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. 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 by winning four tournaments – the Hong Kong Sevens, the USA Sevens, the Adelaide Sevens, and the Edinburgh Sevens. 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 in the final on each occasion.
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
Olympic Games recordYearRoundPosition Qualifying 2016Did not qualify Lost 12–19 to Spain in the final of the final qualifying tournament. 2020Lost 31–0 to France in the semifinal of the final qualifying tournament. 20249th Place Final 10th5230Won Oceania Olympic Qualifying Total 0 Titles 1/3 5230-
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
Andrew Aiolupo (Moata'a) Alama Ieremia (Wellington) Danny Kaleopa (Moata'a) Lolani Koko (Moata'a) Brian Lima (Marist St Joseph) Veli Patu (Vaiala) Ofisa Tonu'u (Wellington) To'o Vaega (Vaiala) Sila Vaifale (Marist St Joseph) 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
Kalolo Toleafoa Isaac Fe'aunati Rudolf Moors Brian Lima Tainafi Patu Afato So'oalo Terry Fanolua Sila Vaifale Laiafi Papali'i 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
Tim Cowley Gaolo Elisara Ron Fanuatanu Daniel Farani Ailaoa Samania Toa Samania Semo Sititi Steven So'oialo Luke Mealamu 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
Lome Fa'atau Sailosi Tagicakibau Paul Perez Junior Leota Kiri Mariner Gaolo Elisara Apoua Stewart Brian Lima Uale Mai Samu Eteuati Mark Tanuvasa David Lemi
Rugby World Cup Sevens RecordYearRoundPosition Games Won Lost Drew Most tries Most points 1993Quarterfinals5th8620 1997Semifinals3rd6510 2001Quarterfinals5th6420 2005Plate finals9th8710 2009Semifinals3rd5410 2013Plate finals10th6420 2018 Challenge quarterfinals 13th 5 3 2 0 Joe Perez (4) Alatasi Tupou (24) 20227th Place Final8th4130Total 2 bronze medals 8/8 48 34 14 0 Brian Lima (17) Brian Lima (101)
Commonwealth Games Commonwealth recordYearRoundPosition 1998Semifinalists4th7421 2002Semifinalists4th6240 2006Plate semifinalists7th5230 2010Plate winners5th6420 2014Semifinalists4th6420 2018 Group stage 9th-T 3 1 2 0 2022 Fifth place playoff 5th 6 4 2 0Total Three fourth-place finishes 3620151
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:
2009–10 itinerary Leg Venue Date Winner Dubai The Sevens 4–5 December 2009 South Africa Outeniqua Park, George 11–12 December 2009 New Zealand Westpac Stadium, Wellington 5–6 February 2010 United States Sam Boyd Stadium, Las Vegas 13–14 February 2010 Australia Adelaide Oval, Adelaide 19–21 March 2010 Hong Kong Hong Kong Stadium 26–28 March 2010 London Twickenham 22–23 May 2010 Edinburgh Murrayfield, Edinburgh 29–30 May 2010 Overall standings 2009–10 standingsPos. CountryDubaiSouth Africa(George)New Zealand(Wellington)USA(Las Vegas)Australia(Adelaide)Hong KongEngland(London)Scotland(Edinburgh)Overall 1 20 6 20 24 24 30 16 24 164 2 24 24 16 20 12 25 12 16 149 3 12 6 12 16 16 16 24 20 122 4 16 20 24 8 6 20 8 6 108 5 16 12 16 6 4 20 6 16 96 6 8 8 8 12 8 10 20 6 80 7 6 16 0 0 16 0 16 8 62 8 6 16 6 16 0 8 0 0 52 9 4 4 4 6 6 0 6 4 34 10 0 0 0 4 20 8 0 0 32 11 DNP DNP 6 0 DNP 5 4 0 15 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 12
Sevens Series tournament Cup wins EventVenueWinnerScoreRunner-up2022 South Africa SevensCape Town StadiumSamoa12–7New Zealand2016 Paris SevensStade Jean Bouin Samoa29–26Fiji2012 Dubai SevensThe Sevens StadiumSamoa26–15 New Zealand2012 USA SevensSam Boyd StadiumSamoa26–19 New Zealand2011 Safari SevensNyayo National StadiumSamoa31–12 Samurai Sevens2010 Edinburgh SevensMurrayfield StadiumSamoa41–14 Australia2010 Hong Kong SevensHong Kong StadiumSamoa24–21 New Zealand2010 Adelaide SevensAdelaide OvalSamoa38–10 United States2010 USA SevensSam Boyd StadiumSamoa 33–12 New Zealand2008 London SevensWestpac StadiumSamoa19–14Fiji2007 Hong Kong SevensHong Kong StadiumSamoa27–22 Fiji2007 Wellington SevensWestpac StadiumSamoa14–7 Fiji2005 Safari SevensRFUEA GroundSamoa50-5 Western Province1993 Hong Kong SevensHong Kong StadiumWestern Samoa14–12 Fiji1992 Middlesex SevensTwickenham StadiumWestern Samoa30–6 London Scottish
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
2014 Commonwealth Games SquadAfa Aiono Alex Samoa Levi Asifaamatala Fa'alemiga Selesele Lio Lolo Saena Vili Alatasi Tupou Lolo Lui Reupena Levasa Tulolo Tulolo Etiuefa Fiavaai Samoa Toloa Sonny Fereti George Antaky
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.
Anitelea Aiolupo Lome Fa'atau Fa'atonu Fili Malaki Iupeli Danny Kaleopa Lolani KokoJunior Paramore Afato So'oalo Steven So'oialo Filipo Toala Sila Vaifale Alefaio Vaisuai
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 triesWorld Rugby website, current as of 15 March 2020 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: + 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: 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.
Former 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 YearHostCup FinalPlate FinalWinnerScoreRunner-upWinnerScoreRunner-up2009 DetailsDubai Exiles Rugby Ground24-127-02008 DetailsDubai Exiles Rugby Ground19-1212-72004 DetailsDubai Exiles Rugby Ground26 - 2121 - 19 YearVenueCupPlateWinnerFinal scoreRunner-upWinnerFinal scoreRunner-up2010 DetailsWestpac Stadium19-1426-222008 DetailsWestpac Stadium22-719-12 YearVenueCupPlateWinnerFinal scoreRunner-upWinnerFinal scoreRunner-up2007 DetailsPetco Park38 - 2428 - 19