The embattled coach of the 8th I.R.B. ranked Manu Samoa Sevens team, Viliamu Punivalu, has resigned, less than a year into his role.His resignation was apparently submitted, discussed and approved by the Board of the Samoa Rugby Union (S.R.U.) on Thursday night.Repeated attempts to obtain a comment from the S.R.U. yesterday about Punivalu’s resignation – among other issues – were unsuccessful.When the Weekend Observer visited the Union’s office at Tuana’imato in the afternoon, officials there said Chief Executive Officer, Fred Amoa, had left early in the morning to meet with the Chairman, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi.He was not back when the Weekend Observer left.Meanwhile, contacted for a comment, Punivalu confirmed his resignation.“I’m done and I’m no longer there,” he said about his position with the S.R.U. “I have already given them my resignation letter.”But Punivalu declined to elaborate.“I cannot comment any further because I’m no longer there. So you will have to talk to the S.R.U. to get the information that you need.”Punivalu’s decision comes on the back of a poor performance by the Manu Samoa Sevens. The team finished 8th on the I.R.B.Sevens rankings, the worst position Samoa has been since winning the world title several years ago.Punivalu’s appointment, announced last year, raised a lot of eyebrows.At the time, A.C.E.O. of S.R.U., Tavui Mike Lemisio assured members of the public that Punivalu was the “most outstanding” candidate from a field of applicants that included Manu Samoa legends, Muliagatele Brian Lima and Lemalu Semo Sititi. Tavui is no longer with the S.R.U.