24 May 2011

Samoa to begin quest for rugby promotion

10:45 am on 24 May 2011

Samoa bid for a quick return to youth rugby's top tier on Tuesday evening when they open their Junior World Rugby Trophy campaign against the United States.

The Under 20 team was relegated from the elite Junior World Championship last year after losing the 11th place playoff match against Tonga.

That sent them into the second tier event in Georgia where they're drawn with Russia, Uruguay and the USA in pool play.

The team had a warm-up win over a selection side in New Zealand and manager, Sami Leota, says they're determined to win the tournament and earn promotion back to the premier division.