Samoa and Tonga’s sevens teams are strong contenders for qualification at the 2024 Oceania Rugby Sevens in Honiara this weekend.
With Fiji excluded from the Challenger Series qualification and Papua New Guinea suspended, the top two men’s teams and the top women’s team (excluding Fiji) will secure spots in the Challenger Series.
Both Samoa and Tonga are fielding men’s and women’s teams, led by newly appointed coaches. Tonga has ‘Atieli Pakalani coaching the men’s team, while Lino Filisione leads the women’s.
Samoa appointed Matamua Upati Junior Salima and Filoi Eneliko as head coaches for the men’s and women’s teams, respectively.

Tonga’s Pakalani retained most of his squad from 2023-2024. Samoa’s men’s team features four new players, while the women’s team introduces two fresh faces.
“This partnership with FedPac Group is a tremendous boost,” said Lakapi Samoa’s high-performance GM, Seamanu Douglas Ngau Chun, acknowledging vital sponsorship for their teams.
Both nations have been refining strategies ahead of what promises to be an intense competition.