Manu Samoa 7s name opening World Series squad
The Manu Samoa 7s have named three potential World Rugby Sevens Series debutants in their squad for the opening tournaments in Dubai and Capetown.
The squad of 14 (13 players may participate in any one tournament) includes new faces Losilosivale Filipo, Tuna Tuitama and Kelvin Masoe, although Filipo did make his international debut during the Oceania Sevens in Fiji earlier this month.
Uaina Sione got injured at that tournament, so forward Phillip Luki replaces him in the squad for Dubai and Capetown.
Regular captain David Afamasaga is still out injured, as is playmaker Melani Matavao.
The Manu will depart Samoa in the next week ahead of the opening World Rugby Sevens Series round in Dubai starting on Friday December 6th (Samoan time).
Samoa, who are in Pool C, will play the opening match of the men’s series against Canada at 3:06 am, before their Day Two fixtures against Wales (9:14 pm Friday) and New Zealand (3:28 am Saturday).
The favourable seeding, which should see Samoa proceed to the quarterfinals, comes from their sixth place finish in the overall Series standings last season.
Manu Samoa 7s squad:
Alamanda Motuga
Tomasi Alosio Logotuli
Losilosivale Filipo
Belgium Tuatagaloa
Kirisimasi Eteuati Savaiinaea
Joe Perez
Elisapeta Alofipo
John Vaili
Paulo Scanlan
Phillip Luki
Laaloi Leilua
Tuna Tuitama
Kelvin Masoe
Head Coach: Sir Gordon Tietjens
Team Manager: Peter Poulos
Physiotherapist: Nathen Foulagi
Strength and Conditioning: Keith Roberts
Video Analyst: Ian Tuputala
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