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Former Utah Warriors captain Dwayne Polataivao has been selected to play for Moana Pasifika in their historic match against the New Zealand Māori next month. The December 5 match in Hamilton will be the first for the team tipped to join a revamped Super Rugby for the 2022 season.
There are nine full internationals named including six who traveled to Rugby World Cup 2019. Samoa reps include props Jordan Lay and Michael Ala’alatoa, flanker Alamanda Motuga, and scrumhalf Polataivao. Tongan loose forwards Zane Kapeli and Nasi Manu are joined by fellow Ikale Tahi veteran Fetuli Paea, the latter ultimately opting out of the tournament in Japan.
Highlanders flyhalf Josh Ioane is the lone All Blacks cap with Fijian RWC 2015 select Asaeli Tikoirotuma in the midfield. Among other notables is Tomasi Alosio, the only included player who did not appear in the 2020 Mitre 10 Cup. The Samoa Sevens captain most recently starred for the Asia Pacific Dragons at the World Tens Series tournament in Bermuda.
Polataivao will not be returning to Major League Rugby in 2021 after opting to stay in New Zealand for family seasons. He captained Utah in four of five matches during the shortened 2020 campaign.
FORWARDS
Michael Ala’alatoa (Manawatu), Jordan Lay (Bay of Plenty), Dan Lienert-Brown (Canterbury), Sione Mafileo (North Harbour), Leni Apisai (Auckland), Samisoni Taukeiaho (Waikato), Naitoa Ah Kuoi (Wellington), Gerard Cowley-Tuioti (North Harbour), Samipeni Finau (Waikato), Zane Kapeli (Bay of Plenty), Nasi Manu (Otago), Marino Mikaele-Tu’u (Hawke’s Bay), Alamanda Motuga (Counties Manukau), Pita Gus Sowakula (Taranaki)
BACKS
Folau Fakatava (Hawke’s Bay), Dwayne Polataivao (Tasman), Josh Ioane (Otago), Stephen Perofeta (Taranaki), Vince Aso (Wellington), Fetuli Paea (Tasman), Asaeli Tikoirotuma (North Harbour), Leicester Fainga’anuku (Tasman), Jone Macilai (Northland), Salesi Rayasi (Auckland), Tomasi Alosio (Wellington), Etene Nanai-Seturo (Counties Manukau)
