Samoa named squad for World Cup Qualifiers

Samoa will field a team heavily fortified by top European professionals for their upcoming Pacific Nations Cup and World Cup Qualifying fixtures. Delays caused by the Rugby Europe investigations have seen their schedule heavily altered but are now confirmed.

Among the notables named by head coach Dickie Tafua are giant Leicester prop Logovi’i Mulipola, bound for Newcastle next season, and incumbent captain Chris Vui of Bristol. He is joined by clubmates Tusi Pisi and Alapati Leiua, with Cardiff Blues midfielder Reynold Lee-Lo solidifying an impressive backs division.

Returning from international exiles of more than two years are Toulouse lock Joe Tekori, Harlequins utility back Alofa Alofa, and outstanding Newcastle winger Sinoti Sinoti. Gloucester hooker Motu Matu’u adds bite to the front row with former skipper Ofisa Treviranus the most experienced man in the squad.

Three new caps have been included. Imposing Harlequins No8 Mathew Luamanu gets the call having previously represented New Zealand at u20 level, and there are test rookies in the backs in the form of Western Force inside back Rodney Iona and Bordeaux winger Ed Fidow.

The home-and-away series against an opponent still to be determined will begin on June 30 in Apia. Germany and Portugal are set to play in a one-off match on June 16 to determine who will face Samoa. The winner of the two-leg play-off will advance straight to Rugby World Cup 2019, the loser enters the Repechage in November.

FORWARDS
Viliamu Afatia (Racing 92, FR), Paul Alo-Emile (Stade Français, FR), James Lay (Bristol, UK), Jordan Lay (Edinburgh, UK), Logovi’i Mulipola (Leicester Tigers, UK), Elia Elia (Harlequins, UK), Seilala Lam (Perpignan, FR), Motu Matu’u (Gloucester, UK), Brandon Nansen (Stade Français, FR), Joe Tekori (Toulouse, FR), Josh Tyrell (Doncaster Knights, UK), Chris Vui (Bristol, UK), Piula Fa’asalele (Toulouse, FR), TJ Ioane (Sale Sharks, UK), Jack Lam (Bristol, UK), Mathew Luamanu (Harlequins, UK), Ofisa Treviranus (London Irish, UK)

BACKS
Melani Matavai (Otago, NZ), Dwayne Polataivao (North Harbour, NZ), Rodney Iona (Western Force, AU), Tusi Pisi (Bristol, UK), Reynold Lee-Lo (Cardiff Blues, UK), Alapati Leiua (Bristol, UK), Alofa Alofa (Harlequins, UK), Ed Fidow (Bordeaux Bègles, FR), Paul Perez (Toulouse, FR), Ahsee Tuala (Northampton Saints, UK)

FIXTURES
June 9 – vs Fiji – ANZ Stadium, Suva (PNC)
June 16 – vs Tonga – ANZ Stadium, Suva (PNC)
June 30 – vs tbd – Apia Park, Apia (RWCQ)
July 14 – vs tbd – tbd, Europe (RWCQ)