Samoa reveals World Cup hand
Coach Stephen Betham has included six players who missed the recent Pacific Nations Cup, where Samoa were beaten by Fiji in the final, including prop Logovi'i Mulipola.
Hurricanes midfielder Rey Lee-Lo and the Pisi brothers – Tusi, George and Ken – also make the squad after missing the PNC. Treviranus, 31, returns to the squad after a neck injury suffered in Samoa's historic home Test against New Zealand last month.
Betham said that despite losing to Fiji in the final of the PNC, the tournament proved invaluable in settling on his World Cup squad.
"The task was to test our depth and to give players an opportunity to rise to the occasion. Some obviously did and some weren't quite strong enough to unseat the established professional players in their positions," Betham said.
Three Samoan-based players, prop Jake Grey, scrumhalf Vavao Afemai and flyhalf Patrick Faapale all did enough in the PNC to earn selection ahead of strong competition from overseas-based players.
Betham said former captain and wing David Lemi, prop James Johnston and scrumhalf Pele Cowley were not available because of injury.
The team announcement made no reference to the absence of veteran front row forward Census Johnston, who played for Samoa against the All Blacks last month despite his contract with Toulouse stipulating an end to his Test career.
Other notable names missing from the list included flank Faifili Levave and outside backs Sinoti Sinoti, Paul Williams and Ah See Tuala.
"This has been an incredibly difficult selection process as we have had to leave behind some excellent players, including those who performed well at the PNC but we cannot take everyone, and there is comfort knowing we have depth, should we need to call on it," he added.
Samoa have been drawn in Pool B at the World Cup along with South Africa, Scotland, Japan and the USA.
Samoa World Cup squad:
Forwards: Ole Avei, Manu Leiataua, Motu Matu'u, Viliamu Afatia, Jake Grey), Logovi'i Mulipola, Anthony Perenise, Sakaria Taulafo, Fa'atiga Lemalu, Filo Paulo, Joe Tekori, Kane Thompson, Maurie Fa'asavalu, Alafoti Faosiliva, Jack Lam , Ofisa Treviranus (captain), TJ Ioane, Sanele Vavae Tuilagi.
Backs: Vavao Afemai, Kahn Fotuali'i, Patrick Fa'apale, Tusi Pisi, Michael Stanley, Rey Lee-Lo, Johnny Leota, Paul Perez, George Pisi, Fa'atoina Autagavaia, Ken Pisi, Alesana Tuilagi, Tim Nanai-Williams.
AFP
