Hong Kong Sevens 2022: Surprise package Samoa storm into Cup quarter-finals
- A scare from Hong Kong but unbeaten islanders march on as they look for their first title since 2010
- ‘It’s all about momentum,’ says coach Brian Lima. ‘We’re still developing. We’ll take one game at a time’
There were suspicions on Friday that Samoa had taken a look at their Pool A draw – alongside reigning HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series champions Australia and Rugby World Cup Sevens runners-up New Zealand – and thought they had nothing to lose at this edition of the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens.
On Saturday that was confirmed as fact as Samoans rolled into the Cup quarter-finals unbeaten and playing a thrill-a-minute style of carefree rugby.
It had been enough to roll the Kiwis 24-0 on Friday, and it duly accounted for the Aussies 22-17 and then Hong Kong 31-15 on Saturday.
“It was really tough,” said Samoa coach Brian Lima. “There was a good start yesterday and the boy played really well today. We aimed to lead the group and we achieved that so I am happy. We thought if we can beat New Zealand we can beat Australia as well.”
It was the irrepressible co-skipper Vaa Apelu Maliko who overran the Australians, two late tries sealing the win against tiring opponents who could not deal with this pace.
Lima has 11 players here on their first trip to Hong Kong and the message going in was to soak up the occasion – and to play their natural game. Samoa have heeded those words, with tries from six of their seven starters in their three wins so far.
