Dubai: Samoa will be looking to go one better at the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens next weekend, having missed out in the Cup final for the last two years.
They lost to England at last year's tournament and New Zealand the season before. Having finished fifth overall, the 2010/2011 season wasn't the greatest for the Samoan side who are one of just four sides to have taken the overall Series title - in 2009/2010.
The Samoans will be hoping the return of Uale Mai will make the difference for them this season, however they will find it tough going without the likes of Ofisa Treviranus and Alafoti Faosiliva who have been contracted to European clubs.
"I think we've had a good, solid build up to this year's circuit. We're pretty happy with the group of players we have this year and some of the new talent we'll be rolling out," said Salesa Seiuli, High Performance Administrator at the Samoan Rugby Union.
"Even though we've lost Treviranus and Faosiliva, we're pretty confident we have a squad that can go toe-to-toe with the top teams on the circuit," said Seiuli.
The Samoans will be greatly boosted by their recent victory over Fiji to claim the Oceania Sevens title and will certainly remain one of the teams to watch in Dubai, as they take on the second leg of the HSBC Sevens World Series.
"I think teams will be more battle hardened when they arrive in Dubai after competing on the Gold Coast the weekend before. I guess the most important thing with all teams is recovery and the possibility of injuries, not to mention jet lag, but it should be an exciting tournament," said Seiuli.
Tickets to see the Samoans and all the other top-class teams in action at the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens are still available through www.dubairugby7s.com.
