Picking a Samoa 2023 World Cup team under new eligibility laws
World Rugby’s refreshed eligibility laws has caught the global attention of the rugby fraternity over the past 36 hours as excitement builds over how that change in ruling will impact tier two nations.
The two countries with the most to gain from the amended laws are Samoa and Tonga as both nations have a plethora of star players who have now, or will at some stage, become available to play for their Pacific Island teams.
Some of those players will be available to play for those countries immediately, while others will become eligible in the lead-up to the 2023 World Cup in France.
With that in mind, here is a potential match day squad Samoa could roll out against the likes of England, Argentina and Japan in Pool D at the sport’s biggest tournament in two years’ time.
1. Logovi’i Mulipola
A Gallagher Premiership veteran with more than 150 appearances for Leicester Tigers, Newcastle Falcons and Gloucester, Logovi’i Mulipola will likely bid farewell to his 33-test international career at France 2023, by which point he will be 36-years-old.
2. Motu Matu’u
Another long-serving front rower for Samoa – as well as the Hurricanes, Wellington, Gloucester and London Irish – the next World Cup could also be the last hurrah for Motu Matu’u, who will also be 36-years-old when the tournament rolls around.
3. Charlie Faumuina
One of many former All Blacks that Samoa will no doubt be lining up for an international switch of allegiance, Charlie Faumuina played the last of his 50 tests for New Zealand four-and-a-half years ago. That makes the 34-year-old World Cup-winner, who now plays in France for Toulouse, eligible for Samoan selection immediately.
4. Chris Vui
With 18 tests to his name since 2016, Chris Vui has established himself as a key member of the Samoan set-up in recent years, as reflected by his appointment as captain of the national team in 2017 at the age of just 24.
5. Steven Luatua
Faumuina’s ex-All Blacks, Blues and Auckland teammate Steven Luatua could be another former New Zealand international to join Manu Samoa as early as next July. The 30-year-old Bristol Bears star last played for the All Blacks against Italy five years ago, meaning he is now free for selection.
6. Jordan Taufua
Despite being named in the 2018 All Blacks squad to play France, injury prevented Jordan Taufua from ever taking to the field in test rugby for New Zealand. It means the 29-year-old Lyon loose forward is eligible for Samoa, the nation he played for at U20 level in 2011.
7. Du’Plessis Kirifi
Similarly to Taufua, Du’Plessis Kirifi was called into the All Blacks squad as injury cover during last year’s Tri Nations, but never made his test debut. That leaves the 24-year-old Hurricanes star eligible to play for Samoa in the lead-up to and at the next World Cup, while he is still young enough to stand down for three years and have a second crack at the All Blacks.
8. Victor Vito
A two-time World Cup winner, a 2016 Super Rugby champion and an All Blacks veteran of 33 tests, few would add more experience and star power to the Samoan squad than Victor Vito. That prospect could become a reality given the 34-year-old La Rochelle loose forward hasn’t played for New Zealand since the 2015 World Cup.
9. Ere Enari
One of the first signings announced by Super Rugby Pacific expansion side Moana Pasifika, Ere Enari joins the franchise as a potential Manu Samoa representative. Of Samoan and Maori heritage, the 24-year-old would bring with him plenty of experience to the Manu Samoa camp, including five Super Rugby crowns and a 2017 U20 World Championship title.
10. Lima Sopoaga
Another ex-All Black whose test career ended in 2017, Lima Sopoaga is now eligible to represent either Samoa or the Cook Islands, who his brothers play for, under the new rulings. With 16 tests and a 2015 Super Rugby title to his name, the 30-year-old first-five would be a valued addition to either side.
11. Julian Savea
One of the game’s brightest stars during his six-season spell as an All Black, Julian Savea can now revive his international career with Samoa. The 31-year-old Hurricanes wing scored 46 tries in 54 tests between 2012 and 2017, and he didn’t rule out adding to that tally for Samoa in the wake of the World Rugby’s law change.
12. Ma’a Nonu
An all-time rugby icon, Ma’a Nonu would be arguably the biggest name to switch international allegiance if he throws his lot in with Samoa. Even at the age of 39, the San Diego Legion midfielder continues to add quality to each team he’s played for since he made the last of his 103 All Blacks appearances in the 2015 World Cup final, and Samoa would likely benefit from his inclusion.
13. Tim Nanai-Williams
Among the first players to take advantage of World Rugby’s eligibility loophole upon the introduction of sevens to the Olympics, Tim Nanai-Williams has become a staple of the Samoan national squad since his test debut in 2015. That’s unlikely to change for the 32-year-old Toulouse utility back in spite of the rule change.
