Next week’s World Rugby SVNS 3 tournament in Dubai is a make-or-break moment for the future of Samoa’s sevens program, with both the Manu Samoa Sevens and Manusina Sevens chasing qualification to the next tier of the Challenger Series.

Lakapi Samoa Chief Executive Officer Seumanu Douglas Ngau Chun said the teams will depart this Saturday, each with a squad of 12 players and three management staff. After transiting through Auckland, they will arrive in Dubai on Sunday and have a full week to prepare before the tournament on January 17–18. 

“This tournament determines the future of our sevens program,” Seumanu said. “If we don’t qualify here, that’s it for this year. We’ll have to wait another year to try again, so the mission is very clear.”

SVNS 3 features an eight-team competition divided into two pools, with the top two teams advancing to the next stage of the Challenger Series - SVNS 2. Seumanu said qualification is essential to remain in contention for promotion to SVNS 2 and, ultimately, the World Rugby Sevens Championship.

Seumanu told the Samoa Observer that all players will be financially supported throughout the tournament and will receive allowances, but declined to comment on the amount.

The Manusina Sevens have been drawn in Pool B alongside Argentina, Colombia and Poland. Seumanu described it as a challenging group but said the women’s team is better prepared than in previous campaigns.

“It’s a very young team, but they’ve trained hard and sacrificed a lot,” he said, adding that the women’s team has had to train at the men’s fitness level to compensate for a lack of international games.

The Manu Samoa Sevens are drawn in Pool A and will face Tonga, Hong Kong and Colombia.

“Our minimum benchmark is to reach the semifinals,” Seumanu said. “Once you’re in the final, you’re through — but the aim is to win the tournament.”

“We want to start the year strong,” he said. “Dubai is where it all begins for us.”

Both teams trained through the Christmas period, with only Christmas Day and Boxing Day off, despite injuries ruling out several key players. Seumanu said the extended preparation has given the squads confidence in executing their game plans.

The Manu Samoa Sevens were relegated from the World Sevens Series in 2024 and then failed in the Challenger Series in Los Angeles in May 2025, which resulted in their demotion to SVNS3. 

The coach for the Manu Samoa Sevens is Matamua Junior Salima, and Filoi Eneliko for the Manusina Sevens.

Manu Samoa Sevens Squad:

Motu Opetai

Taualai Panoa

Enosa Afemai Misitea

Faamanu Apolone Pone

Eletise Ese

Ravuama Tokalausere Seruvakula

Uaina Sione 

Malakesi Puna Masefau

Kyan Joseph Brett Alo

Owen Niue

Warren Warren Solomona

Tusitafu Tapaga Toilolo

Manusina Squad:

Fogamanono Tusiga

Janelle Fereti

Linda Fiafia

Faalua Tugaga

Araisa Isamaeli

Siluando Lafai

Saelua Leaula

Taytana Pati Ah Cheung

Leutu Iefata

Lutia Col Aumua

Faaaloalo Luafitu

Melina Salale