Speed Thrills of Rugby Pacific Islanders

2009/2010 IRB Sevens World Series Player of the Year, Mikaele Pesamino is likely to lead a very powerful Samoan team to next month's Uprising International Sevens in Suva.

Uprising tournament organiser Randall Kamea said he had spoken to Samoan team officials and they had confirmed they would send their main team to the two-day tournament. "I have talked to the Samoa team coach and he has confirmed that all his top players will be coming and that includes the likes of Pesamino and others who have been playing for Samoa in the IRB series," Kamea said.
Kamea said Samoa's participation was going to make competition more interesting, especially with the Digicel Fiji team also in it.
"We will have the Iliesa Tanivula-coached side in the tournament, so fans surely can expect to see some top sevens action," Kamea said.
"I believe Tonga will also be sending a very powerful side." Kamea said they had confirmed 11 teams and the other five would be finalised within the next 24 hours. "At the moment we have Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, New Zealand Maori, Samurai International, US Grizzlies, Les Bleu, Ponsonby and New Caledonia confirmed to participate," he said.
"We have also named the two local teams that will participate and that is the Uprising team as they are the hosts and Nadroga.
Kamea said the tournament would help Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and France to test themselves before they move to the Wellington Sevens. The Uprising International Sevens Tournament will be held at the tfl National Stadium on January 21-22, 2011.