Samoa are claiming underdog status ahead of this weekend's Oceania Sevens Championship in Auckland.
A spot at the Rio Olympics is on offer for the men's and women's winners, with the second and third place finishers to get one final qualifying chance next year.
Australia and Samoa are expected to be the main contenders in the men's draw.
Samoa and Fiji clash in pool play at the Hong Kong Sevens. Photo: World Rugby / Martin Seras Lima
Englishman Damian McGrath has been in charge of Samoa for the past two months, taking over a team that slumped to tenth place in the last World Series.
He's expecting a tough initiation.
"Tonga and Papua New Guinea are going to be tough opponents but the obvious obstacle for us qualifying is going to be Australia. I know they've got a big playing base, drawing from some of their Super 15 teams. They've been working together I think for five months - they will be the obvious favourite and I suppose if we're going to qualify in Auckland then it's going to be Australia who are going to be the team to beat."
Meanwhile World Series regulars Fiji are favourites to secure the women's berth ahead of Samoa.
The Fiji and New Zealand men's and Australia and New Zealand women's teams have already qualified for the Olympics, and are not contesting the Oceania tournament.
The Manusina celebrate winning the Plate title at the Borneo Sevens in Indonesia. Photo: Samoa Women's Rugby Union
Nauru sevens team keen to learn and improve.
The Nauru sevens team is targeting improvement in all facets during the Oceania Championship.
It will be only Nauru's second-ever international rugby appearance, after making their debut at the Pacific Games in July, where they finished winless and last in the men's competition.
Head coach Ashly Dagan says they just want to get better.
"We've told the boys that we're expecting a step-up level from Pacific Games. Especially with this Oceania tournament being an Olympic qualifier we're just happy to be a part of this tournament and to learn from the best and I keep emphasising to the boys this tournament is all about just improving and focusing on our game-play - getting the basics right and executing as a team. We wouldn't worry much about the scoreboard - it's just focusing on each set play and hoping the result goes our way."
Nauru will face Australia, Tonga and Cook Islands in today's round-robin fixtures.
Photo: 123rf
