USA Pool Opponents, Samoa Name RWC Squad

Ofisa Treviranus will lead Samoa at the Rugby World Cup it was confirmed today by Head Coach Stephen Betham. The Pacific Island nation will play in a seventh World Cup, having only not been a part of the first tournament in 1987.

Currently ranked 11th in the official World Rankings, Samoa is the third seeded Pool B team but is ranked above the second seeded Scotland. Also in the pool are South Afica, Japan and the USA ranked 5th, 15th and 16th respectively.

South Africa aside, the group is expected to be one of the most unpredictable with a range of possibilities existing including a history making two pool victories for the USA Eagles. Doing so will require very strong performances from the North Americans with Samoa’s confirmed roster being packed with talented professionals based throughout rugby’s professional markets.

Selected are 18 forwards and 13 backs with specialist front-rowers having seen one scrumhalf missing out. Of note is the proportion of players including Ole Avei, Motu Matu’u, Anthony Perenise, Filo Paulo, Kane Thompson, Jack Lam, Tim Nanai-Williams, Ken Pisi, George Pisi, Johnny Leota, Mike Stanley, Kahn Fotuali’i who qualify through eligibility laws.

Samoa is looking for a return to the Quarterfinals after a 16-year hiatus. Samoa reached the Quarterfinals in 1991, 1995, 1999 but have since been shut out of the knockout stage of the Rugby World Cup. Competition for the quarterfinal bids in Pool B should be fierce as there is not a clear cut choice beyond South Africa in the pool. Samoa will head to England as a favorite to break their Quarterfinal drought.

SAMOA
Prop – Viliamu Afatia, Jake Grey, Logovi’i Mulipola, Anthony Perenise, Sakaria Taulafo

Hooker – Ole Avei, Manu Leiataua, Motu Matu’u

Second-row – Fa’atiga Lemalu, Filo Paulo, Kane Thompson, Joe Tekori

Back-row – Maurie Fa’asavalu, Alafoti Fa’osiliva, TJ Ioane, Jack Lam, Vavae Tuilagi, Ofisa Treviranus

Scrumhalf – Vavao Afemai, Kahn Fotuali’i

Fly half – Patrick Fa’apale, Tusi Pisi, Mike Stanley

Center – Reynold Lee-Lo, Johnny Leota, George Pisi, Paul Perez

Wing – Fa’atoina Autagavaia, Ken Pisi, Alesana Tuilagi

Fullback – Tim Nanai Williams