Manu Samoa 7’s and Manusina 7’s have named their teams for the upcoming HSBC Svns 3 to be held in Dubai next weekend.
Headlining the men’s team are veterans Motu Opetai, Uaina Sione and Owen Niue.
The trio have played a number of tournaments together since 2022 and will look to lead a from the front in Dubai. Sione and Niue have been named Co-captains.
Head coach Matamua Junior Salima has named three debutants in Faamanu Pone, Eletise Ese and Kyan Alo. Alo is from the Marist Rugby Club while Pone and Ese are from the Teopatasi Rugby Club.
Eletise Ese is an exciting young talent who has been playing in the men’s 7’s competitions in Samoa since he was in Year 11. Although young in age, he carries a lot of experience with him.
Pairing Ese in the playmaker role is Ravuama Seruvakula of Samoan and Fijian decent. “Ravu” as he is known, has been in the 7’s system for three years now and is looking to make his stamp on the world stage.
Adding to the exciting talent is Malakesi Masefau. He has already shown the world his talent on the World Series and now hopes to push Samoa back into the first division.
Manusina will be led by the experienced Saelua Leaula and Fogamanono Tusiga.
Head Coach Filoi Eneliko has named four debutants in Janelle Fereti of Striders Rugby Club, Faalua Tugaga from Marist St. Pats (Wellington), Taytana Ah Cheung of Chifley Chief Rugby Club and Melina Salale of Hautapu Rugby Club (Hamilton).
Tugaga, Ah Cheung and Salale are 7’s debutants but are all Manusina 15’s players and represented Samoa at the 2025 Women’s RWC. They will have no issue settling in to the HSBC SVNS level.
SVNS 3 is the third division of the HSBC SVNS circuit. There are eight teams in division 1, six teams in division 2 and eight in division three.
Manu Samoa and Manusina are currently in SVNS 3. in order to be promoted to SVNS 2, they must finish in the top two next weekend in Dubai.
Success in Dubai means Samoa will compete in SVNS 2 which is three tournaments across February and March.
The top four from the conclusion of SVNS 2 will join the core eight teams in division 1 for three tournaments in Hong Kong, Valladolid and Bordeaux. These three tournaments are titled “HSBC SVNS World Championship”.
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