Samoa national rugby sevens team

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The Samoa national rugby sevens team, referred to as Samoa Sevens or Manu Samoa 7s, competes in the annual World Rugby Sevens Series. Representing the polynesian country of Samoa, with a population of about 202,000, the team competes against some of the wealthiest countries in the world.[1] The Samoa sevens team is overseen by the Samoa Rugby Football Union, which oversees all of rugby union in Samoa.

Samoa won the 2009–10 World Series[2] by winning four tournaments – the Hong Kong Sevens,[3] the USA Sevens, the Adelaide Sevens, and the Edinburgh Sevens.[4] Samoa has played at all Rugby World Cup Sevens finals tournaments since the championship began in 1993; its best finish was third place in 1997 and again in 2007.

Samoa has won four Oceania Sevens titles since the first competition in 2008. They have also won all four gold medals at the Pacific Games Sevens and Pacific Mini Games Sevens between 2007 and 2013, defeating Template:Nrut in the final on each occasion.

History

File:Uganda v Samoa try.jpg
Uganda v Samoa (20 March 2006)

The first Samoan sevens team was selected in November 1978 to play at the invitation Hong Kong Sevens[5] under the leadership of former SRU representative captain, Tuatagaloa Keli Tuatagaloa.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". The team included Rev-Dr Faitala Talapusi as captain, Lemalu Roy Slade (Brisbane) as vice-captain, Rev. Paul Gray (Melbourne), Peter Schmidt, Feausiga Sililoto, Rev - Andrew Leavasa (USA), Salafuti Patu and others. Samoa won the 1993 Hong Kong Sevens.[6]

Tournament history

Summer Olympics

Olympic Games record
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Template:Flagicon 2016 Did not qualify Lost 12–19 to Spain in the final of the final qualifying tournament.
Template:Flagicon 2020 Lost 31–0 to France in the semifinal of the final qualifying tournament.
Template:Flagicon 2024 9th Place Final 10th 5 2 3 0 Won Oceania Olympic Qualifying
Total 0 Titles 1/3 5 2 3 0 -

In qualifying rounds for the 2016 Olympics, Samoa finished in third place at the 2015 Oceania Sevens Championship, meaning they didn't qualify directly for the Olympics as Oceania's representative. They instead went to the 2016 inter-continental final qualifying tournament, where they lost to Spain 12–19 in the final and failed to qualify for the 2016 Olympics.

Rugby World Cup Sevens

1993 Rugby World Cup Sevens - Murrayfield, Scotland

Western Samoa was in Pool D with England, Canada, Spain, Namibia and Hong Kong. After the first of Pool games Western Samoa remained undefeated along with South Africa and New Zealand.

In the quarterfinals Western Samoa was in Pool E alongside Tonga Fiji and Ireland. Western Samoa only win was against Tonga 42-7.

Team list

Coach: Taufusi Salesa

Manager: Marina Schaffhausen

  1. Andrew Aiolupo (Moata'a)
  2. Alama Ieremia (Wellington)
  3. Danny Kaleopa (Moata'a)
  4. Lolani Koko (Moata'a)
  5. Brian Lima (Marist St Joseph)
  6. Veli Patu (Vaiala)
  7. Ofisa Tonu'u (Wellington)
  8. To'o Vaega (Vaiala)
  9. Sila Vaifale (Marist St Joseph)
  10. Alefaio Vaisuai (Moata'a)

1997 Rugby World Cup Sevens - British Hong Kong

Western Samoa was in Pool C with Argentina and Morocco won both of its games. Western Samoa advanced to the Cup Quarter - finals to play England, winning 21 - 5.   In the Cup Semi – Finals lost to eventual winners Fiji 38-14.

Team list

  1. Kalolo Toleafoa
  2. Isaac Fe'aunati
  3. Rudolf Moors
  4. Brian Lima
  5. Tainafi Patu
  6. Afato So'oalo
  7. Terry Fanolua
  8. Sila Vaifale
  9. Laiafi Papali'i
  10. Semo Sititi

2001 Rugby World Cup Sevens - Argentina

Western Samoa was in Pool D alongside Australia, Wales, United States, Portugal and Hong Kong. Western Samoa advanced to the Cup Quarterfinal, where they would meet New Zealand and eventually exit the tournament with a loss 45 -7.    

