Two Former All Blacks Included In Samoa's November Tests Squad

Samoa head coach Seilala Mapusua has named two former All Blacks in his squad for the November internationals.

Samoa play Italy, Romania and Georgia on tour, their first northern hemisphere tour since 2019 ahead of next year's World Cup in France.

Former All Blacks Steven Luatua and Jeff Toomaga-Allen have been named in the squad as Samoa take advantage of World Rugby's new eligibility laws.

From 1 January, 2022, in order to transfer from one union to another under the revised Regulation 8 (eligibility), a player will need to achieve the below criteria:

• The player must stand-down from international rugby for 36 months
• The player must either be born in the country to which they wish to transfer or have a parent or grandparent born in that country
• Under the revised Regulation 8 criteria, a player may only change union once and each case will be subject to approval by the World Rugby Regulations Committee to preserve integrity

Bristol Bears forward, Steven Luatua played 15 Tests for New Zealand between 2013 and 2016 before heading to Bristol in 2017. Luatua joins clubmmate Chris Vui in the squad while former Bear and now Stormers back Alapati Leiua is included.

Ulster prop Toomaga-Allen's lone Test came in 2013 before his move to Europe. Both New Zealand-born players have expressed a desire to play for Samoa because of their family heritage and are eligible to do so under laws introduced this year.

The other uncapped players in the squad includes Toulon lock Brian Alainu'uese and clubmate Duncan Paia'aua. Paia'aua featured in several Wallabies' training squads but never made his test debut for the side.

Stade Francais forward Tala Gray is also in line to make his test debut at the age of 32. Prop Luteru Toloi and lock Taleni Seu are also in line for their first caps.

Samoa head to Europe off the back of their successful Pacific Nations Cup in July going unbeaten to the title defeating Fiji, Tonga and Australia A.

They face England, Japan, Argentina and Chile in the pool stage when the World Cup begins in September 2023.

Samoa squad:

Backs: Tomasi Alosio, Des Sepulona, Tumua Manu, Joe Perez, Duncan Paia'aua, Alapati Leiua, Nigel Ah Wong, Danny Toala, Stacey Ili, Ulupano Seuteni, Rodney Iona, D'Angelo Leuila, Ere Enari, Jonathan Taumateine.

Forwards: Fritz Lee, Talalelei Gray, Afaesetiti Amosa, Jordan Taufua, Steven Luatua, Taleni Seu, Theo McFarland, Brian Alainu'uese, Chris Vui, Michael Ala'alatoa, Jeff Toomaga-Allen, Donald Brighouse, Nephi Leatigaga, Jordan Lay, Seilala Lam, Manu Leiataua, Luteru Toloi.