Vaili named in Manu Samoa squad for Pacific Nations Cup

By Thomas Airey • 22 June 2019, 10:45PM

A Manu Samoa squad of 38 players, including five non-travelling reserves, has been selected to represent Samoa at the Pacific Nations Cup in July and August.

Ten of the 38 are in line to make their debut in the blue jersey.

The debutants include 21 year-old tighthead prop Alofaaga Sao, who shone for the Savai’i Vikings during their Super 9 campaign.

Tofatuimoana Solia and Johnny Vaili have also made their first Manu Samoa squad off the back of their excellent form on the 2019 World Rugby Sevens Series.

Five additional local players have been selected as non-travelling reserves; Johnny Samuelu and Joe Perez from the Manu Samoa 7s, and Super 9 standouts Afa Aiono (A’ana Chiefs), Patrick Fa’apale and Malu Falaniko (both Vaimauga Eels).

Seilala Lam, Elia Elia, Chris Vui, AJ Alatimu and Kieron Fonotia are recalled having missed last year’s Northern Hemisphere Tour in November.

In all 19 players return from that most recent Manu Samoa campaign, with 14 of that group not being selected for the Pacific Nations Cup.

The squad of 33 will gather in Auckland on the 14th of July (minus Vaili and Solia who will be playing for the Manu Samoa 7s in the Pacific Games) for a week-long camp, before they link up with the non-travelling reserves in Samoa on July 21st, ahead of the opening Pacific Nations Cup fixture against Tonga on July 27th at Apia Park.

Returning from Northern Hemisphere Tour:

Ray Niuia, Motu Matu’u, James Lay, Jordan Lay, Hisa Sasagi, Paul Alo-Emile, Logovi’i Mulipola, Kane Leaupepe, Teofilo Paulo, Faifili Levave, Piula Fa’asalele, Jack Lam, Dwayne Polotaivao, Pele Cowley, Henry Taefu, Rey Lee-Lo, Alapati Leiua, Ahsee Tuala, JJ Taulagi

Unselected players from Northern Hemisphere Tour:

Manu Leiataua, Donald Brighouse, Ben Nee-Nee, Josh Tyrell, Brandon Nansen, TJ Ioane, Iakopo Petelo-Mapu, Ofisa Treviranus, Melani Matavao, Tusi Pisi, D’Angelo Leilua, Stacey Ili, Ed Fidow, Tim Nanai-Williams

Manu Samoa Pacific Nations Cup 2019 squad:

Forwards

Hookers
Names	Club	Villages
Seilala LAM	Perpignan (FRANCE)	Gataivai / Taga / Malie
Raymond NIUIA	Otago Highlanders (NZ)	Saipipi / Saanapu
Elia ELIA	Harlequins (UK)	Salelesi / Afega
Motu MATUU	London Irish (UK)	Fasitoo Uta / Falelatai / Manono

Props
James LAY	Bristol Bears (UK)	Safotu / Sasina
Jordan LAY	Bristol Bears (UK)	Safotu / Sasina
Hisa SASAGI	Dragons Asia Pacific	Vaisala / Malie
Paul ALO-EMILE	Stade Francaise (FRANCE)	Leulumoega Tuai / Fasitoo Tai / Falefa
Logovii MULIPOLA	Newcastle Falcons (UK)	Manono / Palauli
Alofaaga SAO	Savaii Vikings (SAMOA)	Saasaai / Saipipi

Locks
Kane LEAUPEPE	Hurricanes (NZ)	Faleasiu / Tanugamanono
Chris VUI	Bristols Bears (UK)	Foaluga / Lano / Saasaai
Senio TOLEAFOA	Nevers (FRANCE)	Fasitoo Tai / Nofoalii / Vaipuna
Teofilo PAULO	London Irish (UK)	Solosolo / Salea’aumua / Faleapuna / Safune

Loose Forwards
Jack LAM	Bristols Bears (UK)	Gataivai / Taga / Malie
Faifili LEVAVE	La Rochelle (FRANCE)	Foaluga / Lano / Saasaai
Henry STOWERS	Western Force (AUST)	Tafagamanu / Salea’aumua
Piula FAASALELE	Toulouse (FRANCE)	Magiagi / Nofoalii
Afaesetiti AMOSA	Borderaux (FRANCE)	Fasitoo Tai / Vailele
Tofatuimoana SOLIA	Samoa 7’s / Tornadoes	Malaemalu / Satalo

Backs

Halfbacks
Dwayne POLATAIVAO	Doncaster (UK)	Lefagaoalii / Nofoalii
Pelefofoga COWLEY	Ponsonby (NZ)	Vaigaga
Auvasa FALEALII	Nevers (FRANCE)	Letogo / Gagaifo Lefaga

First Fives
AJ ALATIMU	Western Force (AUST)	Salei’a, Avao / Salailua / Afega
Ulupano SEUTENI	Borderaux (FRANCE)	Tiavea / Samusu, Aleipata / Malie

Midfielders
Kieron FONOTIA	Scarlets (WALES)	Apia
Henry TAEFU	Western Force (AUST)	Siufaga, Falelatai / Samatau
Alapati LEIUA	Bristols Bears (UK)	Malie / Patamea
Reynold LEE-LO	Cardiff Blues (WALES)	Vailima / Magiagi / Satoalepai

Outside Backs
Ah See TUALA	Northampton (UK)	Gataivai / Sili / Moamoa / Leauvaa
JJ TAULAGI	Agen (FRANCE)	Faleapuna / Saleimoa / Matatufu
Johnny VAILI	Samoa 7’s / Aana Cheifs	Moataa / Satapuala
Belgium TUATAGALOA	Valence Romans (FRANCE)	Samatau / Falelatai / Sapapalii

Non-travelling reserves
Patrick FAAPALE	Vaiala / Vaimauga Eels
Afa AIONO	Marist / Aana Chiefs
Malu FALANIKO	Vaimauga Taula Eels
Johnny SAMUELU	Aana Chiefs
Joe PEREZ	Faleata Knights

MANAGEMENT

Vaeluaga Steve JACKSON	Head Coach	Fogapoa / Auckland, NZ
Vaaelua Aloi ALESANA	Team Manager	Lalomalava / Leufisa / Moataa
Alistair ROGERS	Defence Coach	Auckland, NZ
Chris LATHAM	Attack Coach	Brisbane, AUST
Ben AFEAKI	Forwards Coach	Auckland, (NZ)
Adam STOREY	Head S&C Trainer	Auckland, (NZ)
John RYAN	S&C Trainer	Auckland, (NZ)
Hari Junior NARAYAN	Head Video Analyst	Vaivase Tai / Poutasi, Falealili
Rauin MORIARTY	Video Analyst 2	Te Kuiti, Waikato (NZ)
Misa Dr Navy COLLINS	Team Doctor	Vaoala / Falelatai / Apolima Uta / Apia
Olivia WITHERS	Head Physiotherapist	London, (UK)
Josh Crabtree	Physiotherapist 2	London, (UK)
Tuipoloa Evan CHARLTON	Media Manager	Fagamalo/Lelepa / Saleaula
Dean ALLNUTT	Logistics Manager	Auckland, (NZ)
Seiuli Salesa SEIULI	Assistant Manager	Saanapu / Falelima
Pastor Lenny SOLOMONA	Mental Skills Coach	Vaimoso / Tufuiopa