Six Manu Samoa Sevens internationals are set to light up the Rugby Premier League (RPL) in India.
Motu Opetai, Owen Niue, Taualai Panoa, Taitaifono Senio Tavita, Ravuama Seruvakula and Tusitafu Toilolo will have the opportunity to showcase their talents when the tournament kicks off on 16 June 2026.
The Samoan stars will rub shoulders with India’s top Sevens players, as well as some of the best talent from around the world. Joining them in the competition are international standouts such as New Zealand’s Akuila Rokolisoa and Fiji’s Vuiviwa Naduvalo.
Rugby Premier League (RPL)
The RPL is India’s premier professional rugby competition and the country’s first franchise-based Rugby Sevens league.
Organised by Rugby India, the tournament brings together elite domestic talent and international stars from some of the world’s leading rugby nations, providing a platform to grow the sport and raise playing standards across the country.
RPL feature six city-based franchises and has quickly established itself as a landmark competition in Indian rugby, combining fast-paced, high-intensity Sevens action with a professional sporting environment that aims to accelerate the development of rugby in one of the world’s largest sporting markets.
Hyderabad Heroes
The home team of the tournament, the Hyderabad Heroes, will be coached by New Zealand Sevens legend and former Samoa international DJ Forbes.
Samoan internationals Ravuama Seruvakula and Taitaifono Senio Tavita will play under Forbes’ guidance. Both players are fresh off the Marist International Sevens and will arrive at the tournament in peak match fitness. Seruvakula is a product of Marist St Joseph’s, while Tavita, a former Apia Maroons standout, has returned home to represent Saleimoa Sevens as they continue to build their reputation on the local sevens circuit.
The Samoan duo will be joined by Australian Sevens veteran Maurice Longbottom and All Blacks Sevens stalwart Regan Ware.
Kolkata Banga Tigers
Samoa’s high-flying winger Owen Niue will pull on the Kolkata Banga Tigers jersey. Niue is currently playing club rugby in New Zealand and will have the privilege of being coached by one of the game’s greats, former Fiji Sevens captain and current Fiji Sevens head coach Osea Kolinisau.
Joining Niue are prolific Fijian try-scoring machine Vuiviwa Naduvalo and All Blacks Sevens speedster Brady Rush.
Bengaluru Bravehearts
Spain Sevens head coach Paco Hernandez will take the reins of the Bengaluru Bravehearts. His squad boasts an abundance of talent, including Manu Samoa Sevens forward Motu Opetai.
Opetai has spent the year playing club rugby for Marist Hawaii before recently returning home to represent Siumu at the Marist International Sevens.
Alongside Opetai will be Australian Sevens captain Henry Hutchison and All Blacks Sevens playmaker Akuila Rokolisoa, giving the Bravehearts a formidable combination of experience and attacking flair.
Chennai Bulls
England Sevens great and former Fiji Sevens head coach Ben Gollings will lead the Chennai Bulls.
Gollings will have the services of Samoa’s Taualai Panoa and Tusitafu Toilolo, who have both been playing club rugby in New Zealand alongside Owen Niue.
The Samoan pair will link up with towering Fijian forward Joseva Talacolo, creating a powerful and dangerous outfit capable of troubling any opposition.
This version tightens the language, removes repetition, and gives each team profile a more professional sports-feature feel.
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