Hat-trick hunting Samoa, the hottest team on the IRB Sevens World Series, have their work cut out to win the Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens, coach Stephen Betham says.
Betham was an unhappy man last night after Samoa surprisingly conceded a brace of tries to both Russia (24-12) and Argentina (21-14) in their final pool matches.
And if the team with the best defence win the Cup tonight - which is the mantra of New Zealand mastermind Gordon Tietjens - then Samoa will have to lift their game to add Hong Kong's silverware to their titles in Las Vegas and Adelaide.
'We are not playing well enough to win,' Betham admitted last night. 'A win is a win and I will take it, but we can only lift the Cup if we are switched on when we come back tomorrow. We have the ability and the fitness, but it will all boil down to our mindset on the day.'
Samoa, who are two points adrift of IRB Sevens Series leaders New Zealand, are seeking an unprecedented third title in a row, as well as chasing the US$100,000 purse for the Cup winners.
They will need leading try-scorer Mikaele Pesamino, who took his season tally to 42 with a brace against Russia, as well as powerful ball winners Ofisa Treviranus, Simaika Mikaele and Alafoti Fa'osiliva to be on top of their game.
