Pacific Islands Rugby
Samoa coach Palamo sacked
Scrum.com
January 22, 2009
Samoa's Tanner Vili dives in to score, Samoa v Uruguay, World Cup, Subiaco Oval, October 15 2003
Samoa will be hoping for a return to World Cup action in 2011 © Getty Images
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Samoa have sacked their coach Lepale Niko Palamo and begun advertising for a new coaching structure ahead of their qualification bid for the 2011 World Cup.

Palamo took over from former All Blacks great Michael Jones after Samoa's poor showing during the 2007 World Cup, but has now been shown the door by the union. With rivals Fiji and Tonga having already qualified for the next World Cup due to strong showings in France, Samoa will need to win an Oceania qualifier if they are to attend the tournament.

Should the Samona side qualify, they will slot into a group with South Africa, Wales and perennial rivals Fiji. Palamo's reign has not been the most successful, with his side conceding a hundred points to the All Blacks in September.

"The Board decided to dissolve the Manu Samoa coaching structure and re-advertise the positions effective immediately. The restructure will look at the full commitment, strong leadership and prevailing management experience to give Samoa rugby a cohesive and a competitive team moving forward," the union said.

"The Board aims for the Manu Samoa to be at the World Cup in 2011. To do that Manu Samoa would need to win the Oceania Qualifiers in July this year. Other critical fixtures this year include the Pacific Nations Cup and the Northern Hemisphere tour to France, Ireland and Italy at the end of the year."

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