Manu Samoa 7s have opened their accounts at the Capetown 7s with a 21-10 win over a valiant Uruguay side.
Tuna Tuitama, Uaina Sione and Vaafauese Apelu Maliko crossed over for Samoa’s three tries while Neueli Leitufia put in two conversions, with Paul Scanlan popping over one.
Uruguay are in their first season in the World Series after earning promotion earlier this year. In Dubai, Uruguay defeated Spain and powerhouse Great Britain on their way to the 9th/10th place final where they eventually fell to Fiji.
Pool B is headed by Ireland who were runners-up in Dubai. Uruguay and Japan make up Samoa’s pool.
Capetown is a three day tournament with only one match played on Day 1.
Samoa will play the remaining pool matches Saturday night Samoa time.
They have Japan at 8:29pm Saturday night and Ireland at 2:30am early Sunday morning.
The Irish debuted into the HSBC World Rugby 7’s series last season and have made great strides, being finalists in Dubai against South Africa.
Manu Samoa 7s would need to keep an eye out for high flying backs in Jordan Conroy and Terry Kennedy as the danger men for Ireland.
Japan have run into Samoa three times this year including last weekend in Dubai.
Their pool match in Capetown will be their 4th meeting this year. Samoa have defeated Japan in all three outings and the Manu is averaging a win margin of 21 points.
Captain fantastic Melani Matavao was unavailable for selection due to head injuries. Matavao has had five concussions in the past year and a half.
Paul Eti Slater and Paul Scanlan are covering the first five position.
Vaafauese Apelu Maliko has taken over the lead Co-captain role and continues to lead by example on the field. Apelu Maliko is the top try scorer of the Series to date with 13 tries.
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