Samoa has named a 26-man squad heavy with overseas-based players for next week’s one-off rugby union Test against New Zealand in Apia.
Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegao, who is also chairman of the Samoa Rugby Union, announced the squad in the Samoan capital on Tuesday.
The match lineup has yet to be confirmed, but London Irish flanker Ofisa Treviranus was named earlier this week as captain and is likely to combine in an experienced backrow with France-based double international Maurie Fa’asavalu and Bristol No. 8 Jack Lam. Fa’asavalu played rugby league for Great Britain before joining London-based Harlequins in 2010.
Photo: AFP
The Samoa squad is drawn from players based in England, France, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa, highlighting the extent of the Samoan rugby diaspora.
At least 24 of the 26-man Samoa squad are permanently based overseas. Among the forwards, hooker Wayne Ole Avei plays in France for Bordeaux-Begles, while of the props, Viliamu Afatia is at Agen, Census Johnston at Toulouse, Anthony Perenise at Bristol and Sakaria Taulafo at Stade Francais.
Lock Kane Thompson is with Newcastle in England, while among his fellow second rowers, Teofilo Paulo is with the Cardiff Blues and Iosefa “Joe” Tekori with Toulouse.
Tusiata Pisi, who is likely to start at flyhalf, is based in Japan with Suntory Sungoliath and might combine with scrumhalf Kahn Fotuali’i, who plays at Northampton.
Fullback Tim Nanai-Williams plays for the Hamilton-based Waikato Chiefs in Super Rugby, while, of the wingers named yesterday, Alofa Alofa is with La Rochelle in France, Ken Pisi is with Northampton and Alesana Tuilagi — brother of England center Manu Tuilagi — is at Newcastle.
The broad professional experience should make the team competitive in Samoa’s first-ever home Test against the All Blacks.
“In the forwards alone it’s a big challenge for us as it’s an opportunity, a one-off opportunity to play against the best,” Fa’asavalu said.
The Samoa players have been in camp for some time preparing for the Test on Wednesday next week.
“It’s about every player gelling together ... getting our plays right and the little things that help us make the improvement,” Fa’asavalu said.
New Zealand were also yet to name their match lineup.
Other players in the Samoa squad are: Ma’atulimanu Leiataua, Fa’atiga Lemalu, Alafoti Faosiliva, T.J. Ioane, Peleifofoga Cowley, Michael Stanley, Johnny Leota, Paul Perez and Ah See Tuala.
Shohei Ohtani and Clayton Kershaw on Friday joined their Los Angeles Dodgers teammates in sticking their fists out to show off their glittering World Series rings at a ceremony. “There’s just a lot of excitement, probably more than I can ever recall with the Dodger fan base and our players,” manager Dave Roberts said before Los Angeles rallied to beat the Detroit Tigers 8-5 in 10 innings. “What a way to cap off the first two days of celebrations,” Roberts said afterward. “By far the best opening week I’ve ever experienced. I just couldn’t have scripted it any better.” A choir in the
The famously raucous Hong Kong Sevens are to start today in a big test for a shiny new stadium at the heart of a major US$3.85 billion sports park in the territory. Officials are keeping their fingers crossed that the premier event in Hong Kong’s sporting and social calendar goes off without a hitch at the 50,000-seat Kai Tak Stadium. They hope to entice major European soccer teams to visit in the next few months, with reports in December last year saying that Liverpool were in talks about a pre-season tour. Coldplay are to perform there next month, all part of Hong Kong’s
Shohei Ohtani, Teoscar Hernandez and Tommy Edman on Thursday smashed home runs to give the reigning World Series champions the Los Angeles Dodgers a 5-4 victory over Detroit on the MLB’s opening day in the US. The Dodgers, who won two season-opening games in Tokyo last week, raised their championship banner on a day when 28 clubs launched the season in the US. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts shuffled his batting lineup with all four leadoff hitters finally healthy as Ohtani was followed by Mookie Betts, then Hernandez and Freddie Freeman in the cleanup spot, switching places with Hernandez. “There’s a Teoscar tax to
Marcus Rashford’s first goals for Aston Villa on Sunday inspired a 3-0 win against Preston North End that sent his side into the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time in 10 years. Rashford struck twice in the second half at Deepdale to end Preston’s stubborn resistance before Jacob Ramsey wrapped up Villa’s long-awaited return to the last four. Villa are to face Crystal Palace — 3-0 winners at Fulham on Saturday — in the semi-finals at Wembley Stadium in London. Revitalized since joining Villa on loan from Manchester United during the January transfer window, Rashford is beginning to show the form that