27 - 31

8 Moana Pasifika players named in star-studded Samoa side for Italy

324 days ago

Nigel Ah-Wong of Samoa breaks with the ball during the Rugby World Cup France 2023 match between England and Samoa at Stade Pierre Mauroy on October 07, 2023 in Lille, France. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Eight Moana Pasifika players have been named in Manu Samoa’s matchday squad ahead of their blockbuster clash with Italy in Apia. This is Samoa’s first match under new coach Mase Mahonri, and it’ll be a tough Test against quality opposition.

Samoa haven’t played an international Test since last year’s valiant run at the Rugby World Cup in France. After starting their campaign with a relentlessly dominant win over Chile, they went down to Argentina, Japan and England to round out pool play.

But those three defeats were by no means one-sided, with Samoa only losing by nine to Los Pumas, by six to the Brave Blossoms, and the difference was just a single point against eventual bronze medallists England.

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With this being the start of a new international campaign and a fresh start of sorts under coach Mahonri, this is “a fantastic opportunity” for Manu Samoa to challenge themselves against the Azzurri before facing Spain on July 13.

“I’m excited about the task ahead and assembling our first squad to play our initial two Tests at home,” Lakapi Sama Chief Executive Officer, Faleomavaega Vincent Fepuleai, said in a statement last month.

A host of @MoanaPasifika_ players are set to line-up against Italy this Friday 🇼🇸
Go well, boys!#SuperRugbyPacific pic.twitter.com/ciUK2wMwL9
— Super Rugby Pacific (@SuperRugby) July 3, 2024

“These matches will provide valuable insights into our future strategies. Hosting Italy, one of the top Tier One nations in the world, is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate and bring rugby back to our people.”

Wales-based prop Aki Seiuli joins Moana Pasifika hooker Sama Malolo and Colomiers Rugby enforcer Marco Fepuleai in the front row. The two locks are lock Benjamin Petaia Nee-Nee, who plays club rugby for Kamashi in Japan, and Samuel Slade.

Saracens backrower Theo McFarland will start in a formidable loose forward trio along with openside flanker Murphy Taramai and Nola Gold No. 8 Olajuwon Noa. That completes a forward pack that includes players from multiple leagues around the world.

The Moana Pasifika halves duo of Jonathan Taumateine and Alai D’Angelo Leuila will steer Manu Samoa’s attack around the park. This is a team with genuine attacking threats out-wide including the midfield of Danny Toala and Alapati Leiua.

Fixture

Internationals

Samoa

33 - 25

Full-time

Italy

All Stats and Data

Nigel Ah Wong joins Counties Manukau flyer Sebastian Visinia on a wing each, while 2015 Australia U20s representative Duncan Paia’au will line up as the starting fullback.

Moana Pasifika have two representatives on the bench. Those players are Michael Cury and Melani Matavao.

This match at Apia Park in Samoa is scheduled to get underway at 5:00 pm WST on Friday.

Manu Samoa to take on Italy

Aki Seiuli
Sama Malolo
Marco Fepuleai
Benjamin Petaia Nee-Nee
Samul Slade
Theo McFarland
Murphy Taramai
Olajuwon Noa
Jonathan Taumateine
Alai D’Angelo Leuila
Nigel Ah Wong
Danny Toala
Alapati Leiua
Sebastian Visinia
Duncan Paia’au

Replacements

Andrew Tuala
Tietie Tuimauga
Lolani Faleiva
Michael Curry
Iakopo Mapu
Melani Matavao
Afa Moleli
Stacey Ili

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 10 days ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 10 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 10 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 10 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 10 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 10 days ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 10 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 10 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 10 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 10 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 10 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 10 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 10 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 10 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 10 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 10 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 10 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 10 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