Lakapi Samoa confirms sevens tournament

By Vaelei Von Dincklage 09 December 2020, 2:00PM

A rugby sevens tournament is on the cards following the conclusion of the 15s Lakapi Championship last week.

Lakapi Samoa’s High Performance General Manager, Seumanu Douglas Ngau Chun, told the Samoa Observer that the format of the rugby sevens tournament will be based on the one used during the rugby 15s championship.

"Our Lakapi Championship is over now. We are moving on to the sevens. The sevens will also be divided into four teams, the same name as the 15s, also the same coaches will be coaching again,” he said.

“For the women, they will have their three teams as well with their management too.”

This newspaper understands that the sevens train-on squad has started their training on Monday.

Seumanu further emphasised that the players have to be kept on “rugby mode”, consequently the need to run the upcoming sevens tournament.

"Yes, they have already started training. We are still keeping them in rugby mode, that's why we are having this sevens tournament to keep their rugby spirit high,” he said.

“We (Lakapi Samoa Board) will meet again tomorrow to discuss and we will also be announcing the teams so that on Thursday the management will take charge of his own team.”

And following the conclusion of the 15s Lakapi Championship last week, the management will be selecting 75 players for the men and 24 for the women’s team to train under the academy.

The academy will be divided into three groups, according to Seumanu, with 15 players selected for the elite group that would have the best players.

“They (the elite group) are the ones that only need a bit more work on some few areas,” he said.

Below that would be the emerging group, which would comprise players for the U23 or those who are in the Manuma which was originally known as Samoa A. 

And the developing group would be made up of the U20 or the Junior Manu Samoa. 

The full list of the 75 players is yet to be finalised by Lakapi Samoa, which hopes that the players will be prepared for any international tournaments when the borders reopen.

It is understood that the training regime and upcoming sevens tournament is also an attempt by Lakapi Samoa to ensure the players remained disciplined and fit. 

By Vaelei Von Dincklage 09 December 2020, 2:00PM

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