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Samoa coach Stephen Betham claims that the close-knit bonding between his players was a major factor in their success this year.

The Samoans claimed their first ever World Series title last weekend in Edinburgh, winning the tournament itself to add to their victories in Las Vegas, Adelaide, and Hong Kong.

Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele has declared there will be a public holiday in the country, in recognition of the pacific islanders’ landmark achievement.

“The people back home will be celebrating till we get back there. For a small nation like that, it just lifts everyone up,” Samoan coach Stephen Betham told UR7s.

It was the coach’s first year in charge of the national sevens team, making the achievement all the more impressive.

“There was a lot of bonding from the start. It was my first year but most the guys here have been around for the past three years or so.”

“We’ve done a lot of family orientated bonding as well as rugby culture all pulled into one. The boys have really grown up and know each other like the back of their hands and they take that onto the field when they play.”

Samoa’s assault on the World Series crowd seemed to be faltering in Edinburgh, following a nervous first day defeat to Argentina. But they showed their mental resolve at the knockout stages, beating England in a 27 minute extra-time thriller at the semi-final stage through Lolo Lui’s drop goal penalty kick.

It was a result which guaranteed them the Series, with a victory in the final against Australia the perfect finish to the season.

“We had a long talk after the Argentina game and we knew Sunday was a new day, a new challenge. It really was do or die. I told the boys that every game was a final,” added Betham.

“That (semi-final v England) was a heart-stopper. I think we just tried to get the message onto the boys to hold on to possession make sure we don’t kick it away to keep going until we get an opportunity.

“It was a different story in the final. I think most of the pressure was off. I just told to go and enjoy it. Without the pressure they threw the ball around and enjoyed it.”