Samoa Police to Increase Presence in Preparation for Toa Samoa’s Historical World Cup Grand Final
The Samoa Police are preparing ahead of this weekend’s Rugby League World Cup grand final by increasing its presence across Upolu and Savaii.
In a press conference with local media, Deputy Police Commissioner Papalii Monalisa Tiai-Keti said 873 police officers have been scheduled to be on duty this weekend.
“Officers who would normally be off-duty over the weekend have all been scheduled to work this weekend.”
Samoa made history last Sunday morning when it became the first Pacific Island nation to secure a place in the Rugby League World Cup grand final after a courageous 27-26 semifinal win over England infront of the host nation’s home crowd.
Samoans in all four corners of the globe took to the streets of all major cities in Australia, New Zealand, the USA and other parts of the world.
In Samoa the city of Apia was congested with an impromptu unplanned car parade and families poured out onto the streets and into their cars.
The loud warrior cry of TIUUUSUSUUUUU was heard near and far as everyone came together wanting to celebrate together in an event that united the nation.
Papalii says Police do not intend to dampen the spirits or stop celebrations, however, they do need to uphold rules to ensure safety.
Papalii says there is a road lane that needs to be freed up for ambulances and fire trucks in the event of an emergency.
“Citizens riding on the bonnet of motor vehicles, on top of cars and overcrowding at the back of pick-up trucks are all areas of concern for Police when it comes to safety,” said the Deputy Police Commissioner.
Papalii also alluded to the fact that only three permits to car clubs were issued and it was just for Saturday, not Sunday.
The Toa Samoa take on Australia in the RLWC Grand Final that kicks off 5am Sunday, Samoa Time, in Old Trafford, Manchester which has a capacity of 74,310.
Meantime over a million Samoans across the globe and in every major city of the world, will be in tapuaiga mode of fasting and praying for their sons ready to take on the battle ahead.
Toa Samoa: Josh Aloiai (Manly Sea Eagles), Fa’amanu Brown (Wests Tigers), Stephen Crichton (Penrith Panthers), Mat Feagai (St George Illawarra Dragons), Braden Hamlin-Uele (Cronulla Sharks), Chanel Harris-Tavita (New Zealand Warriors), Royce Hunt (Cronulla Sharks), Oregon Kaufusi (Parramatta Eels), Luciano Leilua (Wests Tigers), Spencer Leniu (Penrith Panthers), Danny Levi (Huddersfield Giants), Jarome Luai (Penrith Panthers), Taylan May (Penrith Panthers), Tyrone May (Catalans Dragons), Anthony Milford (Newcastle Knights), Josh Papalii (Canberra Raiders), Junior Paulo (Parramatta Eels), Jaydn Su’A (St George Illawarra Dragons), Joseph Suaalii (Sydney Roosters), Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (North Queensland Cowboys), Izack Tago (Penrith Panthers), Martin Taupau (Manly Sea Eagles), Brian To’o (Penrith Panthers), Kelma Tuilagi (Wests Tigers).
Australian Kangaroos: Australia: Josh Addo-Carr (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Matt Burton (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Reagan Campbell-Gillard (Parramatta Eels), Patrick Carrigan (Brisbane Broncos), Daly Cherry-Evans (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles), Nathan Cleary (Penrith Panthers), Lindsay Collins (Sydney Roosters), Reuben Cotter (North Queensland Cowboys), Angus Crichton (Sydney Roosters), Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (Gold Coast Titans), Campbell Graham (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Harry Grant (Melbourne Storm), Valentine Holmes (North Queensland Cowboys), Ben Hunt (St George Illawarra Dragons), Liam Martin (Penrith Panthers), Latrell Mitchell (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Cameron Munster (Melbourne Storm), Cameron Murray (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Jeremiah Nanai (North Queensland Cowboys), Murray Taulagi (North Queensland Cowboys), James Tedesco (Sydney Roosters), Jake Trbojevic (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles), Jack Wighton (Canberra Raiders), Isaah Yeo.
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