Samoa head coach Seilala Mapusua has named his 33-man squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.
The squad features a blend of experience and youth, with captain Jack Lam and TJ Faletau both returning after missing the 2019 World Cup. There are also first call-ups for three former All Blacks: Tim Nanai-Williams, Malakai Fekitoa, and Jack Goodhue.
Nanai-Williams, Fekitoa, and Goodhue all left New Zealand to play in Japan in 2021. They are all eligible to play for Samoa through their parents.
The squad is as follows:
Forwards:
- Michael Alaalatoa (Western Force)
- Ray Niuia (Montpellier)
- Paul Alo-Emile (Montpellier)
- Iosefa Tekori (Clermont Auvergne)
- Michael Stewart (Montpellier)
- Sam Caird (Western Force)
- Josh Tyrell (Bath)
- TJ Faletau (Clermont Auvergne)
- Jack Lam (captain, Bristol Bears)
- Kane Leaupepe (Saracens)
- Henry Taefu (Montpellier)
- Psalm Wooching (Toulouse)
- Jeremy Thrush (Perth Spirit)
- D’Angelo Leuila (Perth Spirit)
- Theo McFarland (Clermont Auvergne)
- Sam Slade (Clermont Auvergne)
Backs:
- Ulupano Seuteni (Perth Spirit)
- Tim Nanai-Williams (NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes)
- Kieran Read (Toyota Verblitz)
- Malakai Fekitoa (NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes)
- Henry Taefu (Montpellier)
- Dwayne Polataiki (Perth Spirit)
- Jonathan Ruru (Montpellier)
- Jack Goodhue (NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes)
- AJ Alatimu (Montpellier)
- Rodney Iona (Perth Spirit)
- Ed Fidow (Bristol Bears)
- Timoci Tuipulotu (Toulouse)
- Tomasi Alosio (Montpellier)
Samoa are drawn in Pool D alongside England, Japan, Argentina and Chile.
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They will begin their campaign against Chile in Bordeaux on September 16, 2023.
Mapusua said: “We are excited to announce our squad for the Rugby World Cup. It is a talented group of players who have worked hard to earn their selection.
“We have a challenging pool but we are confident in our ability to compete and win. We are looking forward to the tournament and giving it our best.”
Samoa have never won the Rugby World Cup, but they have reached the quarterfinals on two occasions. They will be looking to make a good impression at the World Cup in 2023 and improve on their previous performances.
The squad features a number of experienced players who will be key to Samoa’s chances, including Lam, Nanai-Williams, and Fekitoa. There are also a number of exciting young players in the squad, such as Faletau, Wooching, and Iona.
Samoa will be hoping to make a deep run at the World Cup and challenge for a place in the quarterfinals. They have a tough pool to navigate, but they have the talent and experience to do so.
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