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Newly-minted Manu Samoa coach Tusi Pisi has named seven Major League Rugby players in his 35-man squad for the upcoming Scotland test and Pacific Nations Cup. Another five inclusions have previous MLR experience, while former USA Eagles prop Titi Lamositele is recalled after missing out on World Cup selection. Scotland will play the Manu in Auckland on July 18th, and their PNC opener against Tonga is slated for August 23rd.
Houston hooker Pita Anae-Ah Sue and San Diego scrumhalf Connor Tupai could make their test bows this summer. Other MLR players named are Utah duo Aki Seiuli and D’Angelo Leuila, Seattle pair Olajuwon Noa and Rodney Iona, and NOLA Gold star Jonah Mau’u. Leuila is the most-capped player in the squad with 27 tests on his resume.
Former Colorado Raptors forwards Marco Fepulea’i, Michael Curry, and Sam Slade keep their places in the squad. Fepulea’i also spent time in Los Angeles. Uncapped loose forward Niko Jones suited up for Old Glory in 2023, and fullback Tomasi Alosio played for Anthem last year. Jones had previously represented New Zealand Sevens and was also US-eligible but has opted for the jersey his father – Michael Jones – wore before becoming an All Blacks legend.
Several players miss out with professional commitments, most notably Moana Pasifika starters Miracle Fai’ilagi and Jonathan Taumateine. Ex-San Diego and Utah hooker Sama Malolo, who played with Moana this past year, is among four key names ruled out through injury. The others are Moana flanker Alamanda Motuga and France-based midfield pair Tumua Manu and UJ Seuteni.
This year’s Pacific Nations Cup will double as a qualifier for the 2027 World Cup. Samoa are Pool A along with Fiji and Tonga. Pool B is comprised of Canada, Japan, and the USA. With Fiji and Japan already qualified, three spots are up for grabs with the lowest-ranked team to compete in a play-off against a South American opponent still to be determined.
LOOSEHEAD PROP
Titi Lamositele (Harlequins, UK) 1 cap
Aki Seiuli (Utah Warriors, MLR) 8 caps
Kaynan Siteine-Tua (Western Sydney Two Blues, AU) uncapped
HOOKER
Pita Anae-Ah Sue (Houston SaberCats, MLR) uncapped
Leif Schwencke (Linton Lions) uncapped
Luteru Tolai (Biarritz, FR) 6 caps
TIGHTHEAD PROP
Michael Ala’alatoa (Clermont Auvergne, FR) 18 caps
Bradley Amituanai (Waratahs, AU) uncapped
Marco Fepulea’i (Colomiers, FR) 5 caps
Tietie Tuimauga (Montauban, FR) 8 caps
SECOND ROW
Michael Curry (Moana Pasifika) 8 caps
Ben Nee-Nee (Kamaishi Seawaves, JP) 9 caps
Sam Slade (Moana Pasifika) 11 caps
BACK ROW
Malaesaili Elato (Apia Marist) uncapped
Niko Jones (Waitemata, NZ) uncapped
Iakopo Mapu (Northampton Saints, UK) 7 caps
Jonah Mau’u (NOLA Gold, MLR) 3 caps
Theo McFarland (capt., Saracens, UK) 17 caps
Olajuwon Noa (Seattle Seawolves, MLR) 5 caps
Taleni Seu (Toyota Shuttles, JP) 9 caps
SCRUMHALF
Joel Lam (Canterbury, NZ) uncapped
Melani Matavao (Moana Pasifika) 21 caps
Connor Tupai (San Diego Legion, MLR) uncapped)
FLYHALF
Rodney Iona (Seattle Seawolves, MLR) 10 caps
D’Angelo Leuila (Utah Warriors, MLR) 27 caps
Jacob Umaga (Benetton Treviso, IT) uncapped
MIDFIELD
Afa Moleli (Ardmore Marist, NZ) 5 caps
Melani Nanai (Capilano, CA) 2 caps
Duncan Paia’aua (Toulon, FR) 12 caps
Henry Taefu (Osaka Red Hurricanes, JP) 10 caps
OUTSIDE BACKS
Elisapeta Alofipo (Hunter Wildfires, AU) 2 caps
Tomaso Alosio (Ardmore Marist, NZ) 8 caps
Taunu’u Niulevaea (Samoa Sevens) uncapped
Latrell Smiler-Ah Kiong (Western Sydney Two Blues, AU) uncapped
Tuna Tuitama (Moana Pasifika) 4 caps
