Samoa national rugby sevens team

History

The first Samoan sevens team was selected in November 1978 to play at the invitation Hong Kong Sevens under the leadership of former SRU representative captain, Tuatagaloa Keli Tuatagaloa. 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.

Tournament history

Summer Olympics

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

Commonwealth Games

World Rugby Sevens Series

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. 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:

Overall standings

Sevens Series tournament Cup wins

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

In December 2022, Samoa won the Cape Town Sevens, defeating New Zealand 12–7 in the final to claim their first Series Cup title since 2016. Samoa had previously won the Paris Sevens in 2016, coming from 7–26 down to beat Fiji 29–26 in the final.

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.

Records and statistics

Former squads

Squad to 2015 Pacific Games:

• Fa'alemiga Selesele
• Tila Mealoi
• Tunufai Tunufai
• Phoenix Hunapo-Nofoa
• Alefosio Tapili
• Alex Samoa
• Tomasi Alosio
• Belgium Tuatagaloa
• Alamanda Motuga
• Ed Fidow
• Savelio Ropati
• Samoa Toloa

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.{{cite web

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.

Award winners

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

Coaches

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

Past coaches include:

• Lilomaiava Taufusi Salesa coached the 1993 Hong Kong Sevens winning team.
• Fuimaono Titimaea "Dicky" Tafua coached the team on the 2005-2006 IRB Sevens Circuit where they qualified to two finals ( the London Sevens, where they lost to South Africa, and the Paris Sevens where they lost to Fiji). Fuimaono resigned from coaching in 2007 to his new post as Secretary to Samoa's Head of State, Tupua Tamasese Tufuga Efi.
• Damian McGrath won a Cup in Paris was sacked by the SRU controversially.
• Galumalemana Rudolph Moors took over as coach, but after a disappointing team performance in the 2008–09 Series he was temporarily replaced by Lilomaiava Taufusi Salesa for the final two legs of the series.
• Stephen Betham was named as Moors' successor in 2009.

Coaches

• Lilomaiava Taufusi Salesa – led the 1993 Hong Kong Sevens winners.
• Sir Gordon Tietjens (2016–2020).
• Brian Lima (c. 2019/20–August 2024).
• Matamua Upati Junior Salima (appointed for Oceania Sevens, Nov 2024).

Other statistics

References

References

1. Hunter, Russell. (22 March 2010). "A breathtaking achievement". Samoa Observer.
2. "International Rugby Board, Retrieved 31 May 2010".
3. (21 March 2010). "Superb Samoa wins Adelaide Sevens". International Rugby Board.
4. "History of the Hong Kong Sevens". Rugby7.
5. (28 March 1993). "Rugby Union / Hong Kong Sevens: Fiji lose sevens' title to Samoans". The Independent.
6. (30 May 2010). "Mikaele Pesamino IRB Sevens Player of Year". World Rugby.
7. (8 July 2009). "2009/10 IRB Sevens World Series schedule set". International Rugby Board.
8. "Overall Standings". International Rugby Board.
9. "Constitution Amendment Act (No 2) 1997".
10. (11 December 2022). "Samoa upsets defending champion NZ to win Cape Town Sevens". AP News.
11. (19 December 2022). "Damian McGrath delighted for Samoa after Cape Town success".
12. (17 May 2016). "Selesele and Samoa storm to Paris title".
13. (15 May 2016). "Samoa stun Fiji in classic Paris Sevens final". Reuters.
14. pg2015.gems.pro. (9 July 2015). "2015 Pacific Games Men's 7s".
15. IRB. (16 July 2014). "Commonwealth Games Sevens squads: Latest".
16. [https://www.world.rugby/sevens-series/stats/mens/alltime/players?metric=tries&team=2418 World Rugby website, current as of 15 March 2020]
17. "Awards Roll of Honour - World Rugby".
18. (28 March 1993). "Rugby Union / Hong Kong Sevens: Fiji lose sevens' title to Samoans". The Independent.
19. (5 October 2016). "Sir Gordon Tietjens to coach Samoa sevens". The Guardian/PA.
20. (22 August 2024). "Lakapi Samoa axe Manu Samoa Sevens coach Brian Lima". Samoa Observer.
21. (18 November 2024). "Lakapi Samoa names coaches for Oceania Rugby Sevens".
22. (11 February 2007). "USA secure Shield at USA Sevens". ESPN.