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Samoa name squad with two huge PREM omissions but ex-All Black gets call


Theo McFarland of Samoa looks on in the tunnel prior to the Men's Rugby World Cup 2027 Final Qualification Tournament match between Samoa and Namibia at The Sevens Stadium on November 13, 2025 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Christopher Pike - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)
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Samoa have named their 32-man squad for the upcoming Nations Cup in Chile, with captain Theo McFarland missing out on selection.

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The Saracens back-row, who is set to leave the club at the end of the season, is the glaring omission in the squad, having captained his country in November, with the Samoa Observer revealing he is “unable to play in this competition due to engagements during the competition period.”

The 30-year-old is not the only notable omission from the Gallagher PREM, with Exeter Chiefs’ former Australia loosehead Scott Sio also missing out. Like McFarland, the 34-year-old, who made his Samoa debut last year, is moving away from the PREM at the end of the season to join Cardiff.

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Harlequins tighthead Titi Lamositele is the sole representative from England’s top tier in the squad, with former Wasps fly-half Jacob Umaga also missing out. The former England fly-half, who now plies his trade with Benetton in the United Rugby Championship, will miss Samoa’s July fixtures as he serves a four-match ban for a dangerous tackle on South Africa’s Makazole Mapimpi in the penultimate game of the season against the Sharks.

Umaga’s cousin, former All Blacks centre Peter Umaga-Jensen, has received a call-up, however, and is one of six uncapped players in the squad.

Fixture
World Rugby Nations Cup
Samoa
12:00
4 Jul 26
Hong Kong China
All Stats and Data

The squad also includes three players based in Samoa – Falealili’s Warren Solomona, Aana’s Taunuu Niulevaea, who are both uncapped, and Faasaleleaga’s Elisapeta Alofipo.

Samoa face Hong Kong China and Georgia in Chile in July, followed by Romania in Uruguay, with the squad set to fly out to Chile later this month.

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Samoa Squad

Forwards: Aki Seiuli, Titi Lamositele, Jeff Toomaga-Allen, Marco Fepuleai, Jarred Adams, Manaaki Boyle-Tiatia (uncapped), Ritchie Asiata (uncapped), Pita Anae Ah-Sue, Taeaoelia Pomale Time (uncapped), Michael Curry, Samuel Slade, Benjamin Petaia Nee-Nee, Alamanda Motuga, Niko Jones, Miracle Faiilagi, Abraham Papalii, Iakopo Mapu

Backs: Connor Tupai, Joel Lam, Ereatara Enari, AJ Alatimu, Rodney Iona, Peter Umaga-Jensen (uncapped), Faletoi Peni, D’Angelo Leuila, Duncan Paia’aua, Va’afauese Apelu Maliko, Tuna Tuitama, Latrell Ah Kiong, Warren Solomona (uncapped), Taunuu Niulevaea (uncapped), Elisapeta Alofipo

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