Samoa 7s

The Manu 7s won the title back in 2010 but have not finished higher than eighth in the past five World Series campaigns.

The top four teams in the upcoming season will earn automatic qualification for the 2020 Olympics and head coach Sir Gordon Tietjens said Samoa is determined to make it to Tokyo.

"For us it's a big year because Samoa was certainly disappointed we missed out on qualification for the (2016 Rio) Olympics a number of years back now," he said.

Samoa was ranked No. 10 at the end of the World Rugby Sevens series in June this year.

Dubai 7s will be at the end of November.

1. Alamanda Motuga

2. Alatasi Tupou

3. Asi Fa'amatalaga

4. Aukusitino Ioane

5. David Afamasaga

6. Della Neli

7. Elisapeta Alofipo

8. Faafou Amate

9. Iakopo Malu

10. Ikifusi Matamu

11. Joe Perez

12. Johnny Vaili

13. Jonathan Timo

14. Kelvin Masoe

15. Kirisimasi Savaiinaea

16. Kris Setu

17. Laaloi Leilua

18. Lotu Lagaaia

Having outclassed Japan 35-10 and Argentina 43-7 enroute to the semi finals, the World Series runners-up let a half-time slip to lose 22-17 to New Zealand, the same team that denied them Commonwealth Games gold in April.

The Fijians were then denied a consolation medal after being 24-19 by South Africa in the bronze playoff.

Samoa's Sevens World Cup has finished under a cloud after an unnamed player was suspended for the final day's play.

The Manu ranked 13th last season, and only managed to make the Cup quarter finals once in ten tournaments.

Coach Sir Gordon Tietjens believes a top eight finish is achievable this time around but nothing can be taken for granted.

"To do well in a World Series you've got to get off to a good start so we certainly have got a very very tough pool - probably the pool of death really if you look at all the pools. It's New Zealand first up, which is going to be a toughie, and USA and Argentina so no easy games looking ahead," he said.

22 players have been contracted by the Samoa Rugby Union for the new season, which kicks off in Dubai on Friday.

The Manu finished a lowly 13th on the World Series last season, and only managed to make the Cup quarter finals once in ten tournaments.

Sir Gordon Tietjens said he has the ability to contract up to 24 players and still has some spots available.

The Olympic champions relinquished their World Series title last weekend, with South Africa winning the Paris title to open up a massive 34 point lead over nearest rivals England, with one round remaining.

Fiji lost to Samoa in pool play before back to back defeats against Scotland and the United States.

Head coach Gareth Baber said they let themselves down.

"We felt we didn't play to the performance standards that we set previously. We wanted to make up for some of that but what was good about Paris was the introduction of four new faces as well,"he said.

Former captain Faalemiga Selesele is back on the World Series, after impressing at the Brisbane Global Tens, while Afa Aiono has recovered from injury and assumes the captaincy, freeing up Tila Mealoi to focus on playing.

Alex Samoa has also forced his way into the team for the first time this season.

The Manu are a lowly 13th after the first four rounds of the World Series and Sir Gordon Tietjens said the addition of some seasoned campaigners is a timely boost.

Tuilaepa says Tietjens is a blessing to the country’s beloved team.

“What is most important is that no one in the game of sevens has the same win record as this man, Sir Gordon. He has a vast experience in coaching and all his career wins. It means he’s the most experienced, and the best coach Samoa could ever have,” he said.

There have been mixed reactions from the public to Tietjens appointment.

Tuilaepa says former Samoa sevens head coach who led the 2010 team that won the world series, Stephen Betham will be Tietjens assistant coach.

ABC reports despite fielding offers from overseas after a break out season that saw him nominated for the Rookie of the Year award, he was poised to go round again under coach Damian McGrath, until the Englishman was unexpectedly dismissed.

Hunapo-Nofoa says news of the sacking caught him and his team-mates completely by surprise, because despite the bitter disappointment of missing out on Olympic qualification, they believed under McGrath the Samoan team was heading in the right direction.

RNZI reports the Manu won their second Plate title of the season last month in Singapore, where they achieved major victories against Fiji and New Zealand.

Head coach Damian McGrath said his team is starting to show more consistency.