Manu Samoa 7s Head Coach, Muliagatele Fata Brian Lima, has officially announced the squad to represent Samoa in the upcoming Madrid 7’s Leg of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2023-2024 at Civitas Metropolitano Stadium, Madrid, Spain this weekend 31st May to 2nd June 2024.
Samoa is in Qualifier Pool B, alongside Kenya, Spain and Chile. Manu Samoa 7s will kick off their campaign on Saturday 1st June at 4:25am against Kenya (Samoan local time).
The lineup sees the return of influential try scoring machine Vaafauese Apelu Maliko set to bolster a squad that has been riddled with injuries throughout the series and in dire need of an x-factor component to propel the team forward this weekend. Additionally, the team welcomes back Motu Opetai, Taunuu Niulevaea & Neueli Leitufia who have recovered from injuries sustained in Hong Kong. Also Elisapeta Alofipo makes his return into the squad after commitments to his wedding.
Vaovasa Afa Su’a, Paul Scanlan, Levi Milford, BJ Telefoni Lima, Uaina Tui Sione, Jeff Levy, Tom Maiava and Pisi Leilua are ruled out due to injuries.
Manu Samoa 7s Squad | |||
Name | Club | Villages | |
1 | VAAFAUESE APELU MALIKO (C) | Tepatasi | Lufilufi & Lotopue |
2 | MOTU OPETAI | Siumu | Siumu & Leauvaa |
3 | DAN PATELESIO | Marist St Joseph’s | Tufulele & Fusi Saluafata |
4 | FAAFOI FALANIKO | Tepatasi | Lotopue & Salelesi |
5 | ELISAPETA ALOFIPO | Tama Uli Salelologa | Saleaula & Salelologa |
6 | MALAKESI MASEFAU | Tepatasi | Malaela & Lotopue |
7 | PAUL ETI ALESANA-SLATER | Laulii Lions | Lalomalava & Laulii |
8 | DES SEPULONA FAOA | Tama Uli Salelologa | Tuanai & Faleula |
9 | TAUNUU NIULEVAEA | Safotu | Fasitoo Tai & Vailuutai |
10 | STEVE ONOSAI | Vaiala Ulalei | Falelima & Vaiala |
11 | NEUELI LEITUFIA | Laulii Lions | Laulii & Sapapalii |
12 | TUNA TUITAMA | Laumua o Tumua Afega | Mulifanua & Faleasiu |
13 | ENOSA AFEMAI | Tama Uli Salelologa | Salelologa & Sasaai |
Management | |||
Name | Position | Villages | |
1 | MULIAGATELE FATA BRIAN LIMA | Head Coach | Letogo, Afega & Avao |
2 | TAUSA FAAMOE FAAMAONI LALOMILO | Assistant Coach | Safotu, Falefa, Leusoalii & Sinamoga |
3 | TUALA LEAEGA PAT LEOTA | Team Manager | Leauvaa, Lotofaga, Faleula, Gautavai & Sili |
4 | JUNIOR NARAYAN | Performance Analyst | Poutasi Falealili, Vaivase & Sinamoga |
5 | NATHEN FOULAGI | Physiotherapist | Fasitoo Tai |
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