Toa Samoa are hoping Terrell May can recover from a hamstring injury as they prepare to draft in replacements to field a fully-fit team against Tonga.<\/p>\n
May missed Samoa’s brutal 24-18 loss to New Zealand on Sunday, after picking up an ankle injury in the lead-up to the Pacific Cup opener in Auckland.<\/p>\n
His injury preceded knock-out blows to Jazz Tevaga, Ata Mariota and Jaydn Su’A, all of whom are automatically ruled out of Sunday’s clash with Tonga.<\/p>\n
The concussions have left Samoa with just 17 fit players in their squad, after Manly winger Clayton Faulalo was called in last week to replace an injured Taylan May.<\/p>\n
Officials are expected to call in more fresh faces on Tuesday, after flying into Brisbane on Monday afternoon ahead of the Lang Park blockbuster.<\/p>\n
But there is a hope Terrell May could be among those in line to play, with the prop to be assessed after flying back to Sydney before Sunday’s defeat.<\/p>\n
“We’ve got a lot of blood and a lot of stitches going on in the room, as well as some bruises,” Samoa coach Ben Gardiner said after the loss.<\/p>\n
“But that is part and parcel of a big game, with that sort of physicality and ball-in-play time.<\/p>\n
“The players are putting their bodies on the line for their country, and that’s what they’re going to do. So credence to them.<\/p>\n
“I thought we were brilliant in a lot of ways. But we didn’t get a win, so it doesn’t tick the boxes we want to tick.”<\/p>\n
Samoa would still likely advance to the November 9 final if they beat Tonga, with a win by seven or more points enough to ensure their place in the decider.<\/p>\n
Terrell May’s inclusion would be crucial, given the bulk of the damage was done to their forward pack.<\/p>\n
With Tevaga sidelined, Chanel Harris-Tavita could likely start at number nine after being one of Samoa’s best players at dummy-half.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Payne Haas is leading the way for Samoa in a depleted forward set-up, but his side has called for replacements for the vital next match in the Pacific Championships. (Getty Images: Hannah Peters)<\/p>\n
Sydney Roosters rookie Benaiah Ioelu could also come onto the bench as back-up hooker, after being activated as 18th man.<\/p>\n
But Samoa otherwise have no spare forwards in their current squad, after naming an all-star starting pack led by Payne Haas and Junior Paulo.<\/p>\n