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Ex-All Blacks squad member Jordan Taufua to make Samoa debut against Tonga
Former All Blacks squad member Jordan Taufua has been named to make his test debut for Samoa against Tonga in the Pacific Nations Cup this weekend.
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Taufua, the former three-time Super Rugby title-winning Crusaders loose forward, has been named by Manu Samoa head coach Seilala Mapusua as one of eight test debutants for his side’s clash against the ‘Ikale Tahi at Churchill Park in Lautoka.
Selected to start at No 8, Taufua will make his first outing in test rugby, four years after he was named in the All Blacks squad for their 2018 mid-year test series against France, of which he didn’t feature in due to a broken arm.
The 30-year-old Lyon star was never called upon by the All Blacks again, and has since been called into the Samoan squad for their Pacific Nations Cup campaign, which got off to a winning start against Australia A in Suva last weekend.
Taufua didn’t feature in Samoa’s last-gasp 31-26 victory at ANZ National Stadium, and will instead debut for his adopted nation, which he represented at U20 level in 2011, on Saturday.
He will be joined by nine other test rugby newcomers, six of whom played in the win over Australia A, which wasn’t considered a test match.
Among those players includes wing Nigel Ah Wong, whose brace on debut last week won the match for Samoa in the dying stages of the game.
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Elsewhere, former Blues and Chiefs midfielder Tumua Manu has been named at second-five for his test debut, despite having not been included in the initial Manu Samoa squad.
The other test debutants in the starting lineup are LA Giltinis prop Andrew Tuala and Moana Pasifika fullback Danny Toala, both of whom featured in the Australia A match.
Likewise, Dragons prop Aki Seiuli, Clermont loose forward Fritz Lee and Moana Pasifika flyer Lolagi Visinia will all make their test debuts for Samoa from the bench after playing against Australia A.
The inclusions of Lee and Visinia come in the wake of World Rugby’s new eligibility laws, which enables players who have represented one country internationally to play for a second nation that they are eligible for via birthright following a three-year stand down period.
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While Lee and Visinia never played test rugby, they did represent the All Blacks Sevens in 2010 and 2012, respectively, which disqualified them from playing for Samoa at test level.
That has since changed, though, allowing both players to make their test debuts for Samoa after starting against Australia A.
Lee, Lolagi and Seiuli are three of four uncapped Samoan players in the reserves, the other being Moana Pasifika lock Michael Curry.
Manu Samoa will be captained by Leinster prop Michael Alaalatoa, with kick-off against Tonga scheduled for 12pm on Saturday local time.
Samoa team to play Tonga
1. Andrew Tuala*
2. Ray Niuia
3. Michael Alaalatoa (c)
4. Sam Slade
5. Chris Vui
6. Theo McFarland
7. Jack Lam
8. Jordan Taufua*
9. Jonathan Taumateine
10. AJ Alatimu
11. Nigel Ah Wong*
12. Tumua Manu*
13. Neria Fomai
14. Ed Fidow
15. Danny Toala*
Reserves
16. Seilala Lam
17. Aki Seiuli*
18. Kalolo Tuiloma
19. Michael Curry*
20. Fritz Lee*
21. Auvasa Falealii
22. D’Angelo Leuila
23. Lolagi Visinia*
Comments on RugbyPass
Good luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
37 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
37 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
2 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
37 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
37 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
37 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
37 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
37 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to comments