Jack Lam of Somoa makes a break during the 2015 Rugby World Cup Pool B match between Samoa and Japan at Stadium mk on October 3, 2015 in Milton Keynes, United Kingdom. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Samoa to blood fresh talent ahead of Rugby World Cup
Samoa coach Steve Jackson has picked eight uncapped players in his 38-man squad for next month’s World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup.
Jack Lam of Somoa makes a break during the 2015 Rugby World Cup Pool B match between Samoa and Japan at Stadium mk on October 3, 2015 in Milton Keynes, United Kingdom. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Manu Samoa have named a fresh looking squad for the upcoming World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup which they will use as preparation for the World Cup.
The PNC gets underway from 27 July and will see Samoa clash with Tonga, the USA and Fiji.
Samoa’s domestic Super 9 competition has provided a platform for prop Alofaaga Sao, flanker Tofatuimoana Solia and winger Johnny Vaili to press their case for national selection.
Former New Zealand and Samoa sevens star Belgium Tuatagaloa has earned his maiden XVs call-up, while second-row Senio Toleafoa, number eight Afa Amosa, UJ Seuteni and Western Force flanker Henry Stowers also join the squad for the first time.
Only six of the squad have previous experience of the Rugby World Cup. Five players who appeared at England 2015 – Motu Matu’u, Teofilo Paulo, Jack Lam, Faifili Levave and Rey Lee-lo – have made the cut, while Logovi’i Mulipola represented Samoa in New Zealand four years earlier.
“I’ve watched it over the last couple of weeks, the semis and the final and previously a couple of round robin fixtures as well and the quality of rugby over here in that Super 9 competition is quite outstanding,” Jackson said.
“I think it’s probably one of the better finals I’ve seen for a long long time, in terms of club, that I witnessed on the weekend and out of the semi-finals we picked up a prop in Alofaaga Sao – he’s only 21 and he’s got a bright future in the game.
“We can always look at New Zealand and Australia and other clubs around the world but I think we’ve got the same sort of quality players here and it’s just about us now as a coach and a management group giving them the tools so they can be as good as they possibly can be, not only in the PNC but the Rugby World Cup and beyond.”
Samoa have appeared in every Rugby World Cup, bar the inaugural tournament in 1987 but haven’t been able to escape the group since 1999.
In preparation for the World Cup campaign Japan, Manu Samoa will face Tonga in Apia on 27 July in the first round of the Pacific Nations Cup before travelling to Suva for games against the USA and Fiji on 3 and 10 August.
Samoa squad
Forwards: Seilala Lam, Raymond Niuia, Elia Elia, Motu Matuu, James Lay, Jordan Lay, Hisa Sasagi, Paul Alo-Emile, Logovii Mulipola, Alofaaga Sao, Kane Leaupepe, Chris Vui, Senio Toleafoa, Teofilo Paulo, Jack Lam, Faifili Leavave, Henry Stowers, Piula Faasalele, Afaesetiti Amosa, Tofatuimoana Solia.
Backs: Dwayne Polataivao, Peleifofoga Cowley, Auvasa Falealii, AJ Alatimu, Ulupano Seuteni, Kieron Fonotia, Henry Taefu, Alapati Leiua, Reynold Lee Lo, Ahsee Tuala, JJ Taulagi, Johnny Vailim, Belgium Tuatagaloa
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