Manu Samoa 15s captain Semo Sititi is being lined up to play at next weekend's Credit Suisse First Boston Hong Kong Sevens in an attempt to boost the perennial also-rans who are seeking to win their first major sevens title since winning the Hong Kong tournament back in 1993. The Samoan No 8 has not been released by his club Cardiff. But coach Romeo Ah Chong has not given up hope and is optimistic that Sititi will be able to join the squad after this weekend's Beijing Sevens. According to reports from Samoa, Ah Chong feels that Sititi's game-breaking qualities will help Samoa clear the final hurdle that has seen them stumble twice in the finals at this year's IRB World Sevens Series tournaments. 'I hope he can re-negotiate with his bosses in Cardiff so that he is released for Hong Kong. If we get Sititi, I'm confident that Samoa can break the duck in Hong Kong,' Ah Chong said. Samoa will return with their confidence high after promising performances in this year's World Sevens Series tournaments in Durban and Wellington where they finished runners-up to New Zealand and South Africa respectively. Samoa, who are grouped with the SAR squad at both the Beijing and Hong Kong Sevens, are counting on the fact that their squad have mostly been together for all five previous legs in the IRB series. While most of the other leading contenders have chopped and changed their squads for Beijing and Hong Kong, Samoa have kept the core of their team together - although they will be missing playmaker Faatonu Fili, who is a player in the mould of Fijian legend Waisale Serevi. The blonde-headed Fili will be remembered for missing the conversion in last year's semi-final against Fiji which the latter won 12-10. Fili's absence has been offset by the return of powerhouse forward Faapito Matagitau, who was absent for the South American leg of the IRB series. But having recovered from a shoulder injury, he rejoined the team for the Brisbane and Wellington Sevens and his presence translated into Samoa entering the semi-final in Brisbane and the final in Wellington. 'We really missed his absence in South America. He is a very valuable player and other teams know all about him. In Chile and Argentina, the opposition knew he wasn't playing so they just ran it up the middle all the time,' Ah Chong said. Samoa has also been hit by the unexpected resignation of manager Richard Tapeni, who stepped down last week citing the tiring schedule. Samoa will hope that the inspirational Tapeni's absence in Hong Kong will not keep the players from repeating their famous 1993 Cup victory when they beat Fiji 14-12 in the final. The Samoan squad will be captained by Leamy Toleafoa with his deputy being Matagitau. Both played in last year's Hong Kong Sevens, as did the majority of the squad including Ponali Tapelu, Alapasa Cordtz and Uale Mai. Samoa are also pooled with the USA and Russia at the Hong Kong Sevens. The Hong Kong Rugby Football Union will provide the majority of the support staff at the Beijing Sevens. Three referees, a reserve and 10 touch judges from the SAR will officiate at the China leg of the IRB series. The judicial officer is also former HKRFU chairman Peter Duncan. Meanwhile, Hong Kong, led by Football Club fullback Chris Gordon, will line up against Samoa, England and Canada in the preliminary round of the Beijing Sevens today.
