Spiritual boost for Manu Samoa

Father Ilalio Fulu meets with the Manu Samoa rugby team as they attend church on the island of 'Upolu, Samoa. Photo / Dean Purcell, New Zealand Herald

Manu Samoa have prepared for their battle against the All Blacks with hymns and prayers at a service at Our Lady of The Rosary church today.

The magnificent Catholic church in Siusega, on the outskirts of Apia, is in the parish of Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi, who got a pleasant surprise when told the entire squad of 40 players, plus management, would be attending the 8.30am Mass.

Sunday church day on the island of 'Upolu, Samoa where the All Blacks will play Manu Samoa. Photo / Dean Purcell, New Zealand Herald

He walked in after the players and management, dressed in their formal attire of dark blue lava lava and light blue shirt, had taken their seats to applause from the congregation.

They sat in two neat blocks near the front of the church, either side of the centre aisle.

After entering the church to hymn How Great Thou Art, sung in Samoan by a choir, parish priest Ilalio Fulu gave a lively address to the players, asking them if they were ready for Wednesday's historic match - the first time the All Blacks have played a test in the Islands.

The players assured him they were.

Sunday church day on the island of 'Upolu, Samoa where the All Blacks will play Manu Samoa. Photo / Dean Purcell, New Zealand Herald

Fr Fulu also made mention of "our brothers from New Zealand", but said it was the Manu Samoa players' responsibility to celebrate their gifts fully on the field, and to play "tough, but not rough".

Later he asked: "If God is with us, who can be against us?"

Manu Samoa manager Namulauulu Sami Leota responded with an address of his own in which his only words in English were: "Are we ready? We are more than ready."

After seeing and hearing the squad leave the 90-minute ceremony to more applause, Prime Minister Mr Tuilaepa spoke of his pride at being able to host his team at his church, adding: "I want also to use this occasion to thank the management of the All Blacks to agree to come for this match."

Sunday church day on the island of 'Upolu, Samoa where the All Blacks will play Manu Samoa. Photo / Dean Purcell, New Zealand Herald

Sunday church day on the island of 'Upolu, Samoa where the All Blacks will play Manu Samoa. Photo / Dean Purcell, New Zealand Herald

The Samoan PM Tuilaepa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi and Manu Samoa rugby team attend church on the island of 'Upolu, Samoa. Photo / Dean Purcell

He added, when asked how Manu Samoa would fare: "I think they will do their best. The All Blacks are the best team at any time. They are the world champions and to have an opportunity to play against them is an honour."

Manu Samoa rugby team attend church on the island of 'Upolu, Samoa where the All Blacks will play Manu Samoa. Photo / Dean Purcell, New Zealand Herald

The All Blacks are due to arrive in Apia tomorrow (Monday).