Samoa expect to be at full strength for next month's Olympic men's sevens qualifier in Monaco.
A week after their stunning victory in Paris, the Manu struggled in the World Series finale in London...winning just one of five games.
Samoa in the changing rooms after winning the Paris Sevens. Photo: World Rugby / Martin Seras Lima
Samoa used just 11 players at Twickenham but head coach Damian McGrath expected to have a few more options available in just under four weeks time.
"We didn't play Alamanda Motuga because he's dislocated (his) shoulder so he, according to our physio, is going to be more or less ready to play so that's a big plus. Tila Mealoi played on one leg this weekend and didn't do any more damage so he should be fit with a couple of weeks rest and everybody else is just suffering the usual bumps and bruises and tiredness so, with the return of Phoenix Hunapo-Nofoa, we should have at least 14 of our best players to pick from."
Samoa sevens player Alamanda Motuga. Photo: Facebook / Bluesky Samoa
Damian McGrath said there would not be any shock Jarryd Hayne-style inclusions in the Samoa team but, with captain Faalemiga Selesele named in the World Series Dream Team and the way they performed against Fiji's top line-up in the Paris final, he believed they could match it with the best.
Canada and Russia are the other two World Series regulars chasing the final Olympic qualifying berth, while Tonga is the other Oceania representative.
The Cook Islands finished third at the Oceania Sevens Championship. Photo: RNZI
Samoa and the Cook Islands will contest the women's final qualifier in Dublin the following week.
Samoa women's sevens coach Ramsey Tomokino issues instructions during training. Photo: Twitter / Manusina_SWR
Pools Drawn
The pools have been drawn for the men's and women's repechage events.
Oceania representatives Samoa and Tongahave been drawn in Pool A in then men's repechage, alongside Zimbabwe and Ireland.
In the women's draw, the Samoa are in Pool A, alongside Zimbabwe and Madagascar.
The Cook Islands are in Pool D, alongside Hong Kong, Argentina and Kazakhstan.
One winner from each tournament will qualify for the Rio Olympics.
Monaco Sevens:
Pool A: Samoa, Zimbabwe, Tonga, Ireland
Pool B: Canada, Germany, Uruguay, Sri Lanka
Pool C: Russia, Chile, Morocco, Tunisia
Pool D: Hong Kong, Spain, Mexico, South Korea
Dublin Sevens:
Pool A: Seed 1*, Samoa, Zimbabwe, Madagascar
Pool B: Seed 2*, Mexico, Venezuela, Tunisia
Pool C: Seed 3*, China, Portugal, Trinidad and Tobago
Pool D: Hong Kong, Argentina, Kazakhstan, Cook Islands
* Seeds one-three (Russia, Spain and Ireland) will be confirmed after the final round of the Women's Sevens Series in Clermont-Ferrand this weekend.
