Samoa name Rugby World Cup squad

Editor

Samoa head coach Stephen Betham has announced his 31-man squad for the Rugby World Cup with Ofisa Treviranus named as captain.

The backs – forwards split sees 18 forwards selected (three hookers, five props, four locks and six loose forwards) and 13 backs (two scrum-halves, three fly-halfs, four midfielders and four outside backs).

Treviranus returns to the squad after he injured his neck in the Test against the All Blacks in Apia last month. Veteran winger Alesana Tuilagi is the squad's vice-captain. 

The Hurricanes' Rey Lee Lo and George Pisi of the Northampton Saints boost the midfield stocks, while Leicester Tigers prop Logovi'i Mulipola adds firepower to the front row.

Pisi's brother, fellow Saint Ken, is amongst the outside backs while another Northampton stalwart, scrum-half Kahn Fotuali'i, is also in the squad as well as former New Zealand Secondary Schools and Sevens representative Tim Nanai-Williams, who is amongst the outside backs.

Another Hurricane, hooker Motu Matu'u also made the cut while there's also place in the squad for experienced lock Kane Thompson.

The most notable absentee is veteran Toulouse prop Census Johnston, although his omission is no surprise having announced his retirement from international rugby earlier this year. 

Samoa Rugby World Cup squad:

Props: Viliamu Afatia, Jake Grey, Logovii Mulipola, Anthony Perenise, Sakaria Taulafo

Hookers: Wayne Ole Avei, Manu Leiataua, Motu Matu'u

Locks: Faatiga Lemalu, Filo Paulo, Kane Thompson, Joe Tekori

Loose forwards: Maurie Faasavalu, Alafoti Faosiliva, TJ Ioane, Jack Lam, Vavae Tuilagi, Ofisa Treviranus (Captain)

Scrum-halves: Vavao Afemai, Kahn Fotuali'i

Fly-halves: Patrick Faapale, Tusiata Pisi, Mike Stanley

Centres: Rey Lee Lo, Johnny Leota, George Pisi, Paul Perez

Outside backs: Faatoina Autagavaia, Ken Pisi, Tim Nanai Williams, Alesana Tuilagi