The Manu Samoa 7s team were given a warm welcome on Wednesday night at the Faleolo International Airport following their cup title victory in South Africa last weekend.

They were met by fans and members of the public, who upon the team's exit from customs, began praising and thanking them for their HSBC World Rugby 7s Series cup title victory.

Members of the public and fans had waited for the team and upon their arrival at the airport thanked the team, following their victory in South Africa last weekend, when they claimed their first HSBC World Rugby Series cup title since 2016. 

They were gifted with leis and hugs, prior to the team performing the Manu Samoan haka outside the airport terminal, to show their appreciation for the welcome ceremony by fans and members of the public.

An official programme for the Manu Samoa 7s team is yet to be released by the game's governing body Lakapi Samoa. 

It is also not known if the official celebration of the team's Cape Town HSBC World Rugby Series victory will coincide or even be merged with that of rugby league's Toa Samoa's official tour program starting 27 December 2022.

Rugby union pundits have described the Cape Town victory of the Manu Samoa 7s team as a real booster shot for the HSBC World Rugby 7s Series.

Scott Hornell, the Managing Editor of sports-focused website Last Word, said the Samoans' victory is a real boost for the 2022/23 HSBC Sevens Series.

"Too often, a side dominates for stages of the sevens series. Even for the season, and that can make for a stagnated feel," Mr. Hornell wrote. 

"The South African men had, and the Aussie 7s still do. Not anymore – this opportunity taken by the Samoans will encourage others. 

"Like Ireland, who recently competed in the Dubai 7s final, it all helps. And to the likes of Spain, who defeated New Zealand for that nation’s first time ever on day one."

Mr. Hornell said, in analysis of last weekend's tournament in Cape Town, that the win by Manu Samoa 7s proves that anything is possible and also that hard work pays off. 

"Yet if this Samoa rugby sevens win proves anything, it is that sitting back on past accomplishments means little," he said. 

"Hard work pays off, and if the Christmas break can be used well by others, then fans might expect more from the likes of Argentina, France, Great Britain, and Canada."

The next round of the HSBC World Rugby 7s Series is in Hamilton, New Zealand from 20–21 January 2023.