The first-ever World Rugby 7s grand final will be played in Madrid in two weeks’ time, with eight teams in contention including Fiji.
However, Samoa will be absent from the elite group, having finished second last at the end of the league season.
Under the competition’s new format, that means they along with Spain, the United States and Canada have a fight on their hands to stay in the top 12 for next season.
That quartet will now go into a relegation and promotion battle with the top four nations from the Challenger series, which could yet include Tonga.
So what would it mean for rugby in Samoa if their team fails to hold on to its place among the world’s best?
This time last year, Elijah Niko was a member of the Manu 7s team that won the bronze medal at the final event of the World 7s series in London.
Since then he has concentrated on playing XVs in France, but he has also become a staunch advocate for the Samoa 7s players, campaigning for better pay and conditions.
He says relegation from the core group would be a disaster for Lakapi Samoa and the country.
