Former Samoan international Eliota Fuimaono‑Sapolu has criticised Sir Gordon Tietjens move to coach Samoa in sevens.
Sapolu claimed Tietjens would be the highest paid official in Samoa after they fended off Kenya for the 60‑year‑old's services.
The 35-year-old says Gordon Tietjens will be paid more than the Head of State, the highest paid government official in Samoa.
Sapolu says that professional coaches are not coming to the Pacific for the fresh air and cultural experience, they are there mainly for the money.
He also says Tietjens' inability to speak Samoan was among the problems and attacked the way "old white male coaches" were able to operate outside of rugby's eligibility rules.
Sapolu says that the most important part of this appointment is being bilingual and Tietjens ideas would be useless if he can’t communicate with the people.
He also emphasized the difference between how rugby played in Samoa is different from New Zealand
Sapolu says coaching in the Pacific requires far more depth in philosophy.
Source : NZ Herald
