Former All Blacks trio headline Samoa’s squad for November Nations Cup

Former All Blacks Shaun Stevenson, Akira Ioane and Josh Ioane could make their Manu Samoa debuts in the World Rugby Nations Cup matches this November, among eight uncapped players named in the 30-man squad.

Samoa announced their squad on Thursday afternoon, as they prepare to face three sides also bound for Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia. They will play Zimbabwe first on November 7, followed by Portugal and Spain.

Akira Ioane played more than 20 Tests for the All Blacks, and last represented the All Blacks XV during a tour of Japan in 2023. The backrower has spent the last few years playing for the Hanazono Kintetsu Liners in the second division of Japan Rugby League One.

 

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Josh Ioane became All Black number 1185, coming on as a second-half replacement in a win over Tonga in Hamilton. Ioane now plays club rugby for Irish side Connacht, having featured in the matchday 23 in the opening two rounds of the new URC season.

Stevenson is another one-Test All Black, who was named to start against the Wallabies ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup. The fullback left the Chiefs after the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season, and made 20 appearances for the Kubota Spears during their run to the 2025/26 JRLO Final.

There are eight uncapped players in the Samoa squad, with former All Blacks Sevens and Chiefs representative Etene Nanai-Seturo named. Former Blues midfielder AJ Lam, who is now with Clermont, is another player in line to make their Test debut.

Maruwa’s Irae Simone and Chris Gabriel from Castres Olympique have also been selected. It’s a squad that includes former Wallabies front-rower Scott Sio, who debuted for Manu Samoa during the final qualifying event for next year’s Rugby World Cup.

Samoa started the all-new World Rugby Nations Cup with a 66-19 win against Hong Kong China on July 5, before losing to Georgia and Romania. Their next match will be against Zimbabwe at DIY Kitchens Stadium in Wakefield Trinity, England, in November.

Samoa squad for World Rugby Nations Cup Tests in November

Scott Sio (Cardiff Blues, Wales) Aki Seiuli (Otago, New Zealand) Michael Alaalatoa (Munster, Ireland) Marco Fepuleai (Gloucester, England) Tietie Tuimauga (Saracens, England) Millennium Sanerivi (RC Vannes, France) Sama Malolo (Perpignan, France) Richie Asiata (Leicester, England) Ben Petaia Nee-Nee (Kamaishi, Japan) Samuel Slade (Sayama Secom, Japan) Chris Gabriel* (Castres Olympique, France) Theodore McFarland (La Rochelle, France) Niko Jones (Waitemata RFC, New Zealand) Alamanda Motuga (Counties Manukau, New Zealand) Miracle Faiilagi (Green Warriors, Japan) Akira Ioane* (Kintetsu, Japan) Abraham Papali’i (Castres, France) Connor Tupai (Eastern Suburbs, Australia) Joel Lam (Otago, New Zealand) Efeso Tavita* (Laumoso’oi Siumu, Samoa) Jacob Umaga (Treviso, Italy) Josh Ioane* (Connacht, Ireland) Irae Simone* (Maruwa, Japan) Peter Umaga-Jensen (Kintetsu, Japan) Lalomilo Lalomilo (FCG Grenoble, France) Duncan Paia’aua (Biarritz, France) Latrell Ah Kiong (Two Blues, Australia) AJ Lam* (Clermont, France) Etene Nanai-Seturo* (Clermont, France) Shaun Stevenson* (Kubota, Japan)