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Palamo handed Samoa reins

Tuesday 15th January 2008

Whistle Stop: Michael Jones is the outgoing Samoan coach

Former Samoan Under-19 and Sevens coach Niko Palamo will take over from All Blacks legend Michael Jones as the country's new national team coach.

The Samoan Rugby Union (SRU) appointed Palamo as the first full-time Samoan coach on Tuesday in the hope that he would be able to guide the Islanders to success at the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand.

The announcement was made by Samoa prime minister and SRU chairman Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi.

Jones, who resigned after a dismal World Cup campaign in France, was not a full-time coach for the Islanders over the past four years, something the SRU has cited as a major shortcoming in the past.

The SRU believes the fact that Palamo has worked extensively with the country's Under-19 teams in the past, and his managerial experience in organising the South Pacific Games, makes him the ideal candidate for the post.

In making the appointment it is recognised that the professional age has changed the mentality of players and has made dealing with them a much more challenging process. It has also extended the role of the head coach so that his management skills are now also very important.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the SRU - who have struggled with coaching depth in the past - said it was impressed by the quality of the candidates that applied for this job last year, which was an indication that Samoan rugby was heading in the right direction in terms of development.

However, the SRU has yet to appoint a management team that will work with Palamo.