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Samoa reveal 32-man Rugby World Cup squad including 3 ex-All Blacks

Members of Samoa celebrate their victory at the end of the rugby union match between Japan and Samoa in the Lipvitan D Challenge Cup at the Sapporo Dome in Sapporo on July 22, 2023. (Photo by Richard A. Brooks / AFP) (Photo by RICHARD A. BROOKS/Afp/AFP via Getty Images)

Manu Samoa have named their official 32-man Rugby World Cup squad for France, with one player yet to be named.

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It’s argulable the strongest Samoa World Cup squad of the professional era, boasting several high profile former Tier 1 stars.

Bristol’s Chris Vui and Leinster’s Michael Alaalatoa were named co-captains of the squad, which also includes three former All Blacks in the shape of standoff Lima Sopoaga, flanker Steven Luatua and tighthead prop Charlie Faumuina. Former 1-cap All Black Jeffrey Toomaga-Allen is not listed in the squad, although there is still one place still up for grabs.

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Former Wallaby playmaker Christian Leali’ifano is also included, as is former USA Eagles prop Titi Lamositele.

The squad also includes Jordan Taufua, Brian Alainu’uese, TieTie Tuimauga, Tim Nanai-Williams, Tumua Manu, Fritz Lee, Duncan Paia Aua, Paul Alo-Emile, Genesis Mamea Lemalu and UJ Senteni; all who currently play their rugby in France.

Samoa are set to play the Barbarians in Brive and Ireland in Bayonne in warm-ups matches later this month. They are in Pool D with England, Japan, Argentina and Chile.

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Comments

10 Comments
J
Johnny 467 days ago

NZ biggest poachers of world rugby

W
Warner 467 days ago

The Islanders will take some big scalps in pool play.
It will make a big difference in deciding quarter final dreams.
They now have teams in Super Rugby , most have had top club experience and some have played for and ABs , Aust
Good luck to the teams of the Pacific , no one hits harder ?????

M
Mike 468 days ago

Absolutely fantastic to see the former ABs players are able to help the boys at the world cup 2023.

B
Benn Daniel 468 days ago

Incorrect article. The squad has changed. Tim Nanai didn't make it, new addition is Ben Lam. Stop copying and pasting previous articles. This is Manu Samoa's final squad before the world cup. A lot of omissions from the previous selection for the Pacific Nations Cup. Do better rugby pass.

J
Jmann 469 days ago

It is absurd that former ABs are playing for Samoa in a RWC. And what...are half of the squad NZ born?

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JW 31 minutes ago
England player ratings vs South Africa | 2024 Autumn Nations Series

As has been the way all year, and for all England's play I can remember. I missed a lot of the better years under Eddie though.


Lets have a look at the LQB for the last few games... 41% under 3 sec compared to 56% last week, 47% in the game you felt England best in against NZ, and 56 against Ireland.


That was my impression as well. Dunno if that is a lack of good counterattack ball from the D, forward dominance (Post Contact Meters stats reversed yesterday compared to that fast Ireland game), or some Borthwick scheme, but I think that has been highlighted as Englands best point of difference this year with their attack, more particularly how they target using it in certain areas. So depending on how you look at it, not necessarily the individual players.


You seem to be falling into the same trap as NZs supporters when it comes to Damien McKenzie. That play you highlight Slade in wasn't one of those LQB situations from memory, that was all on the brilliance of Smith. Sure, Slade did his job in that situation, but Smith far exceeded his (though I understand it was a move Sleightholme was calling for). But yeah, it's not always going to be on a platter from your 10 and NZ have been missing that Slade line, in your example, more often than not too. When you go back to Furbank and Feyi-Waboso returns you'll have that threat again. Just need to generate that ball, wait for some of these next Gen forwards to come through etc, the props and injured 6 coming back to the bench. I don't think you can put Earl back to 7, unless he spends the next two years speeding up (which might be good for him because he's getting beat by speed like he's not used to not having his own speed to react anymore).

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