London Irish flanker Ofisa Treviranus is to captain Samoa in their home rugby union Test against the All Blacks on Wednesday next week.
The match, at Apia Park in the Samoan capital, is to be the first Test played by the All Blacks in the Pacific Islands and will be one of the most historic in Samoa’s rugby union history.
Treviranus said he was surprised when his appointment was announced during a meeting between Samoa Rugby Union and the squad on Sunday.
Photo: EPA
“When I heard that, I was a little nervous,” he said. “I thank God for this opportunity. It’s not going to be an easy one. I didn’t expect this to be honest.”
The All Blacks have played matches in Fiji, most recently in 1984, but the internationals were not awarded Test status. New Zealand Rugby has long been under pressure to allow the All Blacks to play a Test match in Samoa, at least partly in recognition of the many players of Samoan heritage who have worn the All Blacks jersey.
They have been reluctant to do so in the past, siting scheduling, commercial, logistical and other difficulties, but plans for the July 8 Test began to come together last year when the prime ministers of New Zealand and Samoa added their voices to calls for a Test to be played.
New Zealand Rugby was able to find room in a tight schedule in World Cup year for the midweek match, which will be the biggest sports event staged in Samoa. The match is a sellout and accommodation in Apia is almost unavailable as many New Zealand-based Samoans return to their homeland to watch the historic encounter.
Treviranus will be under considerable pressure as the captain of a Samoa team that has yet to be named. New Zealand are also yet to confirm the All Blacks lineup for the match.
“It is a great honor to be asked to captain this side as we prepare to host the All Blacks,” Treviranus said. “I know that my primary job is to earn my own selection into the starting team and then from there I will do my best to provide the leadership that’s been asked of me.”
Treviranus was a member of the Samoa sevens team that won the world title in 2010, before breaking into XV format, first signing for the Irish club Connaght before joining London Irish.
“Ofisa is a strong force in the Manu Samoa environment, and he has the respect of the players on and off the field,” coach Stephen Betham said. “Ofisa has previously captained the Samoa sevens team and was a cornerstone player of the sevens team that won the Sevens World Series in 2010. We congratulate him and we know that he will take this responsibility with great dignity and humility.”
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