Samoa have selected homegrown squads for the men's and women's Final Olympic Sevens Qualifying Tournaments in Monaco at the end of the month.
Former Manu Samoa halfback Melani Matavao will feature in the final Olympic sevens qualfier. Photo: Mike Lee - KLC fotos for World Rugby
Vaovasa Afa Sua, Steve Onosai Rimoni, Faafoi Falaniko Lotopue, Bright Tapeneko, Tipa Sapeti and Neueli Leitufia are the new caps in the Manu Samoa Sevens Squad, which has not played an international match since the last World Sevens Series event, in March 2020.
Vaafauese Apelu Maliko, Uaina Sione, Paul Scanlan and Melani Matavao all featured in that tournament in Vancouver, while Paul Eti Slater has previously competed for Samoa on the World Series and David Tavita at the Pacific Games.
Lakapi Samoa had raised the prospect of selecting European-based former All Blacks in Monaco, who would be able to switch their international allegiance to Samoa, but have ultimately stuck with a squad of local players, who have been training in Samoa in under head coach Muliagatele Brian Lima.
Manu Samoa sevens coach Muliagatele Brian Lima. Photo: Samoa Rugby Union
Elisapeta Alofipo, Joe Perez, Losi Filipo and Tomasi Alosio all featured for the Manu Sevens last season, but were unavailable for Monaco after being selected for the Manu Samoa team that will face the Māori All Blacks and Tonga in June and July.
Meanwhile Manusina head coach Auimatagi Sapani Pomare has selected six players from the Apia Maroons in his 12-strong squad for Monaco.
The women have not competed on the international stage since the 2019 Oceania Sevens in Fiji.
The Samoa men will face Ireland, Tonga, Zimbabwe and Mexico in pool play later this month, with the Manusina women up against Russia, Argentina and Mexico.
The Tonga men and Papua New Guinea women are also competing in the Final Olympic Qualifier, with one men's and two women's qualifying berths in Tokyo up for grabs.
The Samoa women's sevens team held trials in January. Photo: Facebook/Manusina Sevens
Manu Samoa Sevens squad:
Vaafauese Apelu Maliko, Uaina Sione, Vaovasa Afa Sua, Melani Matavao, Steve Onosai Rimoni, Faafoi Falaniko, Bright Tapeneko, Paul Scanlan, David Tavita, Tipa Sapeti, Neueli Leitufia, Paul Eti Slater.
Manusina Sevens squad:
Elisapeta Leti, Faalua Lefulefu Maninoa, Fogamanono Tusiga, Fofoga Vaa, Fuarosa Nuusila, Jasmine Esekia, Linda Fiafia, Lomi Peniamina, Perise Tumutumu, Ofa Sopoaga, Rebirth Vaaga, Saelua Leaula.