Nine make Manu Samoa debut for World Sevens Series 2022

Staff Reporters

APIA, SAMOA – 02 APRIL 2022: Nine players have made their debut selection in the Manu Samoa Sevens 13 man squad for the up-coming HSBC World Sevens Series 2022 legs in Singapore and Vancouver.

Except for one overseas based player, the rest of the squad are from local clubs with 3 from Tepatasi, 3 from Tamauli, and one player each from Marist St. Josephs, Vailele, Siumu, Moataa and Vaiala Clubs.

The squad includes the experienced Melani Matavao, the Manu Samoa 15s half back with Vaafauese Apelu Maliko and new player Vaovasa Afa Sua as Co Captains.

The squad as announced by Head Coach Muliagatatele Brian Lima.

1. MELANI MATAVAO (CC) – Marist St. Josephs – Fasitoo Uta, Laulii & Saaga Siumu

2. VAAFAUESE APELU MALIKO (CC) – Tepatasi – Lotopu’ē & Lufilufi

3. VAOVASA AFA SUA *(CC) – Tamauli Salelologa – Salelavalu, Salelologa & Palauli

4. FAAFOI FALANIKO * – Tepatasi – Lotopu’ē, Salelesi & Samusu

5. IAFETA PURCELL * – Tepatasi – Malaela & Letogo

6. INDIAH SAOTUI – HUTA * – Clifton Taranaki, New Zealand, Sa’asa’ai

7. MIRACLE FAIILAGI * – Vailele – Vailele, Uafato & Asau

8. MOTU OPETAI * – Siumu – Siumu, Leauvaa & Vaimoso

9. OWEN NIUE * – Tamauli Salelologa – Samoa Taga, Gataivai, Siufaga & Sapapalii

10. PAUL SCANLAN – Moataa – Moataa & Satuimalufilufi

11. PELOSI TAUPO * – Marist St. Josephs – Samoa Tufulele & Afega

12. STEVE ONOSAI * – Vaiala – Vaiala & Falelima

13. UAINA SIONE – Tamauli Salelologa – Palauli, Sapapalii, Salelologa & Saleimoa

MANAGEMENT
14. MULIAGATELE BRIAN LIMA – Head Coach – Letogo, Afega & Avao.
15. TAUSA FAAMAONI LALOMILO – Assistant Coach – Safotu, Falefa, Leusoalii.
16. TUALA LEAEGA PAT LEOTA – Team Manager – Leauvaa, Lotofaga, Faleula, Gautavai.
17, JUNIOR NARAYAN – Analyst – Poutasi, Falealili.
18. JON GARCIA Physiotherapist – Bilbao, Spain.

Notes:
* Denotes World Series Debut
CC – Co Captain