Manu Samoa has announced a 32 men’s squad for the Rugby World Cup following their win against Tonga with 34-9 bonus-point win over Tonga in the Pacific Nations Cup final round in Apia on Saturday.
Head Coach Vaovasamanaia Seilala Mapusua made the announcement with Michael Ala’alatoa and Chris Vui named as co-captains.
The team are Nigel Ah Wong, Brian Alaiunuuese, Paul Alo-Emile, Ereatara Enari, So’otala Fa’aso’o, Miracle Fai’ilagi, Charlie Faumuina, Ed Fidow, Neria Fomai, Ben Lam, Seilala Lam, Jordon Lay, Christian Leali’ifano, Fritz lee, D’Angelo Leuila, Steven Luatua, Sama Malolo, Tumua Manu, Melani Matavao, Theodore McFarland, Alamanda Motuga, Duncan Paia’aua, Taleni Seu, Ulupano Junior Seuteni, Samuel Slade, Lima Sopoaga, Jordan Taufua, Jonathan Taumateine, Danny Tuala and Luteru Tolai.
Manu Samoa ran in four tries during their game with Tonga on Saturday Hooker Sama Malolo scored the opening try but three more after the break took the game away from the Tongans.
Lock Miracle Fai’ilagi went over off the back of a rolling maul, center Duncan Paia’aua grabbed the second and replacement scrumhalf Melani Matavao skipped across the line for the third after a quickly taken penalty in the 63rd minute. D’Angelo Leuila, who took over as Samoa flyhalf from former Wallabies playmaker Christian Leali’ifano, contributed 14 points from the kicking tee.
“It was a real arm wrestle in that first half,” said Samoa skipper Michael Ala’alatoa.
“We knew the Tongans were going to bring a physical game, but we were able to withstand that pressure in the first half, score some points, and build some cohesion in the second.”
Tonga struggled to move their potent backline and had to settle for three penalties.
The victory was Samoa’s second in the Pacific Nations Cup after their 24-22 win over Japan in Sapporo last month.
They trail Fiji, who play Japan in Tokyo later on Saturday in the tournament’s final match, by one point in the standings.
Samoa will play England, Japan, Argentina, and Chile in Pool D at the World Cup, while Tonga will face world champions South Africa, Ireland, Scotland, and Romania in Pool B.
