Head coach Damien McGrath says the management and coaching staff for the Manu sevens team has been quite impressed with the squad currently training for the Wellington sevens at the end of the month.
"We have a few overseas players fly in, including Tom Iosefo who has arrived back from New Zealand with hopes to join the team," McGrath said in an exclusive interview with Loop Samoa.
It was unfortunate the start to Samoas first two seri s, especially with the loss of two impact players including Francis Ieremia.
When asked what Samoa's preparations are and what is the main focus for the team, McGrath said the team are working on the same issues that has been haunting them for the last two legs.
"Our inconsistencies and mistakes, we tend to give away the ball too much and its part of the reason we suffer the consequences," he says.
"Currently we are at our preseason phase, preparing players mentally and in fitness, especially with our late start to the season we have to earn a good spot soon.
"We’re looking at mid-June, the focus is to land Samoa a spot at the Olympic Games, so are working to secure that position, even if it means sacrificing the world series," he added.
To coach McGrath, Samoa faces teams in the uprising, and competition is unlike before. Powerhouses France, England, and the United States are all teams Samoa must pass through to earn a spot at the top.
However, McGrath says, Samoa is still very far from other countries.
"We don’t invest as much as other countries do in their rugby teams," he stated.
With SRU on a strict budget it’s obvious why so. However, McGrath says Samoa has a really solid squad. As a matter of fact, he says if the team had enough time to prepare for the first qualifier that was held in New Zealand, they would have done much better.
So for now, the management and team are aiming for a spot at the Olympics, and the coach himself hopes the country sees their team as a committed bunch to their goal.
When asked if any international players may be returning, McGrath says he hopes to include prominent names in the squad sometime soon, hinting a probable return for Paul Perez and Tim Nanai-Williams, but as they are currently tied in with contracts of their own, it is only of high hopes for the team management for now.