14. Joe Tomane
Perhaps a forgotten star of the Wallabies and Australian rugby, Joe Tomane could resume his international career after six-year hiatus. The 31-year-old Ricoh Black Rams wing played his 17th and final test for the Wallabies at the 2015 World Cup, after which he left Australia for Ireland, but could add a heap of experience and fire power on the wing for Samoa.
15. Josh Ioane
Two years after making his test debut, Josh Ioane is yet to make his second appearance for the All Blacks. That means that if the 26-year-old Chiefs playmaker doesn’t play for New Zealand in next year’s July test series against Ireland, in the Bledisloe Cup or in the Rugby Championship, then he will be eligible to play for Samoa from September onwards.
Reserves:
16. Ray Niuia
Already a seasoned international for Samoa, Ray Niuia has 10 tests to his name and featured in all four of his nation’s matches at the 2019 World Cup. A Super Rugby Trans-Tasman winner with the Blues this year, the 30-year-old hooker will play for Moana Pasifika in 2022.
17. Aki Seiuli
Set to make his debut for Samoa against the Barbarians at Twickenham this weekend, former Highlanders and Otago prop Aki Seiuli could long-term a long-term prospect for Samoa on the loosehead side of the scrum. The 28-year-old currently plies his trade in Scotland for Glasgow Warriors.
18. Jeff Toomaga-Allen
Eight years after making his only test appearance for the All Blacks, Jeff Toomaga-Allen would add depth and experience to Samoa’s forward pack. Earning selection here ahead of Michael Alaalatoa and Paul Alo-Emile, the 31-year-old Wasps tighthead played a further two non-tests for New Zealand in 2017 and won a Super Rugby title with the Hurricanes in 2016.
19. Sam Slade
Another pick-up for Moana Pasifika, Sam Slade has already committed himself to Samoa by making his first appearances for the nation against the Maori All Blacks and Tonga earlier this year. The 24-year-old utility forward was a member of the world champion New Zealand U20 side of 2017.
20. Alamanda Motuga
Joining Mulipola as one of only two Samoan-born players in this side, Alamanda Motuga has emerged as a standout in the Kiwi domestic scene in recent years. Now signed with Moana Pasifika, the 27-year-old will be eager to add to his three tests ahead of what should be his second World Cup.
21. Jonathan Taumateine
A former Chiefs and Hurricanes halfback, Jonathan Taumateine is another Samoan international who has joined Moana Pasifika for next year. The 24-year-old made his first two test appearances in World Cup qualifiers against Tonga in July.
22. Christian Lealiifano
The inaugural Moana Pasifika signing for 2022, former Wallabies playmaker Christian Lealiifano is due to become eligible for Samoa next September. That will come three years after the 34-year-old’s 26th and final test for Australia in their World Cup quarter-final loss to England, although a call-up from Wallabies boss Dave Rennie shouldn’t be out of the question. If he does indeed opt to switch international allegiance, Samoa could have Lealiifano, Sopoaga and Ioane to pick from at No 10.
23. Denny Solomona
It’s been three years since Denny Solomona played the last of his five tests for England against the Springboks, meaning the 28-year-old Sale Sharks wing is now eligible for Samoa. That could make him a dual-Samoan representative after having played rugby league for the country in 2016.
Comments on RugbyPass
why is this garbage rival sport that’s poaching rugby talents being promoted on a rugby website backed by world rugby again?
3 Go to comments“Ou Lem” leading that ‘98 team to a 13-3 victory was the stuff of legend! Especially since we hadn’t beaten them for many years. 10/12/13 combo of Honiball, Pieter Muller & Andre Snyman were tough as nails! I remember screaming my head off in the early hours of the morning & my brother hitting a hole through one of the bedroom doors🤭😂
1 Go to commentsWhatever about 2017 - it's seven years ago and irrelevant now. In 2021 New Zealand needed a numerical advantage for 75% of the game and what was then the largest home advantage crowd in the history of the sport in order to just _barely_ beat England.
