Not enough tournaments and a limited pool of players are headaches in selecting a formidable Manusina 7s team for the upcoming Challenger Series in Cape Town, South Africa said Manusina 7s head coach Filoi Eneliko. 

Eneliko said she has faith in the squad of local and overseas-based players.

"The hardest part of the selection is not enough pool of players to select from, at the moment there are not so many girls in the squad. We had 11 players, and some of our key players were injured. So it's been tough trying to find replacements. Which is why we have opted to look for a replacement overseas," she said.

"At the moment with our Manusina's preparations, we are in the fifth week of our preps. As you may have known, we are trying to find a spot in the HSBC series. 

"After the first two tournaments, the top eight will qualify for the next round in Poland. But preparations are going well and running smoothly. 

"This is why we have reached out to our overseas-based players who are available to assist and help with our team."

Her selected squad has never had time to play as a team in any tournament after the Oceania Games in Honiara, Solomon Islands. However, they are grateful to Manu Samoa 7s and head coach Matamua Upati Salima for having scrimmages with them. 

"For every team that is preparing for a tournament, they need to play as a team. It's the only thing that could get ladies a game time. I know it's not full contact but it helps. But it is the biggest challenge for us, there are no tournaments and no games where they can play together to prepare for this because we may have the fitness every time we have our runs but the fitness when it's contact, one to two tackles and they'll run out of breath. So, yes it has a huge impact on our team."

Three players who were part of the Oceania 7s have not been selected due to injuries and family commitments. Three additional players from overseas have filled up the spots. 

"We have 14 players since it's two weeks of tournaments. However, only 12 can play. But we are taking them in case anything happens to a player but we have other players to turn to. We have five overseas-based players, one of them came early this year to train together with the team."

The team departed Samoa on Sunday for Auckland and will have a one-week training camp. They will make their way there to South Africa on 22 February. There are 12 teams in their pool and their biggest challenge would be Kenya and Poland. Samoa is currently ranked 12th. 

Manusina 7s: Maria Nikolao, Davina Lasini, Joanna Faanene Lolo, Faaaloalo Luafitu, Fogamanono Tusiga, Fofoga Vaa, Saelua Leaula (c), Siluando Lafai, Linda Fiafia, Machiko Silila Fepuleai, Drenna Falaniko, Leutu Iefata Suaesi, Araisa Isamaeli Fetaiai, and Manaia-Rose Afuie.