The Manu Samoa 7s team will make history when they run out into the iconic Stade de France in Paris this evening.
The team will make their Olympics debut marking the first time a Rugby 7s side from Samoa has qualified.
Samoa’s match against Australia will also be the first official event of the Paris Olympic Games, with the Mens Rugby 7s heats taking place ahead of the 2024 Olympics Opening Ceremony.
Manu Samoa Sevens squad prepare to make their Olympics debut in the first event of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France. Their home base the last 2 weeks has been at the Oceania Pre-Games training camp in Divonne-Les-Bains, Switzerland.(Supplied: Oceania National Olympics Committee )Divonne-Les-Bains
The squad joined the Oceania pre-games training camp in Divonne Les Bains, Switzerland two weeks ago in final preparation for the Olympic 7s tournament where they’ve been warmly welcomed by locals.
The Swiss Pasifika Association along with Samoa’s Ambassador and United Nations representative in Geneva, Ms Nella Pepe Levy paid the camp a visit over the weekend and encouraged the squad ahead of the games.
Outside their regular training, the team took part in the Community Welcome Event, performing a Siva Tau at the United Nations in Geneva and attended mass at the Elise Sait Etienne Catholic Church where they delighted the congregation singing a hymn in Samoan.
Manu Samoa 7s players meet members of the congregation at the Elise Saint Etienne Catholic Church in Divonne-Les-Bains in Switzerland ahead of their Olympic debut in Paris.(Supplied: Oceania National Olympic Committee )Paris
This week the team have moved to the Oceania Maison at the Games village which will be home to the Oceania Athletes.
Samoa and defending Olympics champions Fiji are the only Pacific Island nations who have qualified for the 2024 tournament and are competing in different pools.
Samoa will compete in Pool B with Australia, Argentina and Kenya. The top two teams from each pool plus the top two 3rd placed teams will advance through to the Quarter Finals.
Manu Samoa 7s will be led by their captain Va’afauese Apelu Maliko who was named the top try scorer in the 2023 World 7 series. Vaovasa Afa-Sua will back him up as Co-Captain after returning from injury.
The side has named one debutant, Lalomilo Lalomilo who is currently contracted to Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby.
BJ Telefoni Mika (left) with Manu Samoa 7s captain Vaafauese Apelu Maliko at the Community welcome event in Divonne-Les-Bains in Switzerland(Supplied: Oceania National Olympic Committee )Support
Prior to leaving Samoa, the 7s Olympics team were hosted by Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa.
“Be led by God, and rely on our mighty Gods power for his protection.”
“Trust in his guidance to give you strength and wisdom as you face this challenge while you perform for the sake of our powerful supporters in Samoa as they pray and cheer for a Gold medal” the Prime Minister said as part of her blessing to the team
Media in Samoa have reported the Samoan government have pledged $100,000 tala for any athlete who wins Gold at the games.
Manu Samoa Sevens take on Australia this evening at 11.30pm AEST / 2.30am in Samoa. The Rugby Sevens matches preliminary matches and Quarter Finals games take place before the Olympic Games opening ceremony.(Supplied: Oceania National Olympics Committee)
While Samoa’s Olympics debut will take place at 2.30am Samoa time, there will be no shortage of supporters staying up late to cheer their team on.
Emma Magele who resides in Tuanaimato says they can’t wait for the game.
“Sauni fiafia le matou aiga e tapuaia le ta’aloga ale Manu Samoa” (My familys looking forward to cheer the Manu Samoa 7s game) she said
“Ua potopoto uma mai e tugu le tipoti koko Samoa e faatali ai le ta’aloga Samoa i nanei. Alo i ou faiva manaia Samoa” (Everybodys gathering to boil the Koko Samoa and wait for the game here in Samoa. Go hard Samoa!”)
Source link : https://www.abc.net.au/pacific/manu-samoa-7s-paris-olympics-debut/104135110
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Publish date : 2024-07-24 02:30:46
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