3 Go to commentsBoth cards were harsh. Yet again highlighting rugby's inconsistencies and the absurd effect of cards
2 Go to commentsExcellent game management in the last 15 or so minutes to close it out. Aussie got a bit panicky.
2 Go to commentsWhile all this is going on… I’ve been thinking more about the NFL draft system and how to make the commercial elements of the game more sustainable for SA teams who precariously live on the fringe of these developments. SA teams play in Europe now, and are welcome, because there’s a novelty to it. SA certainly doesn’t bring the bucks (like a Japan would to SR) but they bring eyes to it. But if they don’t perform (because they don’t have the money like the big clubs) - it’s easy come easy go… I think there is an element of strategic drafting going on in SA. Where the best players (assets) are sort of distributed amongst the major teams. It’s why we’re seeing Moodie at the Bulls for example and not at his homegrown Western Province. 20-30 years ago, it was all about playing for your province of birth. That has clearly changed in the modern era. Maybe Moodie couldn’t stay in the cape because at the time the Stormers were broke? Or had too many good players to fit him in? Kistchoff’s sabbatical to Ireland and back had financial benefits. Now they can afford him again (I would guess). What I am getting at is - I think SA Rugby needs to have a very strong strategy around how teams equitably share good youth players out of the youth structures. That is SA’s strong point - a good supply of good players out of our schools and varsities. It doesn’t need to be the spectacle we see out of the states, but a system where SA teams and SA rugby decide on where to draft youth, how to fund this and how to make it that it were possible for a team like the Cheetahs (for example) to end up with a team of young stars and win! This is the investment and thinking that needs to be happening at grassroots to sustain the monster meanwhile being created at the top.
71 Go to commentsGreat win - but very poor officiating yet again. Even the Aussie commentators slammed the YC decisions.
1 Go to commentsThe game where it felt like RSA was going to lose the most was the England game in my view. Heart in throat after the Farrell drop-goal…Amazing that the boks overcame 3 times in a row…not likely to be repeated ever in my view Also the boys looked emotionally spent in the England game in the 1st half That said, why was World Rugby and Beaumont allowed to stack the pools in England’s favour? Toughest opponents on that side of the draw were Fiji, Argentina (implode central) and Auckland Girls 2nd team
52 Go to commentsOnline trolls - the only ppl who the Crusaders can beat
2 Go to commentsDefinitely some greater nous by the Walleroos and it will take a bit of time for Jo Yapp to have a lasting affect. Canada are a forward dominated physical team and only the top 3 teams can match them, though not so sure about BF’s forwards. Many of Canada’s forwards earn their living in the English PWR, the breeding ground for the Red Roses amazing strength in depth. The next PAC4 matches will be interesting.
1 Go to commentsIs the Club World Cup and the World League, in combination, going to make or break world Rugby? I personally think it’s too much. Established tournaments and competitions’s significance is going to be drowned out by “the new shiney Mall built just down the street”.
71 Go to commentsLoved Carr‘s post match interview. “No, I don’t think so Jean. But thank you.” Good kid. Louw a certain feature for the Boks this year.
1 Go to comments“Where is the challenge to Leinster, Toulouse and La Rochelle likely to come from in future?” Racing 92 ? This has not been a good season for them this year, but they have a very strong squad……players like Woki, Nyakane, Kolisi, Le Roux, Lauret(these two older now), Le Garrec, Fickou, Tuisova, Arundell. With the addition next year of Owen Farrell, that is some firepower to mount a serious challenge ? And with Stuart Lancaster having a year under his belt, things should go better. Northampton will be a year wiser, more streetwise too. And I would expect one or two of the South African sides to mount a more serious challenge, but that would depend on keeping more players at home
71 Go to commentsWow, have to go but can’t leave without saying these thoughts. And carlos might jump in here, but going through the repercussions I had the thought that sole nation representatives would see this tournament as a huge boon. The prestige alone by provide a huge incentive for nations like Argentina to place a fully international club side into one of these tournaments (namely Super Rugby). I don’t know about the money side but if a team like the Jaguares was on the fence about returning I could see this entry as deciding the deal (at least for make up of that side with its eligibility criteria etc). Same goes for Fiji, and the Drua, if there can be found money to invest in bringing more internationals into the side. It’s great work from those involved in European rugby to sacrifice their finals, or more accurately, to open there finals upto 8 other world teams. It creates a great niche and can be used by other parties to add further improvements to the game. Huge change from the way things in the past have stalled. I did not even know that about the French game. Can we not then, for all the posters out there that don’t want to follow NZ and make the game more aerobic, now make a clear decision around with more injuries occur the more tired an athlete is? If France doesn’t have less injuries, then that puts paid to that complaint, and we just need to find out if it is actually more dangerous having ‘bigger’ athletes or not. How long have they had this rule?
71 Go to commentsHaha he does the exact opposite of what you’d expect any receiver to do, Brilliant!
3 Go to commentswell the favourites dont always win and let scott robertson chose his number 8
4 Go to commentsthats great for cam miller and the highlanders the crusaders have got problems within there systems that were proberly covered up astheywere winning when scott robertson was in charge
2 Go to commentsThe last time Plumtree coached the sharks they sucked the same when with the hurricanes now back with the shark Springboro. They still have no game plan
1 Go to commentsan impressive nail biting win for the Blues...but for mine the losing of the game sits with Isaia Walker-Leawere who fumbled balls from kick offs, broken play and then stripped of the ball by Sam Nock in the final minute…
4 Go to commentsAll of the Moderna law changes have been to slow the game down, playing into the hands of SA and the north. Incentivising boring, negative rugby. Brilliant changes. Speed up the game.
29 Go to comments