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Rugby World Cup

Samoa reveal 32-man Rugby World Cup squad including 3 ex-All Blacks

Members of Samoa celebrate their victory at the end of the rugby union match between Japan and Samoa in the Lipvitan D Challenge Cup at the Sapporo Dome in Sapporo on July 22, 2023. (Photo by Richard A. Brooks / AFP) (Photo by RICHARD A. BROOKS/Afp/AFP via Getty Images)

Manu Samoa have named their official 32-man Rugby World Cup squad for France, with one player yet to be named.

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It’s argulable the strongest Samoa World Cup squad of the professional era, boasting several high profile former Tier 1 stars.

Bristol’s Chris Vui and Leinster’s Michael Alaalatoa were named co-captains of the squad, which also includes three former All Blacks in the shape of standoff Lima Sopoaga, flanker Steven Luatua and tighthead prop Charlie Faumuina. Former 1-cap All Black Jeffrey Toomaga-Allen is not listed in the squad, although there is still one place still up for grabs.

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Former Wallaby playmaker Christian Leali’ifano is also included, as is former USA Eagles prop Titi Lamositele.

The squad also includes Jordan Taufua, Brian Alainu’uese, TieTie Tuimauga, Tim Nanai-Williams, Tumua Manu, Fritz Lee, Duncan Paia Aua, Paul Alo-Emile, Genesis Mamea Lemalu and UJ Senteni; all who currently play their rugby in France.

Samoa are set to play the Barbarians in Brive and Ireland in Bayonne in warm-ups matches later this month. They are in Pool D with England, Japan, Argentina and Chile.

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Comments on RugbyPass

L
LameName 12 minutes ago
Sharks name B-team for French giants as Plumtree exit fast-tracked

How Yaw Penxe keeps getting game time is beyond me. He wouldn't even be picked in a school team. The problem with the sharks (excluding coach and game plan) is that they never pick the right players for the games. I am a sharks supporter btw. And Jayden should be dropped till he gets his former form back

3 Go to comments
T
Tom 14 minutes ago
Eben Etzebeth staring at huge ban after another red card

Well… I'd say the modern Boks are not a particularly violent team but it's impossible to getaway with much violence on an international rugby field now. The Boks of yesteryear were at times brutal. Whether or not the reputation is justified, they do have that reputation amongst a lot of rugby fans.

As for point 2.. it's a tricky one, I don't want to slander a nation here. I'm no “Bok hater”, but I've gotta say some Bok fans are the most obnoxious fans I've personally encountered. Notably this didn't seem to be a problem until the Boks became the best in the world. I agree that fans from other nations can be awful too, every nation has it's fair share of d-heads but going on any rugby forum or YouTube comments is quite tedious these days owing to the legions of partisan Bok fans who jump onto every thread regardless of if it's about the Boks to tell everyone how much better the Boks are than everyone else. A Saffa once told me that SA is a troubled country and because of that the Boks are a symbol of SA victory against all odds so that's why the fans are so passionate. At least you recognise that there is an issue with some Bok fans, that's more than many are willing to concede. Whatever the reason, it's just boring is all I can tell you and I can say coming from a place of absolute honesty I encounter far, far more arrogance and obnoxious behaviour from Bok fans than any other fanbase - the kiwis were nothing like this when they were on top. So look much love to SA, I bear no hatred of ill will, I just want to have conversations about rugby without being told constantly that the Boks are the best team in the world and all coaches except Rassie are useless etc



...

205 Go to comments
S
SMak 21 minutes ago
Rassie Erasmus: SA Rugby set out huge new deal for Bok coach

Thing is, can Rassie win against AI simulations that prepare for his tactics, coz at some point everyone gets uninspired, and when that happens the drop is very long. I’m South African… nothing lasts forever, what's the next point of inspiration for the boys, how do they stay ahead of the curve? I can feel the heartache now. STAY CREATIVE SARU! Duplicate Rassie with an AI prompt that continues to stay ahead of the curve through creativity rooted in what the SA core is because at some point the Human Rassie will want to sit down and reflect at what he’s accomplished for the country, while holding a glass of something South African, met ys.

