Samoa have named an extended 30-man squad for their Nations Cup campaign in November, with three ex-All Blacks included in their extended group.
The Pacific Islanders head into November’s campaign looking for an improvement on their July record, where they picked up just one win from their three Tests, and face Zimbabwe, Portugal and Spain across the month.
Samoa name Nations Cup squad as ex-All Black trio included
The headline names in the 30-man squad are the former All Blacks men, with Akira Ioane, Shaun Stevenson and Josh Ioane the latest players to switch allegiance to Samoa.
Back-rower Akira boasts the most Test experience of the trio, with 21 appearances to his name in the Black jersey after making his debut in 2020. He also featured for the All Blacks XV in 2023, but now qualifies for Samoa after serving the official stand-down period. Ioane is currently plying his trade for Japanese outfit Kintetsu Liners.
Half-back Josh featured twice in the Black jersey across his initial Test career, making his debut off the bench in the 2021 Rugby Championship victory over Argentina. His final cap then came in September of the same year, coming off the bench in a win over Tonga. He has spent the past few seasons in Ireland, featuring for URC outfit Connacht.
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Full-back Stevenson won one Test cap for the All Blacks, but marked his debut with a try in a World Cup warm-up against Australia. He has also featured for both the Barbarians and the All Blacks XV, and now plays his club rugby in Japan with the Kubota Spears.
They also become the latest players to switch Test allegiance to Samoa in recent years, too, following the likes of Scott Sio and Jacob Umaga, among others.
The trio are also among eight uncapped men in the wider 30-man squad, with AJ Lam, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Irae Simone, Efeso Tavita and Chris Gabriel also receiving call-ups.
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Elsewhere, key men such as Theo McFarland and Michael Alaalatoa have also been included, as Samoa look to improve on July’s campaign this time around.
Samoa squad in full
Forwards: Scott Sio, Aki Seiuli, Michael Alaalatoa, Marco Fepuleai, Tietie Tuimauga, Millennium Sanerivi, Sama Malolo, Richie Asiata, Ben Petaia Nee-Nee, Samuel Slade, Chris Gabriel, Theo McFarland, Niko Jones, Alamanda Motuga, Miracle Faiilagi, Akira Ioane, Abraham Papali’i
Backs: 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