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.
SIBLING RIVALRY: Marc Marquez was locked in a duel with his little brother, falling behind at one point before recovering for his first season-opening victory since 2014 Six-time world champion Marc Marquez yesterday won the MotoGP season-opening Thailand Grand Prix to complete a dominant debut weekend at his new Ducati Lenovo Team, having also romped to Saturday’s sprint. The Spanish great took the 26-lap grand prix by 1.732 seconds for his 63rd MotoGP victory from younger brother Alex Marquez, who is still seeking a first checkered flag, with Francesco Bagnaia third to complete an all-Ducati podium. It completed a perfect weekend for Marc Marquez, who took pole position, the sprint victory and the grand prix win for a maximum 37 points to open the 22-leg 2025 campaign. He led from
AC Milan’s slender hopes of reaching next season’s UEFA Champions League took another hit on Thursday with a 2-1 defeat at Bologna which left them eight points from Serie A’s top four. Sergio Conceicao’s team sit eighth, some way behind fourth-placed Juventus after losing an entertaining contest at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara, a match which was rescheduled from October last year due to torrential rain and flooding. Swathes of the Emilia-Romagna region in northern Italy, much of which is fertile agricultural land, had been left under water following a massive autumn downpour. Dan Ndoye prodded home the decisive goal in the 82nd minute
VALUABLE POINT: Relegation-threatened Valencia snatched a thrilling 3-3 draw at CA Osasuna thanks to a remarkable backheel volley by Umar Sadiq Barcelona on Sunday secured a comfortable 4-0 win over Real Sociedad to move back top of La Liga. Aritz Elustondo’s early red card gave Hansi Flick’s side a comfortable afternoon, with Gerard Martin, Marc Casado, Ronald Araujo and Robert Lewandowski on the score sheet. Atletico Madrid beat Athletic Bilbao on Saturday to temporarily knock the Catalans from their perch, while Real Madrid, third, lost at Real Betis Balompie. Flick was able to rotate his side a little ahead of the UEFA Champions League round-of-16 visit to face SL Benfica tomorrow and still move one point above Atletico. “There were a lot of things that
Former Australian motorcycle gang member-turned-golfer Ryan Peake, who served a lengthy jail term for assault, yesterday produced a “life-changing” maiden win to qualify for The Open Championship. Peake held his nerve for a one-stroke victory at the New Zealand Open, earning him a berth at the major in Portrush, Northern Ireland, in July, pending clearance to travel as a convicted criminal. The 31-year-old from Perth celebrated animatedly and was showered with champagne by friends on the 18th green of the Millbrook Resort course near Queenstown after a redemption story rarely seen in the refined sport of golf. Peake held back tears as he
RSS