He’s joined by former Chiefs fullback Stevenson, who earned a sole test cap for the All Blacks in 2023, as part of a heavily rotated side who defeated Australia in Dunedin as the final home match before that year’s Rugby World Cup in France.
Shaun Stevenson of the Chiefs during the Super Rugby Pacific rugby match between the Chiefs and the Crusaders at FMG Stadium in Hamilton, New Zealand on Friday February 23, 2024. Copyright photo: Aaron Gillions / www.photosport.nz
Stevenson, 29, who made more than 100 appearances for the Chiefs at Super Rugby level and 12 for the Māori All Blacks, has been with Japan’s Kubota Spears since the start of 2025, after being granted a short-term sabbatical from his New Zealand Rugby contract, before joining fulltime this year.
Josh Ioane, 31, also played just one test – coming against Tonga in Hamilton in 2019 – and had spells with both the Highlanders and Chiefs before leaving for Irish side Connacht in 2024. However, he also represented Samoa at Under-20 level before committing to New Zealand.
The trio aren’t the only former All Blacks in the squad, with Peter Umaga-Jensen also included in Samoa’s squad, after switching from New Zealand earlier this year. The 28-year-old also earned a sole cap for the All Blacks, coming in 2020 against Australia.
Former Chiefs outside back Etene Nanai-Seturo has been selected for the first time, after leaving for France at the end of the 2026 season.
Niko Jones, the son of All Blacks great Sir Michael Jones, also features, along with former Wallaby Scott Sio.
Samoa squad: Scott Sio, Aki Seiuli, Michael Alaalatoa, Marco Fepuleai, Tietie Tuimauga, Millennium Sanerivi, Sama Malolo, Richie Asiata, Ben Petaia Nee-Nee, Samuel Slade Chris Gabriel, Theodore McFarland, Niko Jones, Alamanda Motuga, Miracle Faiilagi, Akira Ioane, Abraham Papali’i, Connor Tupai, Joel Lam, Efeso Tavita, Jacob Umaga, Josh Ioane, Irae Simone, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Duncan Paia’aua, Latrell Ah Kiong, AJ Lam, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Shaun Stevenson
Alex Powell is a sports journalist for the NZ Herald. He has been a sports journalist since 2016.