Samoan Black Ferns Theresa Matauaina Setefano had the pleasure of providing a training session for the Manusina 7s on the weekend.

She was enthusiastic about her time with them. She said it was a very special moment for her, it brought joy to her heart to see half of the girls turn up despite being in the holiday season.

"It's really special for my husband and I. Since we were in Samoa, and he has some connections with Manusina, his cousin is Filoi the coach of the sevens team," she said. 

"So we were lucky enough to get them together today. I know they came even though they are on holiday, so we're very blessed that the majority of them showed up and we were able to run a training session, to share some of our skills and knowledge. 

"They were awesome, and they were very engaging. The skill level was good. It was a lot of fun getting used to the heat too. It was always good, on the World Series we follow the sun. So this is a nice extra training for us."

She will be returning to New Zealand on 4 January and straight into training with her Black Ferns team. She is also not wasting any time here in Samoa.

"We start training on 6 January, preparing for the next World Series tournament in Paris, which is at the end of January. So we're trying to train here as much as we can. I forced my family to come out and train with me. Yesterday was hard, we had a running session and it was very hot. They didn't enjoy that much but we got it done."

Theresa highlighted the difference between training in New Zealand where they are professionally contracted and in Samoa they play out of passion. She encourages the girls to enjoy the process. 

"We are very lucky in New Zealand. We are all fully contracted, we get paid to train and be a professional athlete. Coming here to Samoa, I know it's far from what we get," she said. 

"And so the gratitude level here is unreal. Everyone was just happy to be here and doing all that they can. Attitude is awesome. Passion is there and so I know that they will continue to keep going, and hopefully, we can come back and visit a few more times. 

"We are all supporting our girls here in Samoa from New Zealand, and hoping they do well in the upcoming season."

Despite playing, born and bred in New Zealand, she is a Teine Samoa (Samoan girl) at heart. 

"Highlights would be the fruits. I enjoy it much more here than in New Zealand. The coconut, pawpaw and everything. Little words of encouragement for the girls would just keep going," she said. 

"Keep training hard, keep working hard, and keep enjoying rugby. That's probably the main thing, is that they continue to have fun and grow at the same time.

"Sevens isn't a game of being comfortable, and so it is going to get uncomfortable at times, but just keep pushing through with your team, with your sisters, and the results will come in the end, but just focus on the process. For now, celebrate every small win that you get."