Rugby League Samoa president extends his thanks to the people of Warrington (From Warrington Guardian)

Warrington set to be Samoan team base for 2013 World Cup

in Sport By Christopher Terris Taylor

THE president of Rugby League Samoa has extended his thanks to the people of Warrington for becoming the host town of the Samoan 2013 World Cup squad.

Warrington Wolves' Padgate training facility will host the Samoan national team's preparations for their World Cup matches, with The Halliwell Jones Stadium also set to host the Group B match between Samoa and New Zealand.

RL Samoa president Tagaloalagi Faafouina Su'a said: "The independent state of Samoa, the people of Samoa and Rugby League Samoa would like to convey a big thank you for the opportunity to have Warrington as our hosts for the upcoming Rugby League World Cup 2013.

"Judging from the correspondence from the Warrington community I must say that we already feel at home with the advancement of the hospitality that will be extended to us at the world event.

"Your people, very nice people, your place, nice place to see, and your promise to host the rugby league world cup and to be our host town must be commended.

"We are aware that Warrington is a town of passionate rugby league lovers with world class facilities such as the Halliwell Jones Stadium, plus the various nice places that our Samoan team will visit and experience.

"We are looking forward to bringing our Samoan culture over with us and I am sure David Solomona and other former great Samoan tour players such as Nigel Vagana, Warrington super star and Super League’s top try scorer in 1997, have already displayed a bit of Samoan culture in your territory.

"We acknowledge the work done by many of your people, such as the bid team and committees, council and many volunteers behind the scenes in making the hosting possible.

"We are looking forward to experiencing your town ourselves. God bless you all."

The Samoan national team will spend 35 days in Warrington, with a deleagtion from the country set to visit the town on the weekend of May 4th to finalise details for the squad's stay in the autumn of next year.