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Ex All black people Shaun Stevenson, Akira Ioane and Josh Ioane could make their own Manu Samoa debuts in Nations Rugby World Cup games in November this year, among the eight unqualified players named in the 30-man squad.
Samoa announced their squad on Thursday afternoon as they prepare to face three sides who are also going for the men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia. They will play Zimbabwe first on November 7, and then Portugal and Spain.
Akira Ioane played more than 20 Tests for the All Blacks, most recently representing All Blacks XV during the tour Japan 2023. The last player has spent the last few years playing for Hanazono Kintetsu Liners in Japan’s second division Rugby League One.
Josh Ioane became All Black number 1185, coming on as a second-half substitute in the win over Tonga Hamilton. Ioane now plays club rugby for Ireland’s Connacht, after making 23 appearances in the first two rounds of the new URC season.
Stevenson is another Test All Black, who has been named to start against the Wallabies ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Beck left Bosses after 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season and made 20 appearances for Kubota Spears during their run to the 2025/26 JRLO finals.
There are eight uncapped players in the Samoa squad, with former All Blacks Sevens and Chiefs representative Etene Nanai-Seturo named. Ex Blues midfielder AJ Lam, now with Clermont, is another player in line to make his Test debut.
Maruwa’s Irae Simone and Chris Gabriel from Castres Olympique was also selected. It is a squad that includes former Wallabies front-rower Scott Sea, who made his debut for Manu Samoa during next year’s Rugby World Cup finals qualifier.
Samoa kicked off a brand new Rugby World Cup with a 66-19 win Hong Kong China On July 5, before he lost to Georgia and Romania. Their next match will be against Zimbabwe at the DIY Kitchens Stadium in Wakefield Trinity, England in November.
Samoa Test Squad for the Rugby World Cup of Nations in November
Scott Sio (Cardiff Blues, Wales) Aki Seiuli (Otago, New Zealand) Michael Alaalatoa (Munster, Ireland) Marco Fepuleai (Gloucester, England) Tietie Tuimauga (Saracens, England) Millennium Sanerivi (RC Vannes, France) Sama Malolo (Le Richignan) England (Le Richignan, France) Petaia Nee-Nee (Kamaishi, Japan) Samuel Slade (Sayama Secom, Japan) Chris Gabriel* (Castres Olympique, France) Theodore McFarland (La Rochelle, France) Niko Jones (Waitemata RFC, New Zealand) Alamanda Motuga (Counties Faagi, Manukau, New Zealand) Mira G. Ioane* (Kintetsu, Japan) Abraham Papali’i (Castres, France) Connor Tupai (Eastern Suburbs, Australia) Joel Lam (Otago, New Zealand) Efeso David* (Laumoso’oi Siumu, Samoa) Jacob Umaga (Trevizo, Italy) Japan) Peter Umaga-Jensen (Kintetsu, Japan) Lalomilo Lalomilo (FCG Grenoble, France) Duncan Paia’aua (Biarritz, France) Latrell Ah Kiong (Two Blues, Australia) AJ Lam* (Clermont, France) Etene Nanai-Seturo* (Clermont, France) ShaunK Stevenson* (Clermont, France)
