Better fitness is behind for the Samoa 7s team’s strong performance in the current World Series, coach Sir Gordon Tietjens says.

After a dismal couple of seasons, Samoa is now a regular contender in tournament quarterfinals, having placed 4th last weekend in Hong Kong, following the high of second place in Las Vegas.

Sixth in the standings prior to this weekend’s Singapore Sevens, Sir Gordon said his players had come to understand the level of fitness that’s required of them.

Sir Gordon says experience has also helped to lift Samoa up the standings.

Samoa have been drawn in Pool D in Singapore alongside New Zealand, Japan and Spain.