The stage is set for the 2021 Marist 33rd International Sevens this weekend with the captains gathering at Mulinu'u for a photo shoot.

The team captains gathered in front of the Parliament House last Friday for a photoshoot though not all the teams were represented. 

But that didn’t stop the program from going ahead with only the women’s Tepatasi team captain missing and three men’s teams weren’t represented in the photo shoot.

There will be 16 teams in the men’s division and eight teams in the women’s division.

The different pools that the teams have been put into were published last Friday, a week before the kickoff of the international rugby festival.

The men’s teams comprise Vaiala, Satalo, Moataa, Ulutogia, Apia, Laulii, SCOPA, Nofoalii, Tepatasi, Tamauli, Moamoa, Safotu, Lupesiliva, Faleolo Jets, Malie Sharks and Marist St Joseph. The women’s teams are Apia, Puataunofo, No Idea, Aiga Tau Jaws, Tepatasi and Marist Angels.

The Samoa Observer met with the Satalo team during the Safata Rugby Union Sevens Series last Saturday with their management confirming their preparations are yet to reach the level that they are targeting.

This year’s International sevens tournament will feature players who have been selected previously in the national teams, they include the Faleolo Jets captain Melani Matavao.

The tournament is scheduled to be held 26–27 February this weekend with the first day of the tournament featuring pool games for both the men and women pools followed by the playoff and finals on the second day.