Titimaea Tafua Explained

Faleomavaega Titimaea Tafua
Constituency Mp15:Aleipata-i-Lalo
Parliament15:Samoa
Term Start15:26 November 2021
Predecessor15:Fiugalu Eteuati Eteuati
Birth Date:1947 10, df=yes
Birth Place:Samoa
Ru Position:Prop
Clubs1:Vaiala[1]
Clubs2:Marist St. Joseph
Clubs3:Northern Suburbs Rugby Club
Repyears1:1981-1989
Repcaps1:18
Reppoints1:4
Coachyears1:2006-2009
Coachyears2:2009-2011
Coachyears3:2017-2018

Fuimaono Faleomavaega Titimaea "Dicky" Tafua (born 4 October 1947) is a Samoan former rugby union prop and the former coach of Manu Samoa and the Samoa Sevens rugby team. In November 2021 he was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Samoa. He is the son of former MP Tafua Kalolo and the brother of former MP Tafua Maluelue Tafua.[2]

He took up the position of coach in 2006. He is a former international for Samoa and captained the first Samoa team that played against Wales in 1989. He led Samoa to win their first Wellington sevens and Hong Kong sevens tournament in the 2006/07 season.[3] In February 2009 it was announced that Tafua would coach Manu Samoa, replacing Niko Palamo.[4] [5] His term in the role expired in November 2011.[6]

In June 2014 Tafua was appointed interim coach of the Samoa Sevens.[7] The appointment was made permanent in August 2014.[8] In June 2015 his contract was not renewed.[9]

In September 2017 he was appointed Manu Samoa coach for a second time for a two-year term.[10] In September 2018 his contract was terminated early and the position was readvertised.[11] [12] A subsequent claim for unfair dismissal was dismissed by the court.[13]

Political career

In October 2021 Tafua announced he would be contesting the 2021 Aleipata-Itupa-i-Lalo by-election as a candidate for the FAST Party.[14] [15] He won by over 200 votes.[16]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The poor treatment of Fuimaono Titimaea Tafua. 2021-04-29. Samoa Observer.
  2. Web site: Former Manu coach follows father's political footsteps . Samoa Observer . Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi . 24 October 2021 . 5 December 2021.
  3. News: Determined Samoa finally taste sevens victory . 5 February 2007 . 12 October 2021 . The New Zealand Herald.
  4. News: International Rugby Board - News . 3 February 2009 . 28 May 2010.
  5. Web site: Rugby: Samoa names new coach after controversial sacking . New Zealand Herald . 3 February 2009 . 26 November 2021.
  6. Web site: Sport: Samoa Rugby Union advertises for new coaching staff . RNZ . 4 November 2011 . 26 November 2021.
  7. Web site: Sport: Tafua appointed interim Samoa 7s coach . RNZ . 13 June 2014 . 26 November 2021.
  8. Web site: Sport: Fuimaono back as 7's coach . RNZ . 28 August 2014 . 26 November 2021.
  9. Web site: Sport: Samoa Rugby Union to appoint new sevens coaches . RNZ . 1 June 2015 . 26 November 2021.
  10. Web site: Sport: Tafua vows to restore trust within Samoan rugby . RNZ . 19 September 2017 . 26 November 2021.
  11. Web site: Sport: Manu Samoa coaching job to be readvertised . RNZ . 28 August 2018 . 26 November 2021.
  12. Web site: Sport: Manu Samoa coach unhappy with World Rugby interference . RNZ . 5 September 2018 . 26 November 2021.
  13. Web site: Samoa court dismisses civil claim by former Manu Samoa head coach . RNZ . 8 August 2019 . 26 November 2021.
  14. Web site: F.A.S.T. unveils star recruit; by-election battles intensify . Samoa Observer . Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi . 12 October 2021 . 12 October 2021.
  15. Web site: Former Manu Samoa Coach Runs under FAST Ticket for Aleipata By-Election . Samoa Global News . BJ Telefoni Lima . 11 October 2021 . 12 October 2021.
  16. Web site: Faleomavaega sweeps Aleipata-i-Lalo seat . Samoa Observer . 26 November 2021 . Matai'a Lanuola Tusani T - Ah Tong . 26 November 2021.