Samoa name eight uncapped players

Editor

Otago back-row TJ Ioane is one of eight uncapped players named in Samoa’s 31-man squad for next month’s tour to Europe.

Otago and Highlanders back-row TJ Ioane is one of eight uncapped players named in Samoa’s 31-man squad for next month’s tour to Europe.

Ioane – a former New Zealand schools representative – is joined by Counties Manukau trio Ahsee Tuala (full-back), Michael Stanley (fly-half) and Rey Lee-Lo (centre), Wellington’s Jack Taulapapa (scrum-half), La Rochelle’s Alofa Alofa (wing), Auckland’s Pete Cowley (scrum-half) and Treviso’s Albert Anae (prop) as the new members in the squad.

Lee-Lo, Alofa and Anae have played at Super Rugby level for the Crusaders, Waratahs and Reds respectively.

Tuala will feature at full-back for Samoa despite being Counties’ first-choice fly-half this season.

Samoa kick off their tour with a Test against Italy in Ascoli Piceno on November 8, before facing Canada in Vannes, France six days later.

They conclude their tour against England at Twickenham on November 22.

Samoa squad:

Forwards: Sakaria Taulafo (Stade Fran