Team list

Coach: Filipo Saena

  1. Tim Cowley
  2. Gaolo Elisara
  3. Ron Fanuatanu
  4. Daniel Farani
  5. Ailaoa Samania
  6. Toa Samania
  7. Semo Sititi
  8. Steven So'oialo
  9. Luke Mealamu
  10. Tanner Vili

2005 Rugby World Cup Sevens - Hong Kong

Samoa was in Pool B alongside England, France, Georgia, Chinese Taipei and Italy. Three teams, Samoa, England and France, won four of its five pool games, but Samoa did not advance to the Cup Quarterfinals because the Points For and Points Against difference was lower of the second placed France. England (+123), France (+82) and Samoa (+79).

Samoa move on the Plate competition and win against Ireland Quarter-finals (19-14), then beat Russia in Semi-finals (19-12) and eventually defeating Portugal to secure the World Cup Plate Final for 2005.

Team list

Coach: John Schuster

  1. Lome Fa'atau
  2. Sailosi Tagicakibau
  3. Paul Perez
  4. Junior Leota
  5. Kiri Mariner
  6. Gaolo Elisara
  7. Apoua Stewart
  8. Brian Lima
  9. Uale Mai
  10. Samu Eteuati
  11. Mark Tanuvasa
  12. David Lemi
Rugby World Cup Sevens Record
Year Round Position Games Won Lost Drew Most tries Most points
Template:Flagicon 1993 Quarterfinals 5th 8 6 2 0
Template:Flagicon 1997 Semifinals 3rd 6 5 1 0
Template:Flagicon 2001 Quarterfinals 5th 6 4 2 0
Template:Flagicon 2005 Plate finals 9th 8 7 1 0
Template:Flagicon 2009 Semifinals 3rd 5 4 1 0
Template:Flagicon 2013 Plate finals 10th 6 4 2 0
Template:Flagicon 2018 Challenge quarterfinals 13th 5 3 2 0 Joe Perez (4) Alatasi Tupou (24)
Template:Flagicon 2022 7th Place Final 8th 4 1 3 0
Total 2 bronze medals 8/8 48 34 14 0 Brian Lima (17) Brian Lima (101)

Commonwealth Games

Commonwealth record
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Template:Flagicon 1998 Semifinalists 4th 7 4 2 1
Template:Flagicon 2002 Semifinalists 4th 6 2 4 0
Template:Flagicon 2006 Plate semifinalists 7th 5 2 3 0
Template:Flagicon 2010 Plate winners 5th 6 4 2 0
Template:Flagicon 2014 Semifinalists 4th 6 4 2 0
Template:Flagicon 2018 Group stage 9th-T 3 1 2 0
Template:Flagicon 2022 Fifth place playoff 5th 6 4 2 0
Total Three fourth-place finishes 36 20 15 1

World Rugby Sevens Series

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While long a solidly competitive side, Samoa emerged as contenders in the 2006-07 Sevens World Series, finishing third overall while winning two events – the Wellington Sevens and Hong Kong Sevens. The team reached the final four times in a row, playing against series favourite Fiji.

2009–10 IRB Sevens World Series

Samoa won the 2009–10 Series in large part due to 2010 World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year Mikaele Pesamino who led all players with 56 tries scored.[7] Samoa were also helped by the efforts of half-back Lolo Lui, another nominee for 2010 Sevens Player of the Year, who scored 264 points. Samoa's third star that season was forward Alafoti Faosiliva, who scored 29 tries and was also a Sevens Player of the Year nominee.

The itinerary for the 2009–10 IRB Sevens World Series:

2009–10 itinerary[8]
Leg Venue Date Winner
Dubai The Sevens 4–5 December 2009 File:Flag of New Zealand.svg New Zealand
South Africa Outeniqua Park, George 11–12 December 2009 File:Flag of New Zealand.svg New Zealand
New Zealand Westpac Stadium, Wellington 5–6 February 2010 File:Flag of Fiji.svg Fiji
United States Sam Boyd Stadium, Las Vegas 13–14 February 2010 File:Flag of Samoa.svg Samoa
Australia Adelaide Oval, Adelaide 19–21 March 2010 File:Flag of Samoa.svg Samoa
Hong Kong Hong Kong Stadium 26–28 March 2010 File:Flag of Samoa.svg Samoa
London Twickenham 22–23 May 2010 File:Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia
Edinburgh Murrayfield, Edinburgh 29–30 May 2010 File:Flag of Samoa.svg Samoa

