The SENSATIONAL Samoa XV set to light up the Rugby World Cup

Jared Wright
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Manu Samoa could produce an upset in Rugby World Cup Pool D this year when they take on Chile, Argentina, Japan and England; here is how they could lineup.

Samoa head coach Seilala Mapusua announced his training squad to begin preparations for the Rugby World Cup with several high-profile players included.

Like Tonga, Samoa have made the most of the change in rugby’s eligibility laws to select players who have credible links to the Pacific Island nation, having previously played for the All Blacks or Wallabies.

This has resulted in call-ups for former All Blacks Steven Luatua, Charlie Faumuina and Lima Sopoaga, and former Wallabies pivot Christian Leali’ifano. 

Mapusua also sprung a surprise with the selection of former USA prop Titi Lamositele, who represented the Eagles at Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan.

Samoa are set to face Chile, Argentina, Japan and England in Rugby World Cup 2023 Pool D and could produce a shock result judging on the quality of players in their squad.

Planet Rugby takes a look at how the Samoans could lineup at France 2023 later this year.

Former Super Rugby stars

15 Lima Sopoaga: Mapusua’s 40-man squad consists of just 15 backs, highlighting the versatility he has at his disposal and that starts with former All Blacks’ pivot Sopoaga. While he played almost exclusively at flyhalf for the Highlanders and All Blacks during his time in New Zealand, Sopoaga has often featured at fullback for Wasps and Lyon and could turn out in the same role for Manu Samoa, where he can dovetail with the starting flyhalf. Danny Toala was the go-to starter for Mapusua in the position last year and will rival Sopoaga for the role, but he could also turn out on the wing or in the centres for the side.

14 Tim Nanai-Williams: An incredibly versatile player for Samoa, Nanai-Williams could feature in any backline role outside of scrumhalf. There will be question marks whether the 34-year-old still has the pace to play out on the wing, but his overall skill set is undeniable. We already mentioned that Toala could fill the wing role, as could Neria Foma’i and Melani Matavao.

Top 14 stars in the centres

13 UJ Seuteni: The La Rochelle man has gained a few new admirers this season through his performances for Ronan O’Gara’s side, but he has been a regular for Samoa for some time now. He is set to feature in his second World Cup this year, and with the additions of flyhalves Sopoaga and Leali’ifano in the squad, he can return to his more favoured centre role for the Pacific Islanders – an unbelievable talent and a player to keep an eye on this World Cup.

12 Duncan Paia’aua: Joining Seuteni in the centres is Toulon star Paia’aiua; the 28-year-old was on the fringes of Wallabies’ squads for a long time but ultimately made his debut for Manu Samoa last year. He looks like a nailed-on starter but faces stiff competition from Toala, Stacey Ili, D’Angelo Leuila and the excellent Tumua Manu.

11 Nigel Ah Wong: The 33-year-old has been a consistent presence in Mapusua’s squads and starting XVs, and is poised to continue to do so. Like with the other backline positions, several players will be vying for the role, and Ah Wong will have a battle to retain the role, with Manu being one of his biggest threats. 

Moana Pasifika halfbacks

10 Christian Leali’ifano: The flyhalf role has been an achilles heel for the Pacific Island sides in the past, but Samoa have two proven internationals to pick from in 2023 in Leali’ifano and Sopoaga. Seuteni filled the role with great aplomb last year, while Paia’aua can also operate in the number 10 jersey. However, we are backing the veteran Leali’ifano to steer the ship for the men in blue this year. 

9 Ereatara Enari: Just two scrum halves are in the squad, with Enari joined by Jonathan Taumateine. The pair will battle it out for the starting role, and at the moment, Enari has the edge, having started the November internationals against Georgia and Italy. Both players have linked up with Leali’ifano for Moana Pasifika this Super Rugby Pacific season and are well-rounded players providing a healthy selection headache. 

Options aplenty in the back row

8 Fritz Lee: Things really get interesting in the Samoan pack, with several players capable of covering multiple positions and providing some hefty grunt and power. Lee is one of the older players in the pack, but the Clermont veteran still packs a powerhouse punch that Samoa will be keen to tap into. He will face competition for a starting role, notably from the uncapped So’otala Fa’aso’o and Perpignan star Genesis Mamea-Lemalu.

7 Jordan Taufua: The former Crusaders star has continued to shine in European competitions for Leicester Tigers and now Lyon. The hard-hitting and carrying back-rower was once on the fringes of the All Blacks squad, and it’s easy to see why. He was a regular starter for Samoa last year, mainly on the side of the scrum, and should continue to be so.

6 Steven Luatua: A potential leader in the pack for Samoa as the former All Blacks back-rower looks to make his long-awaited debut for Pacific Islanders. He was called into the squad last year, but injuries denied him a first cap. Premiership fans will know the quality he adds to the side, whether in the second or back row. 

Premiership locks

5 Chris Vui: Luatua’s Bristol Bears teammate adds further pace, power and dynamism to an already stacked forward pack. Vui has a wide-ranging skill set that should see him start for the Samoans despite the pressure from Samuel Slade and Taleni Seu.

4 Theo McFarland: Arguably the best blindside flanker in the Premiership, McFarland looks set to start in the second row for Manu Samoa. The extremely talented forward is one of the most athletic forwards in the game and will be looking to make a splash on rugby’s biggest stage. McFarland is a superstar in all facets of the game and will be a hugely influential player. 

Front row

3 Mike Alaalatoa: The Leinster tighthead will likely captain the side, as he did last year, but will have more competition for his jumper in 2023. Titi Lamositele can play both sides of the scrum but is comfortable in the number jersey, with the same applying to Tietie Tuimauga. Jeffrey Toomaga-Allen is also in the mix after a standout season with Ulster. Meanwhile, Rugby World Cup winner Charlie Faumuina and Stade Francais veteran Paul Alo-Emile are also vying for the role. 

2 Seilala Lam: There are a few candidates for the starting hooker role, with Lam and Ray Niuia the two standouts. The pair are uncompromising old-school hookers making this a close call. 

1 Titi Lamositele: Considering the number of tightheads named in the squad, we predict that former USA and Saracens prop Lamositele will switch sides of the scrum for the World Cup. Lamositele is a demanding customer in the set pieces but gets around the park well, too and is a massive loss for the Americans and an even bigger gain for the Samoans. Jordan Lay is the other loosehead prop in the mix, who will be determined to retain his starting role. 

READ MORE: The STACKED Tonga XV that could cause a Rugby World Cup upset

Argentina Lima Sopoaga

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