Rugby: Move to establish Samoan side in Bay

Jack Sanders.

Don't be surprised to see a Hawke's Bay Samoans representative rugby team taking the field at the end of the season.

Hastings Rugby and Sports club delegate Jack Sanders told last night's Hawke's Bay Rugby Football Union annual meeting in Napier his club was keen to see Hawke's Bay follow other provinces including Wellington and Auckland and field a Hawke's Bay Samoans side.

"We understand it can happen if 75 per cent of the Bay's clubs support the move. It would be good to help Samoan players gain more exposure in sevens and fifteens," Sanders explained. "Only players who didn't make Hawke's Bay rep teams would be available and it might stop players going to play rugby league at the end of the club season."

Tamatea delegate Dennis Rosser was not sure if it would be a good move.

"Hawke's Bay has struggled for a long time to put a decent Maori team on the paddock. I would hate to see the Samoans in a similar position," he said.

Clubs will have the opportunity to vote on the recommendation at the March 9 clubs meeting.

Last year one of the Hawke's Bay Development team's two wins was a convincing victory against the Wellington Samoans.