-investment-limited-wellway-investments-limited/

25/09/2025

BSP Currency Exchange Rates 26 September 2025.

24/09/2025

BSP Currency Exchange Rates 25 September 2025.

24/09/2025

TALANOAGA AUTU :
TOE TEPA LU’I TAU PALOTA 2025
TUIAFELOLO JOHN STANLEY
KOMESINA FAIGA PALOTA
VAEGA FA'AI'U O VAEGA E LUA

24/09/2025

OPINION : Funding the Prime Minister’s Medical Treatment is a National Priority

https://newslinesamoa.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=14679&action=edit

24/09/2025

Voluntary Liquidation Notice.

https://newslinesamoa.com/liquidation-notice-hongkong-kt-metal-resources-co-limited/.

24/09/2025

ADVERTISEMENT: SALE OF FREEHOLD PROPERTY SITUATED AT MT VAEA IN THE DISTRICT OF TUAMASAGA UNDER THE CONDUCT OF THE REGISTRAR OF THE SUPREME COURT OF SAMOA.

24/09/2025

https://newslinesamoa.com/usp-under-caretaker-leadership/

The University of the South is under a caretaker leadership while awaiting the appointment of a new Vice Chancellor. The USP leadership transition follows a meeting of the University Council in Auc…