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Defending champions the Samoan Barbarians have been forced to pull out of next month’s Heineken Hottest 7s in World, Darwin (January 23-24 2010).

The tsunami which devastated the Pacific nation in October has meant finances are being used to rebuild the island instead of sending a side to the Northern Territory.

The Samoans won the tournament earlier this year by beating defending champions the South Sea Drifters with a stunning last-minute try in a thrilling final. It crushed the Drifters’, a shadow Fiji team, hopes of securing a hat-trick of titles in Darwin.

Although the NTRU had suggested they would work with the Federal Government to financially support the Samoans, nothing seems to have been resolved thus far.

Australian Coach Michael O'Connor will take a near full strength side to Darwin, playing as the Aussie Spirit. O’Connor will be using the event to fine-tune ahead of the upcoming legs on the World Sevens Series in Wellington and Las Vegas. The Spirit last won the title in Darwin in 2005 and they have been runners-up on four occasions. The Australians impressed in winning the plate in Dubai before disappointing a week later in South Africa at George.

The team will then stay in Darwin for the following week before flying to New Zealand as the ideal preparation to for upcoming IRB tournaments in Wellington and Las Vegas. This is a first for the team who will have this further week to train as a team, something that has not been afforded in previous years.

The organisers of the 2010 event have also announced they are increasing the prize money of the tournament to a record $65,000.

"We are happy to announce this increase, which is recognition of how the event has grown over the last 4 years. In 2005 we had a then record of $20,000 for the competing teams." said Tim Heath of the organising committee.

"This growth has not only been a conscious decision by the committee, but with the increased quality of the teams, along with the tremendous support provided by the Northern Territory Government we have been able to really make a prize worthy of competing for."