Samoa has become the first country to name its final 31-man Rugby World Cup squad, head coach Stephen Betham picking a typically powerful selection of players to challenge at the tournament next month. Samoa line up against South Africa, Scotland, Japan and USA in Pool B of the Rugby World Cup.
They have gone with a forward-heavy group, picking 18 men up front and only 13 in the backs – including only two scrum-halves, one of whom plies his trade as an amateur in Samoa. It places a lot of focus and pressure on Northampton’s Kahn Fotuali’i.
There are plenty of familiar faces to fans of Northern Hemisphere rugby, none more so than captain Ofisa Treviranus. Leicester’s barnstorming prop Logovi’i Mulipola is another big name (physically and literally), while there are two Tuilagis in the group, vice-captain Alesana and the younger number eight Vavae.
Newcastle fans will be bemused by the absence of their devastating finisher Sinoti Sinoti, but the biggest exclusion is undoubtedly Census Johnstone. The Toulouse prop retired earlier this year, but in a shock move reversed that decision to turn out for Samoa against the All Blacks last month.
Now, though, it would seem he is back in exile, with his absence reigniting the rumours that Toulouse have paid him big money to miss the World Cup.
So no Census Johnson because Toulouse won't release him? Hey @WorldRugby your regulation 9 is all shit! Like you. RWC invalidated
— fuimaono-sapolu (@Eliota_Sapolu) August 11, 2015
SAMOA RUGBY WORLD CUP SQUAD
Props: Viliamu Afatia, Jake Grey, Logovii Mulipola, 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 (Captain)
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 Williams, Alesana Tuilagi
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
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Let’s be honest….. the big headline here is – What the hell have Samoa been smoking not to pick Sinoti?
I get that Alesana Tuilagi is probably one of their biggest sporting icons, but they do know it’s not RWC ’03 right?