Manu Samoa named

11 May 2016, 12:00AM

Manu Samoa Head Coach, Namulauulu Alama Ieremia, has named his squad for the upcoming June test matches against Georgia, Fiji and Tonga.

The test against Georgia will be Manu Samoa’s first hit out for 2016. 

Namulauulu has selected his strongest available squad for the upcoming tests and is pleased to announce the inclusion of U20's players Elia Elia and Dangelo Leuila who were recently successful with the World Rugby U20’s trophy.

Namulauulu recently travelled to Europe to talk to all of the eligible players. 

He’s looking forward to the challenges the season will bring, and is excited about the new squad. 

“To play Georgia, who are the European Nations Cup Champions in front of our local fans, is a great way to start the international season for Manu Samoa,” Namulauulu said.

“Although Manu Samoa is going through a re-building phase, the immediate focus has to be the qualification for 2019 Rugby World Cup. 

“The test matches against Fiji and Tonga are critical to the process of this qualification. 

“I’m heartened by the fact that our experienced players are passionate and have come back to represent the Blue Jersey. It is also exciting to introduce the new breed of talent coming through the ranks, both locally and overseas.”  

Players unavailable for selection due to injury or family reasons are: George Pisi (injury-knee), Johnny Leota (family), Vavae Tuilagi (injury-broken leg), Logovii Mulipola (injury-knee), Ahsee Tuala (injury-hip), Alapati Leiua (injury-knee), Ken Pisi (player fatigue), Ofisa Treviranus (injury-shoulder), Anthony Perenise (family), Wayne Ole Avei (injury-shoulder), Kahn Fotualii (family), and Paul Williams (family).

The Manu Samoa squad is as follows:

FORWARDS:
Sakaria Taulafo - Stade Francias (FRA)
James Johnson - Worcester (UK)
Census Johnson - Toulouse (FRA)
Viliamu Afatia - Agen (FRA)
Jake Grey - SCOPA (SAM)
Sam Aiono - Counties Manukau (NZ)
Nuuuli Lene* - Oriental Rongotai,Wellington (NZ)
Motu Matuu - Hurricanes (NZ)
Manu Leiataua - Stade Aurillacois (FRA)
Seilala Lam* - Nevers (FRA)
Teofilo Paulo - Treviso (ITA)
Faatiga Lemalu - Sunwolves (JPN)
Piula Faasalele - Castre (FRA)
Talaga Alofipo* - Vaimoso (SAM)
Jeff Lepa* - Tasman (NZ)
Jack Lam - Bristol (UK)
TJ Ioane - Sale (UK)
Alafoti Faosiliva - Bath (UK)
Faifili Levave - Mitsubishi (JPN)
Oneone Faafou - Vaiala (SAM)
Greg Foe* - Poneke, Wellington (NZ)
Elia Elia* - Canterbury (NZ)

BACKS:
Pele Cowley - Waikato (NZ)
Auvasa Falealii* - Nevers (FRA)
Dwayne Polataivao* - Pakuranga (NZ)
Tusiata Pisi - Sunwolves (JPN)
Michael Stanley - London (UK)
Patrick Faapale - Fiamme Oro (ITA)
Dangelo Leuila* - Papatoetoe, Auckland (NZ
Rey Lee Lo - Cardiff Blues (WAL)
Winston Stanley - Halequins (UK)
Faialaga Afamasaga - Northland (NZ)
Isaia Petelo* - Marist St Pats, Wellington (NZ)
Malu Falaniko* - Vaiala (SAM)
Paul Perez - Toulouse (FRA)
Faatoina Autagavaia - Nevers (FRA)
David Lemi - Bristol (UK)
Alofa Alofa - La Rochelle (FRA)
Tim Nanai Williams - Ricoh (JPN)
Danny Tusitala* - Ponsonby, Auckland (NZ)

11 May 2016, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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