Manu Samoa RWC Squad

[aucklander]

Manu Samoa Squad announced today:
PROPS
1. Viliamu Afatia
2. Jake Grey
3. Logovii Mulipola
4. Anthony Perenise
5. Sakaria Taulafo
HOOKERS
6. Wayne Ole Avei
7. Maatulimanu Leiataua
8. Motu Matuu
LOCKS
9. Faatiga Lemalu
10. Teofilo Paulo
11. Kane Thompson
12. Iosefa Tekori
LOOSE FORWARDS
13. Maurie Faasavalu
14. Alafoti Faosiliva
15. TJ Ioane
16. Jack Lam
17. Vavae Tuilagi
18. Ofisa Treviranus (c)
HALFBACKS
19. Vavao Afemai
20. Kahn Fotualii
FIRST FIVE EIGHTHS
21. Patrick Faapale
22. Tusiata Pisi
23. Michael Stanley
MIDFIELDERS
24. Ray Lee Lo
25. Johnny Leota
26. George Pisi
27. Paul Perez
OUTSIDE BACKS
28. Faatoina Autagavaia
29. Ken Pisi
30. Tim Nanai Williams
31. Alesana Tuilagi (vc)

 

[Peat]

What's your thoughts on it Aucklander? Don't really know enough about Samoan rugby to know how close this would be to what you were hoping for as a squad.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Must be desperate that Mulipola is fit.

He been training at Leicester so hopefully he will be fully fit.

Great to see Alex T hitting his best again.

 

[TheSaffycen]

So whose wife did Sinoti Sinoti sleep with ?

 

[aucklander]

Our strengths are in our forwards and hookers, great depth in that department. The PNC was a great tournament to see some new players come through, we now have cover at first five with Michael Standley but really disappointed with the selections of our backup halfback Vavao Afemai/firstfive Patrick Faapale who play their rugby in Samoa (No where near International Level) and were struggling in the pacific nations cup. Players like Sinoti Sinoti/Ah See Tuala/Pele Cowley would have been better inclusions to cover those positions.
From that Travelling squad this would be my starting 22 to hopefully give Scotland/Japan a good run for 2nd spot in their pool. Big players missing in action - Census Johnston/Paul Williams/Daniel Leo/Alapati Leiua.

1. Logovi'i Mulipola
2. Ole Avei
3. Anthony Perenise
4. Kane Thompson
5. Teofilo Paulo
6. TJ Ioane
7. Jack Lam
8. Alafoti Fa'osiliva
9. Kahn Fotuali'i
10. Tusi Pis
11. Alesana Tuilagi
12. Ray Lee Lo
13. Paul Perez
14. Fa'atoina Autagavaia
15. Tim Nanai Williams
16. Sakaria Taulafo
17. Viliamu Afatia
18. Motu Matu'u
19. Joe Tekori
20. Vavae Tuilagi or Maurie Fa'asavalu
21. Michael Stanley
22. George Pisi

 

[mikerevill]

Weakest areas are tighthead and wing, reserve scrum-half may also be an issue.

James Johnston, David Lemi and their scrum-half Cowley have all been ruled out with injury. Afemai has been selected largely due to a lack of other options in the #9 position.

Census Johnston is unable to take part due to his Toulouse contract and is a big loss IMO - their other tightheads are miles behind. Paul Williams I'm less concerned about - he's ageing, injury prone and has barely played for his club over the past few seasons.

Sinoti Sinoti and Levave didn't play well in the PNC so haven't made the cut - unfortunate for them. I agree that Tuala should have made the cut - his versatility would've helped.

1. Taulafo
2. Avei
3. Mulipola
4. Paulo
5. Thompson
6. Fao'siliva
7. Lam
8. Treviranus (c) - Named as captain but in a very competitive position!

9. Fotuali'i
10. T.Pisi
11. A.Tuilagi
12. Leota
13. G.Pisi
14. K.Pisi
15. Nanai-Williams

16. Leiataua
17. Afatia
18. Perenise
19. Tekori
20. Fa'asavalu
21. Afemai
22. Stanley
23. Autagavaia

 

[Maxwell]

Really disappointed that in 4 years we haven't found a backup to Kahn Fotualii, ridiculous.

Ahsee Tuala cad have provided adequate backup to 10 & 15.

Alesana Tuilagi is nothing more than a nostalgic selection

Nanai-Williams is rewarded for his commitment to the cause more than performance. He's barely a S15 standard and not test level.

Bummed to see Taiasina Tuifua, Tii Paulo, Cencus & James missing with Sinoti.

 

[Canuck]

Bummed to see Taiasina Tuifua, Tii Paulo, Cencus & James missing with Sinoti.

Is there a reason Fritz Lee has not been considered?

Crazy to think how scary this team would look with eligible (I think) players like Fritz Lee, Alapati Leuia, David Smith, Alofa Alofa, Sinoti Sinoti. Heck even Nathan Hughes and Uini Atonio could have been eligible.

 

[Blackdevil]

So whose wife did Sinoti Sinoti sleep with ?

He had his chance in the pnc, couldn't take it, not really a good performance, that's the main reason i believe

 

[TobesHodges]

no sionti sinoti..

 

[RedruthRFC]

no sionti sinoti..

Sinoti Sinoti and Levave didn't play well in the PNC so haven't made the cut - unfortunate for them. I agree that Tuala should have made the cut - his versatility would've helped.

^^^^

 

[Maxwell]

Is there a reason Fritz Lee has not been considered?

Crazy to think how scary this team would look with eligible (I think) players like Fritz Lee, Alapati Leuia, David Smith, Alofa Alofa, Sinoti Sinoti. Heck even Nathan Hughes and Uini Atonio could have been eligible.

Unfortunately Fritz Lee has played 7's for AB's

 

[Canuck]

Unfortunately Fritz Lee has played 7's for AB's

Isn't that true for Tim Nanai-Williams as well? I thought that if you hadn't repped another nation for 3 years and held a passport from a different country you were now eligible to play for them nationally? Am I completely confused about this new ruling?

 

[IKALETAHI]

Isn't that true for Tim Nanai-Williams as well? I thought that if you hadn't repped another nation for 3 years and held a passport from a different country you were now eligible to play for them nationally? Am I completely confused about this new ruling?

Tim Nanai Williams used the Newly formed eligibility rule or loophole caused by Rugby 7's now being an Olympic sport. Previously a player was not able to play for more than 1 country regardless of ancestry or stand down periods. Tim Nanai Williams served the minimum requirement of 4 7's tournaments for Samoa to be eligible to swap allegiance.

 

[aucklander]

Fritz Lee like so many others who were willing to pull on the blue jersey for the world cup, were held back by club commitments. Tim Nanai Williams on the other hand was with the Chiefs who understood and supported his decision to Play Sevens to make himself eligible for Manu Samoa. I'm really proud of Tim Nanai Williams for making the decision and hope he provides the spark for the Manu come RWC.