Manu Samoa Sevens is going to the Olympic Games in France after a 24-0 victory over Papua New Guinea in the Qualifier Final at the Oceania 7s Championships in Ballymore, Australia.

After having missed out on qualifying for the last two Olympic Games, Manu Samoa will for the first time go to the Olympic Games.

Co-captain Paul Scanlan was emphatic after the game and said the real hard work starts now.

“First of all thanks and glory goes to the Lord. We could not have done this without the support of our family and friends who have stood with us all the way,” he said in the post-match interview.

Samoa’s relentless defence was the key in their win and players combined well to score three tries in the first half to lead 19-0 and once again Vaa Apelu Maleko had a standout performance as he scored the lone try in the second half.

Maleko had stated before his departure to France that he would be available for sevens duties and will be available for the Olympic Games.

Manu Samoa Sevens coach Muliagatele Brian Lima had stated at the beginning of the year that the ultimate goal for the team had always been to go to the Olympic Games.

Rugby sevens was added as an Olympic sport in 2016. Next year will be the third Olympic Games where the sport will be played. Unfortunately, Samoa had missed out on the first two.

Samoa had tried to get an automatic spot by finishing in the top four of the World Sevens Series. Despite an impressive season the team did not make the cut and had to wait for the Oceania qualifiers.

Just before the tournament had started Muliagatele had said that the Oceania 7s tournament was a chance to make amends after narrowly missing automatic Olympic qualification last season, and that they have done so.

“Although we were extremely disappointed that we missed out on automatic qualification, we are aware that the Oceania 7s is perhaps our best chance to qualify, with New Zealand, Fiji, and Australia having already qualified,” Muliagatele told Oceania Rugby media at the start of the tournament.

“It is critical that we make use of this opportunity because, should we fail, the chances will be even more difficult, with South Africa, Great Britain, and Ireland also vying for the remaining spots in the final Olympic repechage next year”.

Manu Samoa will now gear up for the start of the World Sevens Series which kicks off in Dubai in December.