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Manu Samoa upsets defending champs NZ to win Cape Town 7s

Barry with the Manu and trophy

Cape Town, SOUTH AFRICA —  After three days of HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series action in Cape Town, South Africa, the Manu Samoa put on a brilliant performance to defeat New Zealand 12-7 in a closely fought Cup final to claim their first Series title since Paris in 2016.

World Rugby is reporting HSBC Player of the Final Vaa Apelu Maliko said:  “We’d like to thank our family, friends and all the supporters back home for helping us get through this event, this win is for them.”

Vaa Apelu Maliko played the entire Cape Town 7s with unmatched intensity, even when scoring this historic flying Try.  In severe pouring rain, Manu Samoa defeated the New Zealand All Black 7s 12-7 for the HSBC Cape Town 7s Cup Final Championship at the Cape Town Stadium, Republic of South Africa. [photo: Barry Markowitz, courtesy of VCX Technologies]

Samoa and South Africa each with 47 points now lead the standings after three events heading into 2023, USA and New Zealand are next with 44 points.

The final played out on a wet Cape Town Stadium field after a heavy rain just before kickoff.

Faafoi Falaniko was also the hero for Samoa in the semifinals when he kicked an extra-time penalty to down host and series leader South Africa 10-7.

Manu Samoa's Faafoi Flaniko shares his pure joy with the Cup Championship Trophy in hand.  In severely pouring rain, Manu Samoa defeated the New Zealand All Black 7s 12-7 for the HSBC Cape Town 7s Cup Final Championship at the Cape Town Stadium, Republic of South Africa. [photo: Barry Markowitz, courtesy of VCX Technologies]

Samoa pulled off an upset to beat defending champion New Zealand 12-7 with a late try to win the Cape Town Sevens title for the first time on Sunday.

Samoa led the final 5-0 through an early score by Faafoi Falaniko but Brady Rush’s reply in the second half and a conversion by Tepaea Savage put New Zealand ahead 7-5.

It stayed that way until Vaa Apelu Maliko touched down with a minute to go. Falaniko’s last-minute conversion capped victory for the Manu Samoa.

After the official Championship Cup presentation, Manu Samoa performed its traditional Siva Tau.  In severely pouring rain, Manu Samoa defeated the New Zealand All Black 7s 12-7 for the HSBC Cape Town 7s Cup Final Championship at the Cape Town Stadium, Republic of South Africa. [photo: Barry Markowitz, courtesy of VCX Technologies]

Manu Samoa showed respect for its small group of Samoans in attendance by crossing the turf to perform a Siva Tau just for them.  In severely pouring rain, Manu Samoa defeated the New Zealand All Black 7s 12-7 for the HSBC Cape Town 7s Cup Final Championship at the Cape Town Stadium, Republic of South Africa. [photo: Barry Markowitz, courtesy of VCX Technologies]

The Cape Town Sevens tournament was returning for the first time since 2019. It was canceled in 2020 and ’21 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Senior Samoa News photojournalist, Barry Markowitz, after he was invited to be photographed with the Cup Championship Trophy, a few team members and staff, "I was surprised and humbled by this honor for the Samoa News.”

“We all knew this team has overcome incredible obstacles to be restored as a respected competitor on the international circuit... and now champions. 

“Manu Samoa 7s are a true brotherhood... and I hope our published images convey that to our readership.  Manu Samoa is an inspiration to us all to achieve and represent our islands in a positive manner.  Samoa News, through many different photographers has highlighted our Manu Samoa for decades." 

Comraderie was the theme of Manu Samoa throughout their Cape Town campaign, as evident when Motu Opetai embraced Vaa Apelu Maliko after his second half crucial Try.  In severely pouring rain, Manu Samoa defeated the New Zealand All Black 7s 12-7 for the HSBC Cape Town 7s Cup Final Championship at the Cape Town Stadium, Republic of South Africa. [photo: Barry Markowitz, courtesy of VCX Technologies]