The Samoa Rugby Union has appointed New Zealander Brian Hopley to the newly established position of General Manager of Rugby.
Mr Hopley has been the high performance manager of Rugby Southland for the past four years and has also worked with the Queensland Firebirds netball team, Tonga Rugby Union, Australian Institute of Sport, Queensland Academy of Sport, Australian Rugby and New South Wales Rugby Unions.
He will take up his new role before the historic test between Manu Samoa and the All Blacks in Apia early next month.
SRU interim Chief Executive Faleomavaega Vincent Fepuleai says it's an exciting appointment as the Union undergoes some necessary changes.
He says Hopley will oversee all levels of rugby in Samoa from the grassroots development up to the elite national teams.
Samoa Rugby's new general manager Brian Hopley. Photo: Rugby Southland / Twitter