MANU SAMOA SEVENS EMBARK ON INTENSIVE TRAINING CAMP IN FIJI AHEAD OF CRUCIAL TOURNAMENTS
Manu Samoa Sevens team during training at Return To Paradise (Photo: Manu Samoa Sevens)
The Manu Samoa Sevens team is gearing up for an exciting and critical phase in their rugby journey, as they’ve embarked on a two-week training camp in Sigatoka, Fiji. The team is preparing for two significant events on the horizon: the Oceania Olympic Qualification Tournament and the Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands.
The heart of their preparation centres on the Oceania 7s Tournament, scheduled to be held in Brisbane, Australia, from November 10 to 12, 2023. This tournament is of paramount importance to the Manu Samoa Sevens as it serves as an Olympic qualifying event for the Oceania region. The prospect of earning a spot in the Rugby 7s event of the Olympic Games is a historic opportunity for Samoa.
Head Coach Muliaga Brian Lima expressed the team's determination and ambition, stating, "Samoa has never qualified to take part in the Rugby 7s event of the Olympic Games. For that reason, our main aim and focus are to achieve this milestone and make history for our beautiful Samoa." With such motivation, the team is leaving no stone unturned in their quest for success.
The 2023 Oceania Rugby Sevens Championship, set to unfold at Brisbane's Ballymore Stadium, is a significant gathering of rugby talent. This event features 25 teams, with 15 men's teams and 10 women's teams representing 14 countries from the Oceania region. Eighteen of these teams will be competing for the coveted Olympic qualification, making it a fiercely contested tournament.
Notably, the Oceania Rugby Sevens Championship in 2023 will witness the American Samoa women's team making their international Sevens debut. This showcases the growing reach and appeal of the sport, as new teams join the fray, contributing to the overall development of rugby in the Oceania region.
While the Oceania 7s Tournament is a significant milestone for the Manu Samoa Sevens, they also have their eyes set on the Solomon Pacific Games, which is scheduled to commence on November 19 until December 2. These games will provide another platform for the team to showcase their skills and compete against strong regional competition.
The two-week training camp in Fiji will undoubtedly be an intense and focused period for the Manu Samoa Sevens as they fine-tune their strategies and skills. With the unwavering support of their passionate fans and a dedicated coaching staff led by Muliaga Brian Lima, the team is poised to make history by securing a spot in the Olympic Games—a dream that has eluded Samoa until now.
As the Manu Samoa Sevens strive to etch their name in the annals of rugby history, the rugby world will be watching with anticipation and excitement as these talented athletes chase their Olympic dreams. Samoa's journey is a testament to the unifying power of sport and the incredible dedication of its athletes and fans.
