Falcons Pick Momentous
Falcons Pick Momentous
Nese Malifa and friends during a recent Tiger Rugby tour. Max Rugby photo.
It sometimes doesn’t take much to make a huge gesture, but I think that the significance of today’s announcement of the USA Falcons team to South America should not be understated.
It’s not the lineup of players - that’s all very nice and everything - it’s the coach. Polynesian athletes have been a big part of the American landscape for years. From Vaea Anitoni and Alatini Salala to Olo Fifita and Tasi Mo’unga, Mose Timoteo, Malakai Delai (Tabuvuya), Nelo Lui, Tui Osborne, the Tuilevuka brothers, the Palamo brothers, the Malifa brothers, the Suniula brothers, and, of course, Samu Manoa, American rugby has enjoyed the benefits of those players - born in the US and born outside - in helping teams win and in making our national team better.*
But we don’t see Polynesian rugby coaches, at least, not a lot. And, in fact, USA Rugby has had precious few Samoan-, Tongan-, and Fijian-American coaches in its sphere. So the fact that USA Rugby has brought in Nese Malifa (born in American Samoa) to coach the USA Falcons is a big step. It changes that number from none, to one, and sometimes that’s the biggest step to make.
Malifa is a smart rugby man. He was a gifted playmaker for the USA 7s team, and was central to the team that made the USA’s one and only appearance in a World Series tournament final. He has been working on his coaching certification, and brings a quiet, relaxed voice to his communication with the players. He will do a good job, but he won’t be thrown into the deep end, either. Al Caravelli, Malifa’s coach with the 7s team, will serve as technical advisor. His role will be somewhat similar to the role Emil Signes served with Caravelli - the former mentor serving in an advisory and analytical role.
This is perfect for Caravelli, who wants to be involved with the USA program in some way when it works, and it also allows Malifa to have someone with him who has been there before. I like it. I like it a lot. Paul Goulding as assistant coach is a good fit as he is a solid video analyst and has been with the USA 7s team on multiple trips, and thus knows how the day-to-day operations work. It’s a good team of coaches, with Malifa at the center.
Could this mean Nese Malifa becomes the USA Head Coach some day? That’s getting way ahead of ourselves. What it means is that USA Rugby is taking the development of a Polynesian coach seriously. And they should, because there are more out there. Tui Osborne is helping run the Life University program and his contribution to the Life 7s success has been significant. Jone Naqica is coaching in 7s and at the HS level, and he looks to have a lot of the qualities of an effective coach.
There are others, and will be more. And as more Polynesian-American rugby players retire and look to remain a part of the game, I want them to feel they can coach anyone anywhere. Putting a worthy new coach like Malifa on the Falcons team sends that message.
*I didn't expect to list everyone, and so wasn't worried about missing too many, but I would be hugely remis of I didn't mention Vaha Esikia, whose contributions for the Eagles and to coaching youth rugby in Navada are huge.
