The 14 man roster features an interesting mix of new players as well as familiar fixtures from the previous legs.

Tila Mealoi is still the man leading the charge flanked by fellow Apia Maroon Silao Talimao Lefono.  

Some familiar faces who will continue their journey in the blue jersey: Samoa Toloa, Siaosi Asofolau, and  Lafaele Va’a.

And new to the line-up is Manu Samoa’s Malu Falaniko, Marists’ Joe Perez, Neria Fomai, Solia Tofatu.  

Wellington will be the first official leg under the direction of Sir Gordon Tietjens which is met with great anticipation and high expectations.  

Head Coach told the New Zealand Herald, “With Wellington, it’s a really tough pool.  We’re fourth seeds, and it would exceed expectations to make the cup quarters.”

Samoa is pooled with New Zealand (local time: 2:41PM), France (5.42PM) , and the United States (9.36PM).

As fate would have it, Samoa will kick off their campaign in Wellington against Tietjen’s former side of 22 years, New Zealand.  

 “I suppose 22 years of expectations been lifted off my shoulders.  I am looking to move Samoa up the ladder and get them to be a real force back in sevens rugby,” Tietjens told the Bay of Plenty Times.

Read more at Samoa Observer