Samoa 7s

Australia can secure passage to Tokyo 2020 at the Oceania Sevens by winning their section of the tournament, where Tonga and Samoa shape as their two biggest hurdles.

A strong Australian squad will play Vanuatu and Nauru on Thursday before games against American Samoa and Tonga on Friday and if they both top their pool, a likely Olympic play-off against Samoa on Saturday.

The already-qualified New Zealand and Fiji will also play in Suva, but not against Australia until the Olympic quota spot has been decided.

Coach Gordon Tietjen says it’s every team’s dream to play and win at the World Seven’s capital, the Hong Kong 7s.

Currently placed seventh in the World Series standings, Tietjen says they want to improve its performance to get automatic qualification for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

The Olympic champions relinquished their World Series title last weekend, with South Africa winning the Paris title to open up a massive 34 point lead over nearest rivals England, with one round remaining.

Fiji lost to Samoa in pool play before back to back defeats against Scotland and the United States.

Head coach Gareth Baber said they let themselves down.

"We felt we didn't play to the performance standards that we set previously. We wanted to make up for some of that but what was good about Paris was the introduction of four new faces as well,"he said.

Tuilaepa says Tietjens is a blessing to the country’s beloved team.

“What is most important is that no one in the game of sevens has the same win record as this man, Sir Gordon. He has a vast experience in coaching and all his career wins. It means he’s the most experienced, and the best coach Samoa could ever have,” he said.

There have been mixed reactions from the public to Tietjens appointment.

Tuilaepa says former Samoa sevens head coach who led the 2010 team that won the world series, Stephen Betham will be Tietjens assistant coach.