Samoa name World Cup Squad

Ofisa Treviranus has been named captain of Samoa’s World Cup squad after head coach Stephen Betham announced on Tuesday morning the 31 players set to represent Manu Samoa in this year’s tournament.

Having opted to rest a number of players for their Pacific Nations Cup campaign that saw them finish as losing finalists to Fiji last week, Betham has reinstated a number of key and influential figures in preparation for Samoa’s World Cup campaign that begins with a clash against the USA at the Brighton Community Stadium on September 20^th.

Some of the prominent names returning alongside Treviranus - who missed the Pacific Nations tournament with a neck injury, - include Leicester Prop Logovi’I Mulipola, Northampton trio Ken and George Pisi and Kahn Fotuali’i, Hurricanes Ray Lee-lo and Motu Matu’u, Newcastle lock Kane Thompson and former New Zealand Sevens representative Tim Nanai-Williams.

Notable absentees from the squad include centre Alapati Leiua and tighthead prop James Johnston who miss out through injury, Newcastle Falcons winger Sinoti Sinoti, and Census Johnston who, despite turning out for Samoa in their historic exhibition against New Zealand in Apia in July, retired from international rugby having signed an extension to his contract with Toulouse back in April.

The squad in full can be found below:

Forwards (18)

Props: Viliamu Afatia, Jake Grey, Logovi’I Muipola, Anthony Perenise. Sakaria Taulafo.

Hookers: Wayne Ole Avei, Manu Leiataua, Motu Matu’u

Locks: Faatiga Lemalu, Filo Paulo, Kane Thompson, Joe Tekori

Loose forwards: Maurie Faasavalu, Alafoti Faosiliva, TJ Ioane. Jack Lam, Vavae Tuilagi, Ofisa Treviranus

Backs (13)

Scrum-halves: Vavao Afemai, Kahn Fotuali’i

Fly-halves: Patrick Faapale, Tusiata Pisi, Mike Stanley

Centres: Rey Lee Lo, Johnny Leota, George Pisi, Paul Perez

Outside backs: Faatoina Autagavaia, Ken Pisi, Tim Nanai Wiliams, Alesana Tuilagi