Home Rugby MLR talent boosts Manu Samoa squad for PNC

MLR talent boosts Manu Samoa squad for PNC

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Jarred Adams is the latest Major League Rugby player set to represent Manu Samoa. The 28-year-old loosehead prop has been called up for the Pacific Nations Cup after spending the past three years playing for NOLA Gold in the American competition. He has previously suited up for Samoa at u20 level but is yet to make his test debut.

Also called into the 28-man squad is Houston SaberCats flyhalf AJ Alatimu, who along with Seattle’s Rodney Iona can also step in at No12 if needed. Alatimu is recalled after a three-year international hiatus along with former New Zealand 7s winger Lolagi Visinia. Moana Pasifika trialist Theo Steffany is a new name, with Waratahs prop Bradley Amituanai and Canterbury halfback Joel Lam also uncapped.

A handful of players have dropped out of the squad after playing against Scotland last month, Samoa’s only test of the July window. Those include prop Kaynan Siteine-Tua, back row Jonah Mau’u, flyhalf Jacob Umaga, midfielder Duncan Paia’aua, and fullback Latrell Smiler-Ah Kiong. Ex-Eagles prop Titi Lamositele was in the training squad but did not play against the Scots in Auckland.

Samoa are one of four teams vying for three qualification spots available to the 2027 World Cup in Australia. Tonga, Canada, and the USA are the other three. The bottom-ranked of the four will have further opportunities to qualify in one-off playoff and the last-gap Repechage tournament to be played in November. Samoa opens their PNC against Tonga on August 22.

 

LOOSEHEAD PROP
Jarred Adams (NOLA Gold, MLR) uncapped
Aki Seiuli (Utah Warriors, MLR) 9 caps

HOOKER
Ray Niuia (Massey, NZ) 14 caps
Pita Anae-Ah Sue (Houston SaberCats, MLR) 1 cap
Luteru Tolai (Biarritz, FR) 7 caps

TIGHTHEAD PROP
Michael Ala’alatoa (Clermont Auvergne, FR) 19 caps
Bradley Amituanai (Waratahs, AU) uncapped
Marco Fepulea’i (Colomiers, FR) 6 caps

SECOND ROW
Michael Curry (Moana Pasifika) 9 caps
Ben Nee-Nee (Kamaishi Seawaves, JP) 10 caps
Sam Slade (Moana Pasifika) 12 caps

BACK ROW
Niko Jones (Waitemata, NZ) 1 cap
Iakopo Mapu (Northampton Saints, UK) 8 caps
Theo McFarland (capt., Saracens, UK) 18 caps
Olajuwon Noa (Seattle Seawolves, MLR) 5 caps
Taleni Seu (Toyota Shuttles, JP) 10 caps

SCRUMHALF
Joel Lam (Canterbury, NZ) uncapped
Melani Matavao (Moana Pasifika) 22 caps
Connor Tupai (San Diego Legion, MLR) 1 cap

FLYHALF
AJ Alatimu (Houston SaberCats, MLR) 7 caps
Rodney Iona (Seattle Seawolves, MLR) 11 caps

MIDFIELD
Melani Nanai (Capilano, CA) 2 caps
Henry Taefu (Osaka Red Hurricanes, JP) 11 caps

OUTSIDE BACKS
Elisapeta Alofipo (Hunter Wildfires, AU) 2 caps
Tomaso Alosio (Ardmore Marist, NZ) 9 caps
Theo Steffany (Auckland Marist, NZ) uncapped
Tuna Tuitama (Moana Pasifika) 5 caps
Lolagi Visinia (Auckland, NZ) 2 caps

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