Worcester winger David Lemi will captain a Samoa squad including six uncapped players on their three-match tour next month.
Lemi has taken over the captaincy in the continued absence of hooker Mahonri Schwalger who led Samoa at last year's World Cup.
The new caps in the 29-man squad named by coach Stephen Betham are Auckland Blues lock Filo Paulo, former New Zealand rugby league player Setaimata Sa, Samoa sevens star Robert Lilomaiava, flanker Tivani Foma'i, France-based prop Viliamu Afatia and Auckland scrum-half Auvasa Faleali'i.
Samoa will play Canada at Colwyn Bay on 9 November, Wales at Cardiff on 16 November and France in Paris on 23 November.
Former Auckland Blues coach Pat Lam, who will travel with Samoa as a technical advisor, said: "There's some quality players there.
"Certainly, Wales and France are the two form teams in the northern hemisphere at the moment but something that Samoa looks forward to."
Samoa squad: Sakaria Taulafo, Logovi'i Mulipola, Census Johnston, Viliamu Afatia, Ti'i Paulo, Ole Avei, Daniel Leo, Fa'atiga Lemalu, Joe Tekori, Filo Paulo, Taiasina Tuifu'a, Ofisa Treviranus, Maurie Fa'asavalu, Tivani Foma'I, Kane Thompson, Kahn Fotuali'i, Jeremy Su'a, Auvasa Faleali'i, Tusi Pisi, Ki Anufe, Setaimata Sa, Seilala Mapusua, Paul Williams, Robert Lilomaiava, David Lemi (captain), Reupenna Levasa, Paul Perez, Fa'atoina Autagavaia, Alesana Tuilagi, one to be added.
Comments
makemehappy says...
Tricky opponents with that squad. Wales might well want to think about resting players, but when given their four difficult games!!??
Posted 11:22 27th October 2012
powerplay says...
Imagine if they had the resources and enough time together..they would be fierce!
Posted 07:49 27th October 2012
Ferdie says...
a pity re the internal politics ruling out Mahonri Schwalger who's been in good form this yar for Counties-Manukau and would surely have been in the squad otherwise. So many new names, but recognise three who have played here at some stage for taranaki in NPC/ITM. Johnston, Tuifu'a and Perez.
Good luck to them on tour.
Posted 23:26 26th October 2012
NHsaints says...
@TVaddict normally I'd stand up for saints here but Mallinder does seem to have been a bit controlling with some players and their international availability eg: samu manoa
Posted 22:06 26th October 2012
TVaddict says...
I think the Samoan team could really compete if they were allowed more time together. The opportunity for a great scrum to combine with their brilliant running game. Have the Pisi brothers decided to play for Northampton rather than their country?
Posted 10:06 26th October 2012