Strong links to MLR in Manu Samoa squad for July

Ten players with Major League Rugby experience have been selected in the Manu Samoa squad for their July tests against Italy on July 5 and Spain on July 13. The squad includes just ten members of the 2023 World Cup group though some may return to contention ahead of August’s Pacific Nations Cup.

Current MLR players selected by new Head Coach Mahonri Schwalger include NOLA eightman OJ Noa and Anthem fullback Tomasi Alosio. Former players include Lolani Faleiva (Arrows), Marco Fepulea’i (Colorado & LA), Kalolo Tuiloma (Utah & New York), Sama Malolo (Utah & San Diego), Andrew Tuala (LA & Houston), Michael Curry (Colorado), Sam Slade (Colorado), and Murphy Taramai (Colorado)

Faleiva, Fepulea’i, and Taramai are among nine players who have not appeared in a full test for Samoa, though Fepulea’i played against Australia ‘A’ in the 2022 Pacific Nations Cup. Taramai has previously represented New Zealand on the World Sevens Series. Fred Tuilagi and Owen Niue Fetu are locally-based newcomers, though the former has professional experience in England.

Alapati Leuia is the most experienced man in the group, the 35-year-old returning after missing out on the World Cup. D’Angelo Leuila is the only other selection with more than 20 test caps on his resume. NOLA playmaker Rodney Iona and ex-Free Jacks prop Donald Brighouse were among a dozen players identified as injured or unavailable.

PROP
Lolani Faleiva (Hawke’s Bay, NZ) uncapped
Marco Fepulea’i (Colomiers, FR) uncapped
Aki Seiuli (Dragons, UK) 2 caps
Kalolo Tuiloma (Counties Manukau, NZ) 4 caps
Tietie Tuimauga (Montauban, FR) 4 caps

HOOKER
*Sama Malolo (Moana Pasifika, NZ) 7 caps
JP Sauni (Endeavour Hills, AU) 1 cap
Andrew Tuala (Hunter Wildfires, AU) 1 cap

SECOND ROW
Michael Curry (Moana Pasifika, NZ) 3 caps
*Sam Slade (Moana Pasifika, NZ) 5 caps
Senio Toleafoa (Nevers, FR) 4 caps
Ben Nee-Nee (Kamaishi Seawaves, JP) 2 caps
*Theo McFarland (Saracens, UK) 11 caps

BACK ROW
Iakopo Mapu (Moana Pasifika, NZ) 2 caps
Izaiha Moore-Aiono (Northampton Saints, UK) uncapped
OJ Noa (NOLA Gold, MLR) 3 caps
Murphy Taramai (Shimizu Blue Sharks, JP) uncapped
Fred Tuilagi (Marist St. Joseph’s) uncapped

SCRUMHALF
*Ere Enari (Moana Pasifika, NZ) 7 caps
*Melani Matavao (Moana Pasifika, NZ) 15 caps
*Jonathan Taumateine (Moana Pasifika, NZ) 14 caps

FLYHALF
*D’Angelo Leuila (Moana Pasifika, NZ) 23 caps
Afa Moleli (Auckland University, NZ) uncapped
*Duncan Paia’aua (Toulon, FR) 10 caps

MIDFIELD
Stacey Ili (Hawke’s Bay, NZ) 4 caps
Alapati Leiua (Shizuoka Blue Revs, JP) 35 caps
*Danny Toala (Moana Pasifika, NZ) 11 caps
Sebastian Visinia (Counties Manukau, NZ) uncapped

OUTSIDE BACKS
*Nigel Ah Wong (Moana Pasifika, NZ) 11 caps
Tomasi Alosio (Anthem Carolina, MLR) 4 caps
Pisi Leilua (Northland, NZ) uncapped
Owen Niue Fetu (Afega) uncapped

*member of RWC 2023 squad