Two new caps in Manu Samoa 7’s squad for Vancouver and LA

Apia, SAMOA – 19 February 2024: Manu Samoa 7s Head Coach, Muliagatele Fata Brian Lima, has named two promising youngsters to potentially make their debut at the Vancouver 7’s & Los Angeles 7’s Leg of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2023-2024 starting this weekend.

The players are Des Sepulona (Tama Uli Salelologa) and Dan Patelesio (Marist St Joseph’s).

The squad will be led by Captain Vaovasa Afa Su’a and welcomes back Steve Onosai (Vaiala Ulalei) who has fully recovered from injury sustained last year and Paul Eti Alesana-Slater also returns to the squad.

Stalwart Melani Matavao is unavailable due to commitments to Moana Pasifika, while Paul Scanlan and Levi Milford are ruled out due to injuries sustained in Perth.

The squad will represent Samoa in the upcoming Vancouver 7’s at BC Place Stadium, Vancouver, Canada this weekend 23rd to 25th February 2024; and at the Los Angeles 7’s Leg of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2023-2024 at the Dignity Health Sports Park. Los Angeles, USA on 1st to 3rd March 2024.

In Canada, Samoa is in Pool B, alongside Australia, USA and France. Manu Samoa 7s will kick off their campaign on Saturday 24th at 11:38am against Australia (Samoan local time).

Manu Samoa 7s squad:
1. VAOVASA AFA SU’A (C) – Tama Uli Salelologa, Salelavalu & Salelologa
2. FAAMAONI JR LALOMILO – Marist St. Joseph’s Falefa & Safotu
3. BJ TELEFONI LIMA – Marist St. Joseph’s, Letogo & Sapunaoa
4. MOTU OPETAI – Siumu & Leauvaa
5. UAINA TUI SIONE – Tama Uli Salelologa, Faala Palauli & Saleimoa
6 TAUNUU NIULEVAEA – Safotu, Fasitoo Tai & Vailuutai
7. DES SEPULONA FAOA * – Tama Uli Salelologa, Tuanai & Faleula
8. NEUELI LEITUFIA Laulii Lions Laulii & Sapapalii
9. TOM MAIAVA – Marist St Joseph’s, Salailua & Sinamoga
10. STEVE ONOSAI ** Vaiala Ulalei, Falelima & Vaiala
11. ELISAPETA ALOFIPO – Tama Uli Salelologa, Saleaula & Salelologa
12. FAAFOI FALANIKO Tepatasi Lotopue & Salelesi
13. PAUL ETI ALESANA-SLATER – Laulii Lions, Lalomalava & Laulii
14. DAN PATELESIO * Marist St Joseph’s Tufulele & Fusi Saluafata

Management
1. MULIAGATELE FATA BRIAN LIMA – Head Coach, Letogo, Afega & Avao
2. TAUSA FAAMOE FAAMAONI LALOMILO – Assistant Coach Safotu, Falefa, Leusoalii & Sinamoga
3. TUALA LEAEGA PAT LEOTA – Team Manager Leauvaa, Lotofaga, Faleula, Gautavai & Sili
4. JUNIOR NARAYAN – Analyst Poutasi Falealili, Vaivase & Sinamoga
5. NATHEN FOULAGI – Physiotherapist, Fasitoo Tai

Note:
* Denotes New Cap
** Denotes Returning player from injury