Manu Samoa Head Coach Vaovasamanaia Seilala Mapusua announces the Manu Samoa squad for its campaign to prepare the team for the Rugby World Cup 2023 later in September.
The pre-Rugby World Cup campaign will start with a team camp in Samoa on the 1st of July and feature test matches against Japan, Fiji, Tonga and Ireland.
The team will play Japan on the 22nd of July in Hokkaido, Japan and Fiji and Tonga, respectively, on the 29th of July and the 5th of August in Apia, Samoa. Manu Samoa will finish its preparatory stage with a final match against Ireland, currently the number one ranked team in the world, on the 26th of August in France, following the naming of the final RWC squad that will travel to France.
Vaovasamanaia is looking forward to building the team, having named a balanced mix of up-and-coming players with more experienced ones.
Most of the team is based in the Northern Hemisphere.
It includes nine uncapped players hoping to debut for Samoa, with six players having switched to represent Samoa under the World Rugby eligibility rules.
Vaovasamanaia says, “I am excited for what’s ahead and putting in the work with the team to prepare us for a challenging pool at the Rugby World Cup, and our test matches in the pre-RWC provide opportunities to build a solid unit towards our goal.”
“It should also be noted that this is the first time Manu Samoa has assembled in Samoa since 2019, and it will be a special time for the team to be around our families, our villages and our people,” Vaovasamanaia added.
Faleomavaega Vincent Fepuleai, CEO of Lakapi Samoa adds, “We are thrilled to welcome the team back on our shores and we are counting on two very tough and thrilling matches against Fiji and Tonga, our traditional Pacific rivals as this will add to their preparations for rugby’s pinnacle event in France.”
The team is as follows:
FORWARDS
1. Michael Alaalatoa – Fasito’o-uta, Matatufu
2. Brian Alainuuese – Satupaitea, Satuiatua
3. Paul Alo-Emile – Falefa, Fasito’o-tai
4. Michael Curry – Vaoala, Fa’atoia
5. So’otala Fa’aso’o * – Savaia, Falelima
6. Miracle Fai’ilagi * – Vailele, Uafato
7. Charlie Faumuina * – Vaimoso, Gagaifo Lefaga
8. Jack Lam – Gataivai, Malie
9. Seilala Lam – Malie, Gataivai
10. Titi Lamositele * – Saleimoa, Falealupo
11. Jordan Lay – Safotu, Sasina
12. Fritz Lee – Solosolo, Vailele
13. Genesis Mamea-Lemalu – Faletagaloa Safune, Pu’apu’a
14. Steven Luatua * – Saleimoa, Malie
15. Sama Malolo * – Siusega, Salelologa
16. Theodore McFarland – Moamoa, Salelologa
17. Alamanda Motuga – Sataoa, Sa’anapu
18. Ray Niuia – Saipipi, Sa’anapu
19. Taleni Seu – Solosolo, Eva
20. Samuel Slade – Sapunaoa, Vailoa Palauli
21. Sa Jordan Taufua – Salailua, Neiafu
22. Luteru Tolai – Gagaifo Lefaga
23. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen – Falelatai, Lefaga
24. Tietie Tuimauga – Fagafau, Faala
25. Chris Vui – Foailuga, Saasaai
BACKS
26. Nigel Ah Wong – Alafua, Vaiusu
27. Ereatara Enari – Vaiala, Nofoalii
28. Neria Foma’i – Magiagi, Lepuia’i Manono-Tai
29. Stacey Ili – Fasitoo-uta, Satapuala
30. Christian Leali’ifano * – Magiagi, Letogo
31. Alai D’Angelo Leuila – Gataivai, Fagalii
32. Tumua Manu – Afega, Sasina
33. Melani Matavao – Fasito’o-uta, Lauli’i
34. Tim Nanai-Williams – Falelatai, Manono
35. Duncan Paia’aua – Satupaitea, Mutiatele
36. Ulupano Junior Seuteni – Samusu, Malie
37. Lima Sopoaga * – Papa Sataua, Sa’anapu
38. Martini Talapusi * – Vaiala, Malie
39. Jonathan Taumateine – Nofoalii, Satapuala
40. Danny Toala – Lotofaga, Faleasiu
Head Coach: Vaovasamanaia Seilala Mapusua
