Manu Samoa Sevens set their sights on their first HSBC sevens circuit appearance in 2 years.
photo from Lakapi Samoa Facebook Page
Lakapi Samoa officially announced this week that the Manu Samoa 7s squad will be joining the HSBC sevens circuit for the first time in two years, as they set their sights on the Singapore leg of the event as their inaugural return to World Sevens Rugby, and from there the Canada leg of the circuit.
The last time the Manu Samoa participated in the HSBC sevens circuit was when Sir Gordon Tietjens was still at the helm as head coach two years ago.
To say we are the underdogs is an understatement; as only 4 out of the 13 man squad have international rugby experience, and nine players having never played outside of Apia Park. Despite this, the players are highly esteemed by the Samoa rugby community for their skills, and commitment to the sport.
Out of the squad of thirteen, Head Coach Muliagatele Brian Lima has put his faith in three players to co-captain his team. They are Meilani Matavao, Vaafauese Apelu Maliko and Vaovasa Afa Su’a, a strong pairing with only Meilani having international game time.
The team that will take on these two legs for Samoa are:
MELANI MATAVAO (CC) – Marist St. Josephs – Fasitoo Uta, Laulii & Saaga Siumu
VAAFAUESE APELU MALIKO (CC) – Tepatasi – Lotopu’ē & Lufilufi
VAOVASA AFA SUA *(CC) – Tamauli Salelologa – Salelavalu, Salelologa & Palauli
FAAFOI FALANIKO * – Tepatasi – Lotopu’ē, Salelesi & Samusu
IAFETA PURCELL * – Tepatasi – Malaela & Letogo
INDIAH SAOTUI – HUTA * – Clifton Taranaki, New Zealand, Sa’asa’ai
MIRACLE FAIILAGI * – Vailele – Vailele, Uafato & Asau
MOTU OPETAI * – Siumu – Siumu, Leauvaa & Vaimoso
OWEN NIUE * – Tamauli Salelologa – Samoa Taga, Gataivai, Siufaga & Sapapalii
PAUL SCANLAN – Moataa – Moataa & Satuimalufilufi
PELOSI TAUPO * – Marist St. Josephs – Samoa Tufulele & Afega
STEVE ONOSAI * – Vaiala – Vaiala & Falelima
UAINA SIONE – Tamauli Salelologa – Palauli, Sapapalii, Salelologa & Saleimoa
MANAGEMENT
MULIAGATELE BRIAN LIMA – Head Coach – Letogo, Afega & Avao.
TAUSA FAAMAONI LALOMILO – Assistant Coach – Safotu, Falefa, Leusoalii.
TUALA LEAEGA PAT LEOTA – Team Manager – Leauvaa, Lotofaga, Faleula, Gautavai.
JUNIOR NARAYAN – Analyst – Poutasi, Falealili.
JON GARCIA Physiotherapist – Bilbao, Spain.
The team left their camp in Dubai for Singapore on the April 3, 2002 and are placed in pool B of the competition. The Manu Samoa sevens team are set to open their come back with a very tough match up against Spain, England and Australia.
The team has a massive hill to conquer going back into the HSBC Circuit, as the many tournaments they missed out on have them ranked 18th in the world seven’s series. Topping only New Zealand in 19th who have also not made an appearance in this seasons tournaments.
The Singapore leg of the competition will kick off this weekend on the 9th -10th of April, 2022.