Sevens star Alafoti Faosiliva has been included in the Samoan training squad for the upcoming Pacific Nations Cup, as well as their once off game against Scotland. In the London Sevens final the big man made a huge tackle, and later scored a powerful try.
If you've watched any of the IRB Sevens World Series in the last year or so the name, and thighs, of Faosiliva should be quite familiar to you. He's been one of Samoa's top try scorers on the circuit, and is the proverbial human wrecking ball.
Built like a tank and with the speed of a back, you don't want to get in his way.
Unfortunately for some of the Fijians in London, they did, and they were smashed. Fiji won the final but two moments stood out from Faosiliva, namely a huge tackle in the second half, and later the try which gave Nigel Starmer Smith a new catchphrase in 'Boom. Crash. Try'.
Faosiliva has been selected in the Samoan fifteens squad as a loose forward, so will be one to watch in the Pacific Nations Cup, which kicks off on 5 June when Samoa play Tonga.
There were a few controversial non-selections in the squad, with Rugby World Cup 2011 captain, and Chiefs hooker, Mahonri Schwalger being overlooked, as well as outspoken midfielder, Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu. Schwalger openly criticised the behaviour of the Samoan management at the World Cup, and Fuimaono-Sapolu is viewed as unmanagable by new coach Stephen Betham.
Also worth watching, Seven of the Best tries from the London Sevens
Manu Samoa training squad:
James Sooialo, Lolo Lui Moataa, David Lemi, Ken Pisi, Paul Perez, Paul Williams, Fautua Otto, Isaia Tuifua, Faatoina Autagavaia, George Pisi, Male Sau, Ki Anufe, Tusi Pisi, Patrick Faapale, Kahn Fotualii, Jeremy Su'a, Nalu Tuigamala, Ofisa Treviranus, Chris Lowrey, Richard Muagututia, Maurie Faasavalu, Afa Aiono, Taiasina Tuifua, Alafoti Faosiliva, Kane Thompson , Maselino Paulino, Joe Tekori, Census Johnston, Logovii Mulipola, Sakaria Taulafo, James Johnston, Tuu Paulo, Ole Avei, Steve Fuala, Patrick Leafa.