Apelu Maliko to lead Manu Samoa 7’s Olympics campaign

Apia, Samoa – 09 July 2024 – Manu Samoa 7s Head Coach, Muliagatele Fata Brian Lima, has officially announced the squad to represent Samoa in the upcoming Paris Olympic Games 2024 at Stade de France, St Denis, France on 25th to 28th July 2024.

Samoa is in Pool B, alongside Australia, Argentina and Kenya. Samoa will kick off their campaign on Thursday 25th July at 2:30am against Australia (Samoan local time).

The lineup sees the selection of Lalomilo Lalomilo and the return of Alamanda Motuga set to bolster a squad that has been riddled with injuries and in dire need of an x-factor component to propel the team forward. Additionally, the team welcomes back Vaovasa Afa Su’a, Paul Scanlan, BJ Telefoni Lima and Tom Maiava who have recovered from injuries sustained recently.

Manu Samoa 7s squad
1. VAAFAUESE APELU MALIKO (C), Tepatasi, Lufilufi & Lotopue
2. MOTU OPETAI – Siumu Club, Siumu & Leauvaa
3. TAUNUU NIULEVAEA – Safotu, Fasitoo Tai & Vailuutai
4. ALAMANDA MOTUGA – Sataoa, Sataoa & Sa’anapu
5. BJ TELEFONI LIMA – Marist St Joseph’s – Letogo & Sapunaoa Falealili
6. VAOVASA AFA SU’A – Tama Uli Salelologa, Salelavalu & Salelologa
7. NEUELI LEITUFIA – Laulii Lions, Laulii & Sapapalii
8. PAUL SCANLAN – Moataa – Moataa & Lano
9. TOM MAIAVA – Marist St Joseph’s, Salailua & Sinamoga
10. PAUL ETI ALESANA-SLATER – Laulii Lions, Lalomalava & Laulii
11. LALOMILO LALOMILO – Marist St Joseph’s, Falefa & Safotu
12. STEVE ONOSAI – Vaiala Ulalei, Falelima & Vaiala
13. FAAFOI FALANIKO – Tepatasi, Lotopue & Salelesi
14. MALAKESI MASEFAU – Tepatasi, Malaela & Lotopue

Management
1. MULIAGATELE FATA BRIAN LIMA – Head Coach
2. TAUSA FAAMOE FAAMAONI LALOMILO – Assistant Coach
3. TUALA LEAEGA PAT LEOTA – Team Manager
4. JUNIOR NARAYAN – Performance Analyst
5. NATHEN FOULAGI – Physiotherapist