Overall standings

2009–10 standings[9]
Pos. Country Dubai South Africa
(George)
New Zealand
(WellingTemplate:Shyton)
USA
(Las Vegas)
Australia
(Adelaide)
Hong Kong England
(London)
Scotland
(EdinTemplate:Shyburgh)
Overall
1 File:Flag of Samoa.svg Samoa 20 6 20 24 24 30 16 24 164
2 File:Flag of New Zealand.svg New Zealand 24 24 16 20 12 25 12 16 149
3 File:Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia 12 6 12 16 16 16 24 20 122
4 File:Flag of Fiji.svg Fiji 16 20 24 8 6 20 8 6 108
5 File:Flag of England.svg England 16 12 16 6 4 20 6 16 96
6 File:Flag of South Africa.svg South Africa 8 8 8 12 8 10 20 6 80
7 File:Flag of Argentina.svg Argentina 6 16 0 0 16 0 16 8 62
8 File:Flag of Kenya.svg Kenya 6 16 6 16 0 8 0 0 52
9 File:Flag of Wales (1959–present).svg Wales 4 4 4 6 6 0 6 4 34
10 File:Flag of the United States.svg United States 0 0 0 4 20 8 0 0 32
11 File:Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada DNP DNP 6 0 DNP 5 4 0 15
12 File:Flag of Scotland.svg Scotland 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 12

Sevens Series tournament Cup wins

Event Venue Winner Score Runner-up
2022 South Africa Sevens Cape Town Stadium Samoa 12–7 New Zealand
2016 Paris Sevens Stade Jean Bouin Samoa 29–26 Fiji
2012 Dubai Sevens The Sevens Stadium Samoa 26–15 New Zealand
2012 USA Sevens Sam Boyd Stadium Samoa 26–19 New Zealand
2011 Safari Sevens Nyayo National Stadium Samoa 31–12 Samurai Sevens
2010 Edinburgh Sevens Murrayfield Stadium Samoa 41–14 Australia
2010 Hong Kong Sevens Hong Kong Stadium Samoa 24–21 New Zealand
2010 Adelaide Sevens Adelaide Oval Samoa 38–10 United States
2010 USA Sevens Sam Boyd Stadium Samoa 33–12 New Zealand
2008 London Sevens Westpac Stadium Samoa 19–14 Fiji
2007 Hong Kong Sevens Hong Kong Stadium Samoa 27–22 Fiji
2007 Wellington Sevens Westpac Stadium Samoa 14–7 Fiji
2005 Safari Sevens RFUEA Ground Samoa 50-5 Western Province
1993 Hong Kong Sevens Hong Kong Stadium Western Samoa 14–12 Fiji
1992 Middlesex Sevens Twickenham Stadium Western Samoa 30–6 London Scottish

In July 1997, the Government of Samoa changed the country's name from Western Samoa to Samoa.[10]

Players

Current squad

The following players were selected to represent Samoa during the 2023–24 SVNS tournament beginning in December 2023.

Note: Caps reflect the total number of SVNS events competed in as of the 2023 South Africa Sevens.

Player Position Date of birth (age) Caps Club/province
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Template:Nat rs end

Records and statistics

Former squads

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Samoa team to the 2015 Pacific Games

Squad to 2015 Pacific Games:[11]

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Samoa team to the 2014 Commonwealth Games

Notable former players

Two of the highest points and try scorers in series history, Uale Mai and Mikaele Pesamino, played for Samoa. Pesamino was also named the 2010 IRB International Sevens Player of the Year, an honour which Uale Mai, a former team captain and one of the most capped players in the sport, had won in 2006. Captain Lolo Lui and teammate Alafoti Fa'osiliva had also been nominated.[13]

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File:Crowd cheering, Hong Kong Sevens 2009.jpg
Crowd at the 2009 Hong Kong Sevens

Player records

The following table shows Samoa's statistical career leaders in the World Rugby Sevens Series. Players in bold are still active. Mikaele Pesamino is Samoa's top try scorer in the World Rugby Sevens Series. He was the overall top try score in both the 2006–07 (43 tries) and the 2009–10 (56 tries) seasons.

Most tries[14]
Rank Player Tries
1 Mikaele Pesamino 161
2 Uale Mai 142
3 Alafoti Faosiliva 127
4 Alatasi Tupou 96
5 Samoa Toloa 93

Award winners

The following Samoa Sevens players have been recognised at the World Rugby Awards since 2004:[15]

World Rugby Men's 7s Player of the Year
Year Nominees Winners
2006 Uale Mai Uale Mai
2007 Mikaele Pesamino
2008 Uale Mai (2)
2010 Alafoti Fa'osiliva Mikaele Pesamino
Lolo Lui
Mikaele Pesamino (2)

Coaches

The current coach is Brian Lima, former player of the Samoa national rugby sevens team.

