# Samoa national rugby sevens team

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 Fiji 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 record :
| Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | L | D | Qualifying |
| 2016 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Lost 12–19 to Spain in the final of the final qualifying tournament. |
| 2020 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Lost 31–0 to France in the semifinal of the final qualifying tournament. |
| 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
* 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 Record :
| Year | Round | Position | Games | Won | Lost | Drew | Most tries | Most points |
| 1993 | Quarterfinals | 5th | 8 | 6 | 2 | 0 | | |
| 1997 | Semifinals | 3rd | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | | |
| 2001 | Quarterfinals | 5th | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | | |
| 2005 | Plate finals | 9th | 8 | 7 | 1 | 0 | | |
| 2009 | Semifinals | 3rd | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | | |
| 2013 | Plate finals | 10th | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | | |
| 2018 | Challenge quarterfinals | 13th | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | Joe Perez (4) | Alatasi Tupou (24) |
| 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 :
| Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | L | D |
| 1998 | Semifinalists | 4th | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| 2002 | Semifinalists | 4th | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 |
| 2006 | Plate semifinalists | 7th | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| 2010 | Plate winners | 5th | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| 2014 | Semifinalists | 4th | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| 2018 | Group stage | 9th-T | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| 2022 | Fifth place playoff | 5th | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Total | Three fourth-place finishes | Three fourth-place finishes | 36 | 20 | 15 | 1 |

## 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 | New Zealand |
| South Africa | Outeniqua Park, George | 11–12 December 2009 | New Zealand |
| New Zealand | Westpac Stadium, Wellington | 5–6 February 2010 | Fiji |
| United States | Sam Boyd Stadium, Las Vegas | 13–14 February 2010 | Samoa |
| Australia | Adelaide Oval, Adelaide | 19–21 March 2010 | Samoa |
| Hong Kong | Hong Kong Stadium | 26–28 March 2010 | Samoa |
| London | Twickenham | 22–23 May 2010 | Australia |
| Edinburgh | Murrayfield, Edinburgh | 29–30 May 2010 | Samoa |
Overall standings
2009–10 standings :
| Pos. | Country | Dubai | South Africa (George) | New Zealand (Welling­ton) | USA (Las Vegas) | Australia (Adelaide) | Hong Kong | England (London) | Scotland (Edin­burgh) | Overall |
| 1 | Samoa | 20 | 6 | 20 | 24 | 24 | 30 | 16 | 24 | 164 |
| 2 | New Zealand | 24 | 24 | 16 | 20 | 12 | 25 | 12 | 16 | 149 |
| 3 | Australia | 12 | 6 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 24 | 20 | 122 |
| 4 | Fiji | 16 | 20 | 24 | 8 | 6 | 20 | 8 | 6 | 108 |
| 5 | England | 16 | 12 | 16 | 6 | 4 | 20 | 6 | 16 | 96 |
| 6 | South Africa | 8 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 8 | 10 | 20 | 6 | 80 |
| 7 | Argentina | 6 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 16 | 8 | 62 |
| 8 | Kenya | 6 | 16 | 6 | 16 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 52 |
| 9 | Wales | 4 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 4 | 34 |
| 10 | United States | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 20 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 32 |
| 11 | Canada | DNP | DNP | 6 | 0 | DNP | 5 | 4 | 0 | 15 |
| 12 | 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.

## 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 |
| Vaovasa Afa Su'a (c) | Forward | (1991-10-11) 11 October 1991 (age 33) | 18 | Tama Uli |
| BJ Telefoni Lima | Forward | 1999 (age 25–26) | 6 | Marist St. Joseph |
| Taunuu Niulevaea | Forward | (2000-01-21) 21 January 2000 (age 25) | 14 | Safotu |
| Motu Opetai | Forward | (2001-06-20) 20 June 2001 (age 23) | 18 | Matāfala |
| Paulo Scanlan | Forward | (1996-08-09) 9 August 1996 (age 28) | 25 | Moata'a |
| Elisapeta Alofipo | Back | (1997-12-11) 11 December 1997 (age 27) | 28 | Tama Uli |
| Faafoi Falaniko | Back | (2002-03-14) 14 March 2002 (age 22) | 17 | Tepatasi |
| Faamaoni Junior Lalomilo | Back | (2000-07-10) 10 July 2000 (age 24) | 3 | Marist St. Joseph |
| Malakesi Masefau | Back | (2005-01-09) 9 January 2005 (age 20) | 4 | Tepatasi |
| Levi Milford | Back | (2001-09-18) 18 September 2001 (age 23) | 10 | Marist St. Joseph |
| Pelasio Samuelu Niuula | Back | 2001 (age 23–24) | 2 | Tepatasi |
| Taitaifono Senio Tavita | Back | 2004 (age 20–21) | 2 | Apia Maroons |
| Paul Eti Slater | Back | (1993-09-12) 12 September 1993 (age 31) | 14 | Laulii Lions |

## 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 Squad
* Afa 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 Koko | Junior 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.

### 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 |
| 2010 | Lolo Lui | Mikaele Pesamino |
| 2010 | Mikaele Pesamino (2) | Mikaele Pesamino |

## 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.

## Other statistics

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