KEY POINTS:
APIA - The Samoa Rugby Union today announced Fuimaono Titimaea Tafua as the new Manu Samoa Head Coach.
The appointment comes after the controversial sacking of former Coach Tuala Lepale Niko Palamo and his assistant oaches Fepuleai Selefuti Patu and Paepae Stan Toomalatai by the SRU.
Palamo told local media earlier this month that he had been sacked and said he was surprised at the grounds given for his dismissal, but did not elaborate.
"Because the reasons they gave are very weak and unfounded, I've sought legal advice on the matter," he said.
"I was surprised by the decision."
SRU issued a statement saying "the Samoa Rugby Union Board on 16 January made a number of hard decisions that will have far-reaching impacts on Samoa's national game at all levels."
Today the SRU announced in a statement the new coach Fuimaono, who is a former captain of the Manu Samoa 7s and XVs.
SRU says that they expect Fuimaono will pull together a cohesive and effective coaching structure with a strong focus on management and results.
In a statement from Wellington where he is preparing the team for the upcoming Sevens Tournament, Fuimaono says he is looking forward to the challenge.
Fuimaono will take charge of a Manu Samoa over the next nine months will prepare for the Pacific Nations Cup in June aiming to qualify for the Rugby World Cup in 2011.
Fuimaono is currently the Elite Development Coach for the High Performance Unit and Technical Advisor to the Manu Samoa 7s team. He will take up his new post when he returns from the Wellington leg of the IRB Sevens Series early next week.
Fuimaono is from the villages of Matautu and Moamoa. He was named Samoa's Coach of the Year at the Inaugural Samoa Sports Awards 2007 and named the 2008 Coach of the Year for Apia Rugby Union.
Tafua is married with three children.
