Japanese trio lead Samoan raid on NZ
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 08:51
The severely depleted Samoan squad has been bolstered by the inclusion of three Japan-based professional players, as they step up preparations for their one-off Test against New Zealand in New Plymouth next Wednesday, September 3.
Samoa coach Niko Palamo on Thursday named a team featuring the Japanese-based trio of lock Filipo Levi, along with loose forwards Semo Sititi and George Stowers.
The Samoan squad has been robbed of most of their top-flight players because of the unwillingness of United Kingdom and French clubs to release their Samoan players - as the game was a hastily arranged affair that falls outside the International Rugby Board (IRB) window for Test matches.
With the clubs not obliged to release players, the Samoan team features just one player based in Europe - Exeter Chiefs lock Chad Slade.
There are also three New Zealand-based players - hooker Simon Lemalu (Counties Manukau), veteran Auckland scrumhalf Junior Polu'uliuligaga and centre Romi Ropati (a teammate of Lemalu at Counties Manukau).
The rest of the 24-man squad - which also features Sevens star Uale Mai - consists of Samoan-based players.
* Meanwhile Samoan officials have again urged the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) to finally send the All Blacks on a tour of the Pacific Island.
Next Wednesday's game, a warm-up for New Zealand ahead of the Tri-0Nations decider against Australian 10 days later, will be just the sixth time the two nations have met in Test action - with the All Blacks yet to play a match in the island country.
Samoan Rugby Union (SRU) Chief Executive Peter Schuster said that was a trend which he hoped would end as early as next year.
He added the SRU had pushed unsuccessfully for next week's belatedly-arranged match to be played in Apia, Samoa.
"New Zealand had already made that commitment, on where to have it and so on," Schuster told Yahoo!Xtra.
"We gave in to New Zealand, but hopefully to reciprocate, that they would come and play in Samoa before the Tri-Nations next year. That would be great.
"It would really sell the stadium, help us with our gates.
"And it would be good for people to come to Samoa for holidays. Everyone could have a good week.
"We would very much appreciate it if we could have the next one in Samoa. We would always like to have a game against New Zealand.
"And what we are looking at is having the opportunity for New Zealand to come to Samoa, at a time when everyone is available. It is history in the making."
Samoan squad:
Hookers: Loleni Tafunai (Apia, Samoa), Simon Lemalu (Counties Manukau)
Props: Heroshi Tea (Apia, Samoa), Lafoga Aoelua (Apia, Samoa), Roysiu Tolufale (A'ana, Samoa)
Locks: Filipo Levi (Ricoh, Japan), Chad Slade (Exeter Chiefs/UK), Maselino Paulino (Tuamasaga, Samoa)
Loose forwards:
Simaika Mikaele (Apia, Samoa), Semo Sititi (Docomo, Japan), Alafoti Faosiliva (Apia, Samoa), George Stowers (Kobe, Japan), Misioka Timoteo (Apia, Samoa)
Scrumhalves: Notise Tauafao (Apia, Samoa), Junior Polu'uliuligaga (Auckland, NZ)
Flyhalves: Uale Mai (Apia, Samoa), Roger Warren (Apia, Samoa)
Centres: Jerry Meafou (Tuamasaga, Samoa), Pale Toelupe (Apia, Samoa), Romi Ropati (Counties Manukau, NZ), Gasolo Salima (Apia, Samoa)
Wings: Esera Lauina (Apia, Samoa), Reupena Levasa (Apia, Samoa)
Fullback: Alatasi Tupou (Apia, Samoa)
