Guinness Premiership players support Samoan Tsunami Appeal

On Tuesday the 29th of September 2009, at 6.48am local Samoan time, a powerful earthquake measuring 8.3 on the Richter Scale struck in the Pacific Ocean roughly 100 miles South of Samoa and American Samoa. The Earthquake triggered a powerful Tsunami with waves measuring up to 20 feet that slammed into the small pacific island nations of Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga. Entire villages have been completely destroyed. 177 people have been confirmed dead and many more are still missing. Although the majority are Samoan, included amongst the dead are tourists from New Zealand, Australia and Britain.

Guinness Premiership player and Samoan international, Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu, and former Samoan international Garrick Cowley are co-ordinating rugby's fundraising efforts in England to help victims of the Tsunami. They write:

Our family orientated culture has been shattered at its core. Entire families have been swept to sea. Children on their way to school are now being dug out of the sands. Along the shore New Zealand aircraft circle and drop flares where decomposing bodies are found in the water. Ancient villages and modern resorts that flowered our beautiful coastline are now completely destroyed!

Given the small combined population of 230,000 people, this tragedy will touch everyone living or with relatives in the area. As well as the death toll, the injured and the social costs, financial estimates of damage to infrastructure are in the region of SAT$800million.

Over the years we Samoan and Tongan rugby players have given you a style, passion, pride and finesse completely original and unique to our way of life. To fans of all teams, from the Guinness Premiership and Heineken Cup sides through to regional club level, we have served you. We have given our bodies, blood and sweat to English Rugby. From past legends such as Va'aiga Tuigamala, Brian Lima, Pat Lam, Terry Fanolua, Junior Paramore, Zak Feaunati, Freddy Tuilagi, Apollo Perelini  , Andrew Blowers and Trevor Leota to modern players Seilala Mapasua, Jonny Fa'amatuainu, David Lemi, Alesana Tuilagi, Joe Maddock, Leslie Vainikolo, Sam Tuitupou, Sailosi Tagicakibau, Census Johnston and Tani Fuga, to name a few, we have brought smiles to the faces of English rugby fans. We will keep on entertaining you and fighting for you for many years to come.

We have fought side by side with English legends Lawrence Dallaglio, Jonny Wilkinson, Neil Back, Mike Catt, Mike Tindall, Will Greenwood, Rob Andrew, Steve Borthwick, Danny Cipriani, Lee Mears and Martin Johnson on the field whilst playing for our respective clubs. Now we ask that you fight side by side with us.

We would appreciate if you showed your support for these players and their families by making a contribution to the Samoan Tsunami Appeal effort to help assist Samoans during this difficult time. Every little bit helps and even 5 quid will help make a huge difference in helping our country get back on its feet.

Donate

Thank you for all your support,

Samoan Players of the Premiership