The Italians impressed, winning through to the Cup semi finals, where they lost out to Argentina 22-12, while Samoa beat Argentine club side URBA 14-12 to reach the 'Oro' (Gold) final.

In the Cup final the Samoans dominated from the outset with a star cast of World Series regulars. Alafoti Fa'osiliva, Reupena Levasa and Alatasi Tupou each touched down for a 19-0 half-time lead to all but guarantee a successful title defence.

After the break Tupou scored again to put the Samoans 24-0 ahead and, although former national team captain Lucio López Fleming brought some respectability to the scoreline at 24-7, Tom Iosefo and Morgan Salesa each crossed to rubber-stamp the victory before a final try for the Pumas made it 34-14.

Samoa's attentions now turn to next month’s NZI Sevens at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington, where they will line up against Fiji, USA and Cook Islands in Pool D on day one on 6 February.

Runners up in Wellington in 2007, Samoa will be looking for their star-studded squad to show an improvement and better the Plate final success in Dubai and Plate semi final loss to England in George a week later with only two months to go until RWC Sevens 2009.

Source: IRB website

Pages: 1 · 2