Sons of 2 former World Cup greats set for Samoa debut

Tusi Pisi has named his first matchday squad as head coach of Manu Samoa, with six uncapped players included in the 23 vs Scotland in Auckland this Friday.

Former England international Jacob Umaga will make his debut for the country his father, Mike, represented 13 times, including at RWC 1995.

Umaga, who won his only England cap under Eddie Jones against the USA four years ago, starts at fly-half for the Eden Park Test, and is joined in the starting line-up by two other debutants in hooker Pita Anae-Ah Sue and full-back Latrell Smiler-Ah Kiong.

Meanwhile, Niko Jones, the son of All Blacks great Michael, has made the bench, along with two other potential debutants, loose-head Kaynan Siteine-Tua and scrum-half Connor Tupai, whose father Paul played at the highest level in England with Northampton.

The Manu Samoa squad is captained by Saracens loose forward Theo McFarland.

It is the team’s only hit-out before they take part in the Pacific Nations Cup in August and September, which will decide the three direct qualifiers from the region.

SAMOA team vs Scotland

15. Latrell Ah Kiong*
14. Tuna Tuitama
13. Duncan Paia’aua
12. Henry Taefu
11. Tomasi Alosio
10. Jacob Umaga*
9. Melani Matavao
1. Akpi Seiuli
2. Pita Anae-Ah Sue*
3. Michael Ala’alatoa
4. Benjamin Petaia Nee-Nee
5. Samuel Slade
6. Theo McFarland (capt)
7. Jonah Mau’u
8. Taleni Seu

Replacements

16. Luteru Tolai
17. Kaynan Sitiene-Tua*
18. Marco Fepuleai
19. Michael Curry
20. Niko Jones*
21. Iakopo Mapu
22. Connor Tupai*
23. Rodney Iona

(*denotes uncapped Manu Samoa player)