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Three All Blacks and a Wallaby named in Samoa squad

Christian Lealiifano. (Photo by Photosport)

Samoa’s Rugby World Cup training squad for the upcoming Rugby World Cup 2023 has been announced by head coach Seilala Mapusua.

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The squad features some notable additions, taking advantage of the change in eligibility laws that now allow players to switch international allegiances under certain conditions.

This change has paved the way for the inclusion of former Wallaby fly-half Christian Leali’ifano and ex-All Blacks Charlie Faumuina, Steven Luatua and Lima Sopoaga.

Coach Mapusua has selected a mix of experienced players and promising talents for the squad. Among the notable inclusions are nine uncapped players, highlighting Samoa’s commitment to developing new talent.

The uncapped players will have the opportunity to prove themselves and potentially make their mark on the international stage.

In the forward pack, players such as Michael Ala’alatoa, Jack Lam, and Chris Vui bring experience and leadership to the team. They will be joined by newcomers including Miracle Fai’ilagi, Samuel Slade, and Alamanda Motuga, who will be eager to make an impression.

Tim Nanai-Williams, who has previously represented Samoa, brings his expertise to the squad, along with Nigel Ah Wong and Melani Matavao. The uncapped backs like Tumua Manu and Martini Talapusi will have an opportunity to prove their worth.

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Forwards: Michael Ala’alatoa, Brian Alainu’uese, Paul Alo-Emile, Michael Curry, So’otala Fa’aso’o, Miracle Fai’ilagi, Charlie Faumuina, Jack Lam, Seilala Lam, Titi Lamositele, Jordan Lay, Fritz Lee, Genesis Mamea-Lemalu, Steven Luatua, Sama Malolo, Theo McFarland, Alamanda Motuga, Ray Niuia, Taleni Seu, Samuel Slade, Jordan Taufua, Luteru Tolai, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Tietie Tuimauga, Chris Vui

Backs: Nigel Ah Wong, Ereatara Enari, Neria Fomai, Stacey Ili, Christian Leali’ifano, D’angelo Leuila, Tumua Manu, Melani Matavao, Tim Nanai-Williams, Duncan Paia’aua, UJ Seuteni, Lima Sopoaga, Martini Talapusi, Jonathan Taumateine, Danny Toala

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Comments

4 Comments
P
Poe 645 days ago

Go Tim N-w! Go Samoa.

M
MitchO 645 days ago

Mike Aaa and AloEmile can both anchor a scrum at tighhead. Lima a good 10.
Pity Henry stowers was born the wrong year.

I hope the Tongans have 2 tight heads to go with Adam cat lock and that backline.

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RedWarriors 4 hours ago
Antoine Dupont undergoes surgery on injured knee ahead of long absence

Rugby incident, happens scores of times in a game. Dupont wasn’t even hit with much force, Beirne just clears him and force is added from behind from Furlong.

We can’t have special treatment for France just because their star is the one who gets unlucky.

There is already a lack of clarity around actual Written decisions and how they differ from bans.

For example, Mauvaka the official written decision states Mauvaka to have made a ‘reckless’, ‘deliberate’, shot ‘to the head’ of a ‘player in a vulnerable position’ on the ground. That’s a high level entry ban of 10 weeks. However, the press release did not show ‘reckless’ or ‘vulnerable player’ ticked alloweing Mauvaka to enter at the 6 match mid range.

Similarly Ntamack’s written report showed that it was a ‘reckless’, ‘head shot’ with ‘injury’. The injury was a fully displaced nose bone and Ntamack apologizes for the injury in the written report. This should give Ntamack an entry level of 6 weeks but in the Press Release ‘Injured’ is unticked meaning Ntamack gets away with a 4 week entry ban. This is not counting the fact that the world knows he deliberately injured Thomas.

No. France have been abusing the system for years, recently spreading disinformation about the Ringrose ban in order to undermine confidence in the process.

Giving France even more special treatment is not the answer.

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