Two ex-All Blacks among four debutants for Manu Samoa against Zimbabwe

Manu Samoa head coach Lemalu Tusi Pisi has wasted no time bringing the Samoan squad’s new talent into the matchday 23, naming four debutants to face Zimbabwe in England.

Two of the newcomers, Shaun Stevenson and Josh Ioane, are capped All Blacks, while AJ Lam has also spent time in the New Zealand camp, and giant Castres lock Chris Gabriel rounds out the new group. There is no sign yet of Akira Ioane or Etene Nanai-Seturo, whose debuts may yet come during the Nations Cup.

Theodore McFarland is back to captain the team after missing the opening three rounds of the Nations Cup, and will start at tighthead lock. Miracle Faiilagi, who was the stand-in captain in McFarland’s absence, starts at blindside flanker.

69-Test Wallaby Scott Sio is back for more after debuting for Manu Samoa during last year’s 2027 Rugby World Cup qualifying matches, and is joined in the front row by Richie Asiata and Michael Alaalatoa. Benjamin Petaia Nee-Nee will run out alongside McFarland in the second row while Niko Jones brings serious rugby pedigree to the loose forwards alongside Abraham Papali’i.

Connor Tupa’i and Jacob Umaga will lead the backline as the starting halves duo, feeding another capped All Black, Peter Umaga-Jensen at 12 and Lalomilo Lalomilo at centre. Latrell Ah Kiong joins Lam and Stevenson in the back three.

Ioane has been named on the bench alongside Sama Malolo, Aki Seiuli, Tietie Tuimauga, Chris Gabriel, Alamanda Motuga, Joel Lam and Duncan Paia’aua.

Samoa team to play Zimbabwe

1. Scott Sio
2. Richie Asiata
3. Michael Alaalatoa
4. Benjamin Petaia Nee-Nee
5. Theodore McFarland (C)
6. Miracle Faiilagi
7. Niko Jones
8. Abraham Papali’i
9. Connor Tupa’i
10. Jacob Umaga
11. AJ Lam*
12. Peter Umaga-Jensen
13. Lalomilo Lalomilo
14. Latrell Ah Kiong
15. Shaun Stevenson*

Reserves

16. Sama Malolo
17. Aki Seiuli
18. Tietie Tuimauga
19. Chris Gabriel*
20. Alamanda Motuga
21. Joel Lam
22. Josh Ioane*
23. Duncan Paia’aua