Michael Alaalatoa leads 31-man Samoa squad
Michael Alaalatoa of Crusaders during the 2019 Super Rugby game between the Stormers and the Crusaders at Newlands Rugby Stadium in Cape Town on 18 May 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Samoa head coach Seilala Mapusua has selected 13 New Zealand-based players in his squad for their upcoming tour.
They will face the Maori All Blacks and Tonga in June and July with the Crusaders’ prop Michael Alaalatoa the player selected to lead them.
There is just one English-based player involved with the likes of Bristol Bears forward Chris Vui missing out due to his involvement in the Premiership play-offs.
The Premiership final takes place on the day of Samoa’s game against the Maori All Blacks on June 26 in Wellington.
Very important campaign
“This is a very important initial campaign for us playing the qualifier against Tonga and also privileged to play the Maori All Blacks as lead up to the qualifier,” Mapusua said.
“This will be my first campaign and considering the impacts of Covid-19 it wasn’t an easy task selecting the Manu. However, I am very confident we have the best players to represent the jersey and earn us a spot for Rugby World Cup 2023.”
There are 13 new caps that have been named in the squad, including Glasgow Warriors prop Aki Seiuli, Counties Manukau duo Sam Slade and Kalolo Tuiloma, Melbourne Rebels hooker Albert Anae, Highlanders injury reserve Neria Fomai, former Waratahs hooker JP Sauni and ex-schoolboy star Losi Filipo.
Manu Samoa squad
Ah See Tuala, AJ Alatimu, Aki Seiuli, Alamanga Motuga, Albert Anae, Auvasa Falealii, Ben Nee Nee, D’Angelo Leuila, Dwayne Polataivao, Elisapeta Alofipo, Henry Stowers, Henry Taefu, Jack Lam, Joe Perez, John Vaili, JP Sauni, Kalolo Tuiloma, Losi Filipo, Michael Alaalatoa (c), Neria Formai, Olajuwon Noa, Ray Niuia, Rodney Yona, Sam Slade, Seilala Lam, Stacey Ili, Teofilo Paulo, Theodore McFarland, Tietie Tuimauga, TJ Ioane, Tomasi Alosio