9 Go to comments
J
J Marc 24 minutes ago
Sharks name B-team for French giants as Plumtree exit fast-tracked

Some years ago, french sides were fine and banned for fielding the B team. Today, everybody, including french, does the same thing. CC should begin in semi finals , it would be fine for players welfare and more and more sides are not interessed in the compétition. They are only here for TV deals and fans money.

3 Go to comments
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TC 38 minutes ago
My honest prediction for the Investec Champions Cup – Andy Goode

Sharks are at home and have still picked a B Team

2 Go to comments
P
PMcD 50 minutes ago
Rassie Erasmus: SA Rugby set out huge new deal for Bok coach

Fair play, Rassie is still relatively young but to have the energy and desire to go for 4 x RWC’s and keep reenergising and innovating that team is some achievement.

9 Go to comments
b
by George! 59 minutes ago
All Black Rieko Ioane set for debut as Leinster roll out big guns

Go you good thing!

2 Go to comments
P
PMcD 1 hour ago
How England are building the foundations for World Cup success in 2027

It’s easy to realise with hindsight but when you look at matchday lineups, SB’s were always going to play the way they did and we needed a more powerful forward lineup.

I think if ENG had played:



...

232 Go to comments
B
Ben 1 hour ago
Nations Championship: England to play Springboks at Ellis Park

Two strong sides nowhere near firing as a well oiled, disciplined unit playing to a plan. Can you imagine the chaos?

2 Go to comments
R
RW 1 hour ago
Rassie Erasmus: SA Rugby set out huge new deal for Bok coach

Ja his keeness to continue coaching the Springboks was coupled with the fact that SARU would extend the contracts of his current coaching squad. Hopefully they honor that

9 Go to comments
P
PMcD 1 hour ago
How England are building the foundations for World Cup success in 2027

FL was my favourite player, so clever in the way he would attack the breakdown and absorb the impacts but his ability to stay in the jackal in the big moments was incredible. I was desperate to see how FL, Underhill & Felatau would go together but I think I had to wait about 18 months to get all of them on the pitch together with injuries.

232 Go to comments
G
GrahamVF 1 hour ago
Is 'Terminator 2.0' Andre Esterhuizen the ultimate Eddie Jones hybrid?

They initially had the sand problem when they moved to Green Point but they fixed it with a hybrid if artificial and real grass. The texture of proper grass on top but the plastic binds the roots.

208 Go to comments
E
Eric Elwood 1 hour ago
The potential route to the Rugby World Cup final for the top 6 teams

You said that NZ’s draw in 2027 was as bad as SAs in 2023.

Ireland’s (ranked 1) draw was exactly the same as SA except we were scheduled to play Scotland 6 days before the QF. Ergo harder.



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PMcD 1 hour ago
How England are building the foundations for World Cup success in 2027

Shouting out your defender number and taking the inside man. 🤣

232 Go to comments
P
PMcD 1 hour ago
How England are building the foundations for World Cup success in 2027

🤣🤣🤣 I literally wet myself laughing when I saw him.

232 Go to comments
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Eric Elwood 1 hour ago
Nearly everyone is saying the same thing in wake of Eben Etzebeth red

Claims that were proven correct.

150 Go to comments
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GrahamVF 1 hour ago
Is 'Terminator 2.0' Andre Esterhuizen the ultimate Eddie Jones hybrid?

Thanks Nick.

208 Go to comments
P
PMcD 1 hour ago
How England are building the foundations for World Cup success in 2027

I can still remember his first scrum session with Shawsy, he didn’t know where to bind on him due to the height difference. 🤣

232 Go to comments
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Hammer Head 1 hour ago
Nearly everyone is saying the same thing in wake of Eben Etzebeth red

the problem is people aren’t here for the articles.

150 Go to comments
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AD 1 hour ago
Rassie Erasmus: SA Rugby set out huge new deal for Bok coach

How about a coaches exchange? Like the players do, eg Barrett at Leinster, and Hooper at Exeter.

How about Borthwick to the Boks and Rassie to England for one match?



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9 Go to comments
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