Past coaches include:

Other statistics

Year Host Cup Final Plate Final
Winner Score Runner-up Winner Score Runner-up
2009
Details
Dubai Exiles Rugby Ground File:Flag of New Zealand.svg
New Zealand
24-12 File:Flag of Samoa.svg
Samoa
File:Flag of Australia (converted).svg
Australia
7-0 File:Flag of South Africa.svg
South Africa
2008
Details
Dubai Exiles Rugby Ground File:Flag of South Africa.svg
South Africa
19-12 File:Flag of England.svg
England
File:Flag of Samoa.svg
Samoa
12-7 File:Flag of Kenya.svg
Kenya
2004
Details
Dubai Exiles Rugby Ground File:Flag of England.svg
England
26 - 21 File:Flag of Fiji.svg
Fiji
File:Flag of Samoa.svg
Samoa
21 - 19 File:Flag of Argentina.svg
Argentina
Year Venue Cup Plate
Winner Final score Runner-up Winner Final score Runner-up
2010
Details
Westpac Stadium File:Flag of Fiji.svg
Fiji
19-14 File:Flag of Samoa.svg
Samoa
File:Flag of Australia (converted).svg
Australia
26-22 File:Flag of South Africa.svg
South Africa
2008
Details
Westpac Stadium File:Flag of New Zealand.svg
New Zealand
22-7 File:Flag of Samoa.svg
Samoa
File:Flag of South Africa.svg
South Africa
19-12 File:Flag of Wales (1959–present).svg
Wales
Year Venue Cup Plate
Winner Final score Runner-up Winner Final score Runner-up
2007[16]
Details
Petco Park File:Flag of Fiji.svg
Fiji
38 - 24 File:Flag of Samoa.svg
Samoa
File:Flag of South Africa.svg
South Africa
28 - 19 File:Flag of Scotland.svg
Scotland
Year Venue Cup Plate
Winner Final score Runner-up Winner Final score Runner-up
2005
Details
Outeniqua Park File:Flag of Fiji.svg
Fiji
21 - 19 File:Flag of Argentina.svg
Argentina
File:Flag of Samoa.svg
Samoa
17 - 5 File:Flag of New Zealand.svg
New Zealand
Year Venue Cup Plate
Winner Final score Runner-up Winner Final score Runner-up
2007
Details
Adelaide Oval File:Flag of Fiji.svg
Fiji
21-7 File:Flag of Samoa.svg
Samoa
File:Flag of Australia (converted).svg
Australia
31-0 File:Flag of South Africa.svg
South Africa
Year Venue Cup Plate
Winner Final score Runner-up Winner Final score Runner-up
2007
Details
Murrayfield File:Flag of New Zealand.svg
New Zealand
34-5 File:Flag of Samoa.svg
Samoa
File:Flag of Fiji.svg
Fiji
31-7 File:Flag of Kenya.svg
Kenya
Year Venue Cup Plate
Winner Final score Runner-up Winner Final score Runner-up
2006
Details
Stade Jean-Bouin File:Flag of South Africa.svg
South Africa
33-12 File:Flag of Samoa.svg
Samoa
File:Flag of Fiji.svg
Fiji
31-12 File:Flag of Argentina.svg
Argentina
Year Venue Cup Plate
Winner Final score Runner-up Winner Final score Runner-up
2006
Details
National Stadium, Singapore File:Flag of Fiji.svg
Fiji
40-21 File:Flag of England.svg
England
File:Flag of Samoa.svg
Samoa
26-5 File:Flag of France.svg
France
Year Venue Cup Plate
Winner Final score Runner-up Winner Final score Runner-up
2006
Details
Twickenham File:Flag of Fiji.svg
Fiji
54-14 File:Flag of Samoa.svg
Samoa
File:Flag of South Africa.svg
South Africa
42-7 File:Flag of Kenya.svg
Kenya
Year Venue Cup Plate
Winner Final score Runner-up Winner Final score Runner-up
1998
Details
Hong Kong Stadium File:Flag of Fiji.svg
Fiji
28-19 File:Flag of Samoa.svg
Western Samoa
File:Flag of South Korea.svg
South Korea
40–14 File:Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg
Papua New Guinea
Year Venue Cup Plate
Winner Final score Runner-up Winner Final score Runner-up
1979
Details
HK Football Club Stadium File:Flag of Australia (converted).svg
Australia
39-3 File:Flag of Samoa.svg
Western Samoa
File:Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg
Papua New Guinea
13-10 File:Flag of Hawaii.svg
Hawaii

See also

References

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  14. World Rugby website, current as of 15 March 2020
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External links

Template:Samoa national rugby union team Template:Rugby union in Samoa Template:National rugby sevens teams Template:National sports teams of Samoa