Fiji, Oct. 1 -- Lakapi Samoa is disappointed that the Oceania 7s rugby tournament has been cancelled.

Chief executive Seumanu Douglas Ngau Chun told the Samoa Observer in Apia on Tuesday the cancellation will affect the Samoan national sevens teams' preparation for World Rugby qualification series next year.

Ngau Chun said both the Manu Samoa 7s and Manusina 7s teams were training in Apia for the Rotorua event, initially scheduled for 31 October and 01 November.

Oceania Rugby cancelled the event last Friday, pointing to lack of funding as the main reason for the decision.

"Both teams had already started training and were preparing for the tournament when we were informed of its cancellation," Ngau Chun told the Samoa Observer.

"It is...