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world-rugby-cup-of-nations
Akira Ioane has been named to make his potential Test debut for Manu Samoa against Portugal in the fifth round of the Rugby World Cup of Nations.
The 31-year-old brings 21 Test experience with All black people to the Manu Samoa team that his father Eddie Ioane used to play for. Akira also competed in 14 Sevens tournaments with the All Blacks Sevens, many alongside his younger brother, All Blacks flyer Riek Ioane.
The loose forward ended his game with 118 games Blues career after lifting Super Rugby Pacific trophy in 2024 and was in the Japan with Kinetsu Liners since then. He last represented the All Blacks in November 2022.
196 cm, 123 kg Auckland the product can make his debut off the bench against Portugal, who have lost just one test in the Cup of Nations and boast the second-best defense in the competition. Samoa head coach Lemalu Tusiata Pisi opted for a 6-2 bench split, with veteran loose forward Alamanda Motuga joining Ioane in the strike unit.
Samuel Slade also came on the bench in the number 19 shirt, replacing Chris Gabriel, while the inclusion of Ioane dropped Duncan Paia’au from the squad for the game.
Meanwhile, in the starting XV, the coach has the luxury of perfect continuity after suffering no injuries in the 43-7 win Zimbabwe last weekend. All 15 starters have been retained for the clash with Portugal.
Samoa are currently second in Group A, despite a better points difference than the unbeaten USA above them. Tusiat Pisi’s team cannot afford to lose either of their last two games if they are to usurp the USA at the top of Table A for the inaugural Nations Cup.
Team Manu Samoa is playing against Portugal
- Scott Sio
- Richie Asiata
- Michael Alaatoa
- Benjamin Petaia Nee-Nee
- Theodore McFarland
- Miracle Failagi
- Niko Jones
- Abraham Papali’i
- Connor Tupa’i
- Jacob Morning
- AJ Lam
- Peter Umaga-Jensen
- Underworld Underworld
- Latrell Ah Kiong
- Shaun Stevenson
Reserves
16. Summer vacation
17. Aki Seiuli
18. Driving to the end
19. Samuel Slade
20. Akira Ioane*
21. Alamanda Mtuga
22. Joel Lam
23. Josh Ioane
