Manusina

The Manusina raced out to a 17-0 lead inside the first 20 minutes in Lautoka, against a Hong Kong team which had convincingly defeated Fiji at the weekend.

Lock Apaula Kerisiano Enesi, debutant hooker Eta Mailau and fullback Soteria Pulumu scored tries for Samoa.

Co-captain Marilyn Live also found the tryline as Samoa went into half-time with a commanding 22-0 lead.

Hong Kong fought back in the second spell with three tries but substitute Ta'imua Taiao and a second from fullback Pulumu sealed a convincing Samoan victory against the 2017 World Cup attendees.

The Manusina finished runners up at the Oceania tournament in November, in their first international matches in four years, beating Papua New Guinea and Tonga before being outclassed 43-12 by eventual winners Fiji.

Head coach Ramsey Tomokino has selected 12 new caps in a 27-strong squad to face Hong Kong and Fiji and believes they can be competitive against difficult opposition.

RNZI reports the Manusina advanced to the knockout rounds after wins over Zimbabwe and Madagascar.

But after being thrashed 47-0 by Russia in their final group match, the Samoans were outclassed 26-0 by Kazakhstan in the quarter finals and 28-5 by China in the playoff for fifth to eighth place.

RNZI reports the Manusina and Cook Islands are among 16 teams competing in this weekend's Olympic repechage in Dublin.

The winning team will claim the 12th and final place in Brazil, alongside World Series champions Australia, Oceania winners Fiji and the Olympic hosts.

The Mansina conceded 108 points in losing all three pool matches against Wales, Brazil and Japan.

Things didn't get much better on day two, as they fell to Columbia 12-5 before salvaging some pride with a 22-0 win over Mexico in the 11th place playoff to avoid the wooden spoon.

Team manager Toleafoa Mara Hunter says it was an eye-opening experience.