Manu Samoa

He says that match will give them a fair indication of where they are and what they will need to do as Japan is also in their pool in France.

Mapusua has the experience and rugby knowledge of four former All Blacks and one Wallaby player in his squad.

He has named former Wallaby fly-half Christian Leali'ifano and ex-All Blacks Charlie Faumuina, Steven Luatua, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen and Lima Sopoaga along with a handful of Moana Pasifika players from the Super Rugby Pacific competition.

Seilala Mapusua told RNZ Pacific they are a very strong squad which includes one former Wallaby and four former All Blacks.

They are players who are taking advantage of the change in eligibility laws that allow players to switch international allegiances under certain conditions.

Former Wallaby fly-half and Moana Pasifika veteran Christian Leali'ifano joins ex-All Blacks Charlie Faumuina, Steven Luatua, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen and Lima Sopoaga in the Samoan team.

Slade has been selected for the Manu Samoa Pre-World Cup squad, however, the journey to get to the blue jersey hasn't always been, "sunshine and daisies".

"Being in a sport that is predominantly a male 'macho' sport, we are taught to get on with it".

The Sapunaoa and Vailoa (Savai'i) athlete says growing up he was, "quite self-conscious, a little bit anxious and prone to a little bit of sadness as well".

Despite this affecting his performance as a rugby player, he also used the sport as a vehicle to aid his mental well-being.

The squad includes former Wallaby fly-half Christian Leali’ifano and ex-All Blacks Charlie Faumuina, Steven Luatua and Lima Sopoaga.

Like Tonga, Samoa have capitalised on the change in the eligibility laws at the start of 2022 that allows players to switch international allegiances provided they have a credible link to the nation they wish to switch to and have observed a three-year standdown period.

Leali'ifano told media following Moana Pasifika's victory over the Waratahs on the weekend he is finalising paperwork that would make him eligible to play for Samoa.

Under new World Rugby rules, players can swap international jerseys if they haven't played for their original country for at least three years.

Leali'ifano last played for Australia in 2019.

The announcement was made by Australia’s Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Pat Conroy at his final address to conclude his first visit to Samoa yesterday.

“Rugby is an integral part of Samoa and Australia’s national identities and a symbol of the shared love of sports between the two nations. This Australian Government funding recognises our shared love of rugby, and the power of sports to bring our people together. Australia’s Pacific AusSports Initiative also assists other sporting codes including netball, cricket and rugby league.”

This is after the team went down to Fiji 19-24 in the bronze final.

Last minute tries to duo Joseva Talacolo and Terio Tamani saved Fiji from the jaws of defeat to claim third place in Singapore.

Fiji was down 7-19 with Samoa looking dominant and on course for its second win over the national side in Singapore.

Tamani put Fiji first on the board before Samoa hit back with three tries to Vaa Apelu Maliko, Tuna Tuitama and Taunuu Niulevaea.

Iowane Teba reignited Fiji’s hope before Talacolo and Tamani sealed it at the last minute of play.

The Pacific neighbours will face-off on Friday, 31 March, at 8.28pm (Samoa Time).

A day later, the Brian Lima coached side will take on Argentina before their final pool game against Canada.

The first cup quarter-final match is at 3.02pm (Samoa Time) on 2 April.

Fiji is yet to win a tournament on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series this year and sits on fourth place on the points table.

Samoa is currently in sixth place.

The Brian Lima coached side now has 81 points behind Fiji, who’s in fourth place with 84 points.

New Zealand continues to lead the series with 107 points ahead of Argentina in second place with 86 points.

South Africa is in third place with 86 points too.

Only the top four teams in the 2022/2023 Series plus hosts France will earn automatic qualification to next year’s Olympic Games in Paris.

The 27-year-old has been awarded DHL Impact Player in five out of the total of six games they played altogether.

Scanlan scored two tries and kicked a total of nine conversions in Los Angeles.

In this season of the World Sevens Series, he has played a total of 31 matches, scored a total of 16 tries, kicked 25 conversions and received one yellow card.