NFL stars coming to Samoan Sports Awards

NFL stars Paul Soliai from the Miami Dolphins and the New York Jets’ Sione ‘Bo’ Pouha are special guests at this year’s Samoan Sports Awards at the Pullman Hotel in Auckland Central on Saturday, February 18.

Samoan Sports Association President Papaliitele Peter Fatialofa is in Las Vegas to meet them at the IRB International Sevens Series this weekend, returning to Auckland with them next week. Fatialofa is being honoured along with Michael Jones and Jonah Lomu, as a Rugby Legend, in Las Vegas by the host USA Sevens Rugby.

“Like a lot of Polynesians playing in the NFL, Paul and Sione are big rugby fans and are looking forward to coming down to New Zealand,” says Fatialofa, who says the awards are the perfect stage for them to meet some of New Zealand’s outstanding Samoan sporting talent.

All Black Jerome Kaino, the reigning Supreme winner from the last Samoan Sports Awards, is again in the running after his standout performances at the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Following the triumph Kaino was named as a finalist for IRB Player of the Year, and won the Pacific Sportsman of the Year and New Zealand Rugby Player of the Year titles.

The awards will also honour All Black Mils Muliaina, who became the first Samoan and Pacific player to play 100 tests, and Brian Lima, the first Samoan-born inductee into the IRB Rugby Hall of Fame, having represented Manu Samoa in five World Cup tournaments, the only international player to do so.

Tickets for the awards are still available from eventfinder. Click here for more info.