13 New Zealand-based players have been named in the latest Manu Samoa squad to face the Maori All Blacks and Tonga in June and July.
The long-awaited inclusion of the Pacific Islands in southern hemisphere franchise rugby is nearly upon us, but which off-contract players could Moana Pasifika sign for their inaugural season?
Injuries to the likes of Ellis Jenkins, Josh Navidi and most recently Rory Thornton left Blues boss John Mulvihill in need of some additional heft in his pack.
Stuttering Ireland have made multiple changes to their team for the must-win encounter versus Samoa on Saturday, a selection that includes a first appearance at the finals for one midfield missing link.
Evergreen five-eighth Pisi is the only Manu Samoa survivor from the team who stunned a largely second-string Wallabies team 32-23 in 2011.
Tusi Pisi will make his third World Cup appearance at the age of 37, while prop Michael Alaalatoa will complete a compelling family story after both were named in Samoa's squad on Saturday.
Manu Samoa head coach Steve Jackson has rung the changes for his side's Pacific Nations Cup clash with the United States in Suva on Saturday.
While everyone is focused on the Rugby Championship, a raft of tier two nations will kick off their World Cup preparations in the Pacific Nations Cup this weekend.
Manu Samoa head coach Steve Jackson has named a 33-man squad, featuring eight new caps, for the upcoming Pacific Nations Cup.
Premiership bosses are not backing down in the insurance row over player access ahead of the World Cup.
