Manu Samoa Sevens player Laaloi Leilua has had to leave Dubai where the team are playing in the HSBC World Sevens Series to head home to Samoa for a family emergency.
It's been reported by Samoa Global News that Leilua's four-week-old baby girl has contracted measles as the deadly outbreak of the disease continues in the Pacific island nation.
Coach Sir Gordon Tietjens confirmed Leilua's return home and announced squad changes on the Manu Samoa Sevens Facebook Page.
In Laaloi's absence, the team welcomes Paulo T Fanuasa to the frame as well as Kelvin Masoe.
The squad had their first training on Saturday in Dubai.
Meanwhile, Fiji’s first pool match is against Japan at 4.02am this Friday, Fiji will then take on Argentina at 10.04pm the same night and they will face France in their last match at 4.02am this Saturday.
The quarterfinals will be held at 8.14pm on Saturday, the semifinals will be at 12am this Sunday while the final will be at 4.02am this Sunday.
Barring any upsets, Fiji is likely to meet South Africa, England or Kenya in the quarter-final, they can face South Africa or France in the semi-final and is likely to meet New Zealand or the USA in the final of the Dubai 7s.
TVNZ
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