Samoa 7s make best start in five years

Cape Town: Samoa have made their best start to the World Sevens Series in five years as they finished fourth on an emotional weekend in Dubai.

The Manu Sevens were pipped 19-17 by England in the playoff for third place after being outclassed 38-7 by eventual winners South Africa in the Cup semi-finals.

Samoa had earlier beaten Australia 19-14 in the quarter finals after finishing second in their group behind tournament runners-up New Zealand.

Captain Tomasi Alosio was named in the tournament Dream Team as the Samoans recorded their best result in Dubai since winning the season-opening event in 2012.

It was also their best result in the opening round of a World Series campaign since finishing as runners-up on the Gold Coast five years ago.

It capped an emotional week in which the team dedicated their performances to the victims of the measles epidemic, which has affected so many back at home.

Samoa and New Zealand were also awarded the ‘Mark of Excellence’ award after walking out together and sharing a prayer for the affected families before their pool match on Friday.

“It meant a lot to our country and we’d just like to acknowledge the kind gesture from our All Blacks Sevens brothers for just showing their heartfelt moment for us and our small nation of Samoa,” Tomasi Alosio said.

“It meant a lot for us here in Dubai and especially our small proud nation back in Samoa.” New Zealand captain Scott Curry said the gesture was a “no-brainer”.

“Like Masi said, we’re brothers,” he explained. “We’re a Pacific Island as well, we’re really close. [There are] a lot of Samoan boys in our team as well so close to home for them and it’s the least we could do for our Samoan brothers.”