All Blacks trio headline Samoa’s official Rugby World Cup squad

Samoa have named three for former All Blacks and an ex-Wallaby in their official 33-man squad for the Rugby World Cup in France in later this year. 

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SAMOA NAME STAR-STUDDED SQUAD FOR Rugby World Cup

Three All Blacks and an Australia rugby star have switched international allegiance for the Rugby World Cup and joined Samoa.

Charlie Faumuina, Steven Luatua, Lima Sopoaga and former Wallaby fly-half Christian Leali’ifano were named in the official Samoan 33-man squad for the tournament on Sunday.

Faumuina accumulated 50 caps for the All Blacks between 2012 and 2017 and was part of the 2015 World Cup-winning squad. Sopoaga has 16 Test appearances for New Zealand, Luatua has represented the Kiwis15 times internationally. 

The 35-year-old Leali’ifano has turned out for the 26 times and last played for Australia at the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

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The strong squad also includes Leinster prop Michael Ala’alatoa, Clermont veteran Fritz Lee, Saracens star Theo McFarland and Lyon’s Jordan Taufua.

The group will be led by Alaalatoa an Chris Vui, who were appointed as co-captains.

Samoa are in Pool D at the Rugby World Cup, alongside England, Argentina, Japan and Chile, and will be hoping to cause an upset and challenge for a quarter-final spot. 

Samoan RWC squad:

Backs: Neria Foma’i, Alai D’Angelo Leuila, Nigel Ah Wong, Ben Lam, Ed Fidow, Tumua Manu, Danny Toala, Ulupano Junior Seuteni, Duncan Paia’aua, Lima Sopoaga, Christian Leali’ifano, Jonathan Taumateine, Ereatara Enari, Melani Matavao.

Forwards: Fritz Lee, So’otala Fa’aso’o, Jordan Taufua, Alamanda Motuga, Miracle Fai’ilagi, Steven Luatua, Taleni Seu, Chris Vui (co-capt), Sam Slade, Theo McFarland, Brian Alainu’uese, Charlie Faumuina, Paul Alo-Emile, Michael Alaalatoa (co-capt), Jordan Lay, Seilala Lam, Sama Malolo, Luteru Tolai.