Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Samoan War Chant to pump up Rebels

Hawaii fans will understand the Rebels' new pregame ritual better than UNLV fans will.

Prior to Saturday's 7:05 p.m. home opener against the Rainbows at Sam Boyd Stadium, the Rebels will gather in a corner of the north end zone as they emerge beneath the temporary bleachers under the scoreboard.

There they will huddle and perform what defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill calls the "Samoan War Chant."

Defensive line coach Sam Papalii, an American Samoan who was born and raised on the Hawaiian Islands, has taught the ritual wherever he has coached.

"In a stadium, it's electric," said Papalii, who has imparted the tradition at Arizona, Utah and Iowa State.

"In the Polynesian culture, the different groups -- Samoans, Tongans, Maori -- they did this before they went to war or to scare the spirits. They would confront their adversaries with this."

It starts with the team in a tight circle, all facing the center. Papalii leads the procedure by barking out commands.

"Mili" starts it. The Samoan word for "rub" signals the players to rub the palms of their hands together. "Patia" comes next, telling the players to "clap." After a steady rhythm, "luamai" has them clap "two times" with the chant of "Rebs" in between.

"Lua ah togi atogi ah," gets the juices flowing by asking, according to Papalii, "Do you want to kick some (butt)?" The Rebels hop up and down and respond with "Aaaaa ah togi a," meaning "Yes, we want to kick some (butt)."

Then Papalii repeatedly asks "Oai malo," or "Who's going to win?" The answer "Rebs" comes back each time.

"Then we charge out of there and get crazy," Papalii said. "It gets the guys pumped up. They like it. It gets me pumped up, too."

Extra points

* BUMPS & BRUISES: Hawaii faces numerous injuries. Starting cornerback Robbie Robinson (ankle) was downgraded to doubtful Wednesday. Receiver Jason Mane (knee), outside linebacker Rufus Ayeni (knee), inside linebacker Stephen Gonzales (shoulder) and nose guard Tony Tuioti (knee) are out. Mane, Ayeni and Gonzales were projected starters. On the plus side for the Rainbows, tight end Armando Morlos made the trip. He was sidelined for the first three games with a hernia and his subsequent surgery to repair it. ... UNLV lists only junior guard Brandon Ellena and freshman receiver Duane James on its injury list. Ellena, a backup, sprained his left knee Wednesday. He did not practice Thursday, but is probable for the game. James has been out since training camp, when he aggravated a stress fracture in his right foot.

* HEAVY BETTING: The Rainbows appear to be getting the action on the underground betting line. UNLV opened as a 3 1/2-point favorite for its home opener, but money on Hawaii has dropped the spread to 2 points. In-state wagering on Nevada schools is illegal, but is allowed in Mexico, offshore and overseas.

* MARK HIS WORDS: Regardless of the spread, Hawaiian-born Rebel Andre Teixeira is certain who will come out ahead. "I know a lot of you have been wondering when we will get that win," the sophomore defensive back told the gathering at coach Jeff Horton's weekly luncheon Thursday. "I promise this will be that win." Then he paused and added "It better be."

* HALFWAY HOUSE: UNLV ticket manager Kathy Zumbro said 22,000 tickets, including students', are out for Saturday's game. Sam Boyd Stadium seats just over 40,000. Zumbro predicted a gametime crowd of 20,000 with 2,500-3,000 Hawaii fans. Reports from the Island, however, contend as many as 10,000 Rainbow faithful will show.

* KLANESKI X 2: Hawaii free safety Eddie Klaneski asked Hawaii head coach Fred vonAppen earlier this week if he also could play wide receiver against UNLV. Klaneski, the season's first Pacific Division defensive player of the week, is a former Rainbows slotback. "I'd love to play receiver if they'd let me," Klaneski told the Honolulu Star-Bulletin. "I wanted to try last year, but they said 'No.' It can't hurt to ask. Just slip me in there for one or two plays and see what happens." The 5-foot-9, 190-pound senior caught 41 passes for 541 yards and two touchdowns and rushed 52 times for 294 yards and a score in 1994-95. "Eddie will never make All-Western Athletic Conference as a receiver," vonAppen said. "But he has an excellent chance to repeat at free safety." Klaneski also is the Rainbows' top punt returner with a 7.7-yard average.

* GRID TIDBITS: Former Rebel Hunkie Cooper took in Thursday's practice and addressed the team afterward. Cooper, who still lives in the valley, plays for the Arizona Rattlers of the Arena Football League and was named MVP of the Arena Bowl last month. ... Citizens Area Transit is offering a $1 bus fare to and from Sam Boyd Stadium for all Rebel home games this season. Pickups will begin at 3:30 p.m. in the Thomas & Mack Center southeast parking lot and will continue every half hour until kickoff. Return trips will be made immediately after the game every half hour until 12:30 a.m.

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