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The Blue Grand Slam
What do the Smurfs, Sonic the Hedgehog, Aladdin’s Genie, the Na’vi from Avatar, Manu Samoa, Super Rugby Blues & NSW Blues have in common?
by Cam Schuster I 5th August 2024
It’s obvious isn't it… they are all the good guys. For those disagreeing, you must be from Queensland, an instigator of the acronym JAFA, or from Wales. For you, Megamind, Skeletor, and Doctor Manhattan are villains in blue, so that might be the go. Enemy, bad boys, the team you love to hate. (How could anybody dislike an underdog like the Manu though?) I bleed blue for real; halfway through 2024, there is reason to be happy.
It's the ultimate triumph. Manu Samoa, The Blues, and NSW Rugby League all posting W’s in their respective comps. The Manu beat Italy and Spain in their July international appointments, the Blues claimed the Super Rugby Trophy and NSW conquered Queensland in the State of Origin game 3 decider. It’s the Blue Grand Slam. The last time these teams felt victory together in the same year was in 1997 when Samoa won the now-defunct Pacific Tri-Nations. (a precursor to the Pacific Nations Cup) So, I asked myself a question: when was another time in history when we came close to a Blue trifecta?
Highlights: Manu Samoa vs Italy at Apia Park 2024
If you look at the Auckland Blues as a baseline they have previously been champions in 2003, 1997, and 96. NSW has won the Origin series in those years as well. We know Samoa were Pacific Tri-Nations Champions in 97, So how did Samoa go in 96 and 03 before August? Let’s take a look.
1996: The New Zealand Tour (26 May-14 June)
Coming off a Rugby World Cup Quarter-final loss to eventual champs the Springboks in 95, Manu Samoa began 96 with a seven-match tour of New Zealand. (Can we have Samoa, Tonga, and Fiji do NZ tours again, and then a Pasifika Team like the British Lions to tour NZ in the 4th year) Coached by Sir Bryan Williams, and a squad with the likes of Peter Fatialofa, Brian Lima, Tu Nu’ualitia, To’o Vaega, George Leaupepe, Alex Telea, and Pat Lam to name a few. Samoa finished the tour with 4 wins and 3 losses. At the time, Manu Samoa were stomping with the big dawgs and rollin’ with major sponsors Vailima (remember Vailima Gold? Discontinued in the late 2000s it tasted like Vailima Pure, I had a good time sippin on the Gold while listening to Ardijah live at Sina Lei Resort) Reebok, (Manu would enjoy kit sponsors from top brand labels like Reebok, Adidas, and Puma between 1996 and 2009) and NZ Financial firm Fay Richwhite who invested 5 Million dollars to the cause. The Manu also revealed their new logo of a rugby ball in blue and red with gold arms and legs in siapo style. The crybaby IRB law of one-country-for-life rule hadn't yet come into play so Samoa enjoyed the opportunity to select former All Blacks. Indeed this was the golden era of Samoan rugby, it feels like we are far from it right now, it’s a shame.
In the first match of the tour Samoa fell to a young Tana Umaga and Alama Ieremia’s Wellington Lions 52-30. In the next 3 matches, Samoa posted wins against Counties-Manukau, Taranaki, and Wairarapa Bush before facing the Sean Fitzpatrick-led All Blacks at McLean Park in Napier. The Paekakariki Express made his debut in that game scoring 3 tries, the potency of attack from Cullen was on full display bumped by a visit by the Chiropractor who added Cullen to his list of victims. (Nu’ualitia took a box kick off the back of the scrum which was caught by Cullen who immediately was smashed by a flying Brian Lima, a thing of beauty). Tries to fullback Tupo Fa’amasino and left-wing Alex Telea were the only points to Samoa going down 51-10. Peter Fats summed up the night in a post-match interview saying the lack of ball retention much of the game sealed the deal. Samoa would complete the tour beating King Country 27-7 and losing to NZ Maori 28-15.
I just want to throw in as well, in November of that year Samoa beat Ireland 40-25. Va’aiga Tuigamala would play that game on the wing.
2003: Pre Rugby World Cup (May-July)
It’s World Cup year and Manu Samoa kicks off the July test window with 3 matches in 3 months. Coached by NZ’der John Boe, Samoa with 2 of Ranui’s finest Mahonri Schwalger and Pama Petia in the lineup beat NZ Divisional XV 30-27. In the next match, Samoa with Lome Fa’atau, Semo Sititi, Trevor Leota, and Earl Va’a would lose to Ireland at Apia Park 40-14. June would see the Manu face off with Namibia and comfortably dispatch them 40-13, again the two Ranuians would make an appearance.
2 out of 3, 66.6%, if Cs get degrees then Manu Samoa in 2003 gets a pass. I won’t though in this case, 2 out of 2 before August in 2024 is better than 2 out of 3 in 2003.
Well, what did we learn? You don’t get a Blue Grand Slam too often in sports, 2024 is the latest while there's been 27 years since the last one. That was 1997, I would be in my first year of tertiary education, Jim Bolger was Prime Minister, Reiko Ioane, and Stephen Perofeta were born, the Auckland Stars were NZNBL Champs, Beatrice Faumuiina was the first NZder to win at the World Athletics Champs, and DLT & Che Fu’s song ‘Chains’ won NZ’s Song of the Year.
So let's relish this great result my fellow Bleed Blue fans. Even if you support 2 out of 3 that’s ok, lets enjoy this rare moment in sports together. Until next time the stars align, equilibrium materialises, the balance of the force manifests, or when you're having one of those days where everything is going your way. It’s a proud feeling, the pleasure, high adrenaline, when dopamine is engaged triggering the reward areas in ya dome, a shared sense of triumph inspires. It’s that moment when I’m at peace. No need to be boastful, no need to rub it in. I am calm. They know the deal. Up the Blues.