The Samoan rugby sevens side didn't get the services of the Chiefs utility back Tim Nanai-Williams until the day before the Wellington tournament.
Samoa's Tim Nanai-Williams is tackled by New Zealand's Joe Webber during the South Africa Sevens at Port Elizabeth. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The 25-year-old took part in last month's Dubai and Port Elizabeth legs of the World Series, and will become eligible for the full Manu Samoa team if he plays in two more tournaments.
The rest of the Samoa sevens team arrived in Wellington at the weekend but Nanai-Williams wasn't released by the Chiefs until Thursday.
Samoa have slipped to seventh in the World Series after missing the playoffs in the last two legs and are in the same pool as Argentina, Scotland and Kenya in Wellington.