Samoa confirm November touring squad

Manu Samoa head coach Alama Ieremia had confirmed a 33-man traveling squad for their European tour to face France, Georgia, and Canada in November. A number of overseas professionals are present along with five members of the Samoa ‘A’ team that participated in the Americas Pacific Challenge. Six uncapped players are in line to make their internationals debuts, including two recent New Zealand u20 graduates – North Harbour lock Chris Vui and former Wellington centre Ope Peleseuma.

Hurricanes extended squad prop Hisa Sasagi joins the team for the first time, with massive Samoa ‘A’ standout Nephi Leatigaga called up after impressing in Montevideo. Canterbury prospect Elia Elia is selected as a hooker after leading the Samoan u20 team to victory as a loose forward at the World Rugby u20 Trophy, and he is joined by 19-year-old flyhalf D’Angelo Leuila who has already won two senior caps during the Pacific Nations Cup. Dynamic Perpignan no8 Genesis Mamea steps in to replace the injured Vavae Tuilagi having been a trialist previously.

Bristol captain Jack Lam will lead the side and is one of 10 Aviva Premiership representatives included. Stade Français midfielder Paul Williams is set to return to Manu colors for the first time since 2013 after being overlooked for the 2015 World Cup squad. Leicester prop Logovi’i Mulipola is another notable inclusion, himself absent from test rugby since 2014 and missing out on the World Cup through injury.

FORWARDS
Census Johnston (Toulouse, FR), Nephi Leatigaga (Mt. Wellington, NZ / Samoa ‘A’), Logovi’i Mulipola (Leicester Tigers, UK), Anthony Perenise (Bristol, UK), Hisa Sasagi (Otago Razorbacks, NZ), Sakaria Taulafo (Stade Français, FR), Ole Avei (Bordeaux, FR), Elia Elia (Canterbury, NZ), Manu Leiataua (Bayonne, FR), Piula Fa’asalele (Toulouse, FR), Fa’atiga Lemalu (Sanix Blues / Sunwolves, JP), Filo Paulo (Benetton Treviso, IT), Chris Vui (North Harbour, NZ), Oneone Fa’afou (Vaiala / Samoa ‘A’), Alafoti Fa’osiliva (Worcester Warriors, UK), Greg Foe (Wellington Lions, NZ), Jack Lam (Bristol, UK), Genesis Mamea (Perpignan, FR)

BACKS
Pele Cowley (Waikato, NZ), Kahn Fotuali’i (Bath, UK), Danny Tusitala (Ponsonby, NZ / Samoa ‘A’), Patrick Fa’apale (Vaiala / Samoa ‘A’), D’Angelo Leuila (Southland Stags, NZ), Reynold Lee-Lo (Cardiff Blues, UK), Ope Peleseuma (Hutt Old Boys, NZ / Samoa ‘A’), George Pisi (Northampton Saints, UK), Winston Stanley (Harlequins, UK), Paul Williams (Stade Français, FR), David Lemi (Bristol, UK), Paul Perez (Toulouse, FR), Ken Pisi (Northampton Saints, UK), Albert Nikoro (West Sydney Rams / Western Force, AU), Ahsee Tuala (Northampton Saints, UK)

INJURED/UNAVAILABLE
Samuel Aiono (Counties Manukau, NZ), Paul Alo-Emile (Stade Français, FR), Motu Matu’u (Gloucester, UK), Faifili Levave (Mitsubishi Dynaboars, JP), TJ Ioane (Sale Sharks, UK), Vavae Tuilagi (Carcassonne, FR), Tusi Pisi (Bristol, UK), Alapati Leiua (Wasps, UK), Fa’atoina Autagavaia (Nevers, FR), Tim Nanai-Williams (Ricoh Black Rams, JP)

FIXTURES
Nov 12 – vs France – Stadium Municipal, Toulouse
Nov 19 – vs Georgia – Mikheil Meskhi Stadium, Tbilisi
Nov 25 – vs Canada – Stade des Alpes, Grenoble