Perez boosts Manu’s chances

By Sarafina Sanerivi 25 June 2016, 12:00AM

The hard work has been done.  And in just a few hours, we will find out who will win the highly-anticipated match between the Ikale Tahi and the Manu Samoa. 

A lot has been said about this match. And it has been promised to be a battle of the titans. 

And the Samoan veteran Rugby player, Paul Perez is ready to “rock it for Samoa” when the game starts at 3:10pm this afternoon. 

Perez is joining the team for first time for this campaign, and he is thrilled to be back.

“I’m very pleased to be back with the team and with the boys,” he said. “It’s always a privilege for me to join the team and to play for our country. This is an important game and I know we must win this game today.  “We’ve let our people down but we have used that as motivation preparing for the game with Tonga.”

Perez has no regrets for not joining the team in the previous matches. 

“I had a lot of faith in these players and I know that they did the best they could to win but that’s all done. It’s time to move forward and focus on this game.”

Before the match with Georgia, Coach Namulauulu said that Paul Perez was not available due to an injury. 

However, Perez had confirmed that he has fully recovered from that.

“I have recovered from my shoulder injury and being here has given me extra strength to play for my family, country and people. I started playing rugby here and this is where it all started for me, so I am very blessed to be back and to play for Samoa. I am hundred percent healthy and ready for this game.”

Again, Paul said that it is a must for them to win this match. 

“It’s very important for us to win. We are looking at the bigger picture here, and that is to get good points for next year and to qualify for the World Cup.”

As one of the experienced players in the team, the 29-year-old said he enjoys working with the younger players in the team. “It’s different working with them,” said Perez. “And it’s very exciting for me as well; I mean its different vibe from working with the old players as well. They’ve got good potential and I can see why they were selected. They earned their spot and I think that they are very talented.” Said Perez, Manu Samoa has bigger chances of winning against Tonga today. 

“We are confident in our preparations, and we’ve prepared very well, individually and as a whole team as well. Now we just have to pray to God to provide us with the strength and energy to execute our plan and make our nation proud. Preparations have been really good and we are looking forward to the game. 

“We are ready to rock,” he said. 

In his last comments, he wanted to ask the country and supporters to come out and support the boys in blue at the Apia Park this afternoon.

By Sarafina Sanerivi 25 June 2016, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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