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Samu Manoa is to miss Toulon’s Argentina tour. The USA enforcer has been confirmed as not being considered fit to take part in the upcoming two-match series between Toulon and the Argentina XV.
The loss continues what has been an extended lay-off period for the Eagles forward. The 32-year-old’s season was plagued with injuries. The latest being an arm injury earlier in 2017. It ruled him out of playing in the USA’s Rugby World Cup qualifiers against Canada.
Manoa started all four matches for the USA at Rugby World Cup 2015. He did so playing No 8. Since then injuries have hampered his participation. Last November he played against Romania and Tonga, playing second-row from the bench in the former and starting at flanker in the latter.
The Californian remains among the leading players from North America. A fit-again Manoa is expected to be a key component for Toulon in the upcoming season. The French club is chasing titles in both the Top 14 and European Champions Cup.
For Toulon playing against the Argentina XV is a welcome pre-season opportunity. The club has close ties to the country due to the involvement of players past and present from Argentina at Toulon. Presently back-rowers Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe and Facundo Isa play for the club.
Toulon is also home to World Class athletes from both France and around the world. Double Rugby World Cup winner, Ma’a Nonu being a case in point. The New Zealand center, though, will join Manoa in missing the trip to Argentina.
Other players ruled out of touring are hooker and captain Guilhem Guirado, winger Bryan Habana, second-rower Juandre Kruger and No 8 Duane Vermeulen.
The tour will see Toulon in Argentina for fifteen days. The first match will take place on Saturday July 29 at CASI in Buenos Aires. Game two is to be played on Friday August 04 at Tucumán Lawn Tennis Club in Northern Argentina.
