Samoa's Rugby Sevens side became their country's first World champion winners in any team sport at the weekend by taking home the IRB Sevens World Series trophy after four Cup titles throughout a best-ever season.
The proud islanders also extended their final points tally for the season to 164, 15 clear of New
"We did it for our nation back home and all credit to the boys; they stuck it out from the start. It was a difficult task that they overcame and I think they did it for the people back home," said coach, Stephen Betham.
"It is the first World Series we have ever won in anything to do with rugby and it is just going to lift the nation. I think the people should be proud of these players and I hope it can carry on."
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The team's top scorer, Mikaele Pesamino, also finished as the season's leading marksman with 56 tries, which helped him earn the individual accolade of IRB Sevens Player of the Year, the first of the IRB Awards to be given out in 2010, in association with Emirates Airline.
"I wanted to be the top try scorer this year and I wanted to be the Player of the Year and I feel great, I feel happy, not only for me but also for my team mates, my family all the way from Samoa," said the flyer shortly after picking up the award.
"They pray for us, they cheer for us, and also our fans, our younger players, this is our best gift for them for our Independence Day next week."
"Our Prime Minister said that we would have a national holiday if we won the Series, and we'll celebrate, this is our best gift to our people."
"There are two different schools of thought for inside centre - one is that you should have a big, ball-carrying 12 and the other is the Australian approach of using a ball-player.
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England has also given a start to Northampton number eight Phil Dowson, who was a late addition to the squad in place of the injured Hendre Fourie.
"They are both good guys and were unlucky to miss out originally. They are bright enough to know they get a good chance tomorrow," said Johnson.
Mathew Tait, the versatile Sale Sharks back, will start at outside centre after Waldouck failed to recover from an ankle injury.Corporate Hospitality Group offers England V Samoa hospitality. Buy England V Samoa hospitality packages for Autumn Internationals.
