Former England worldwide Jacob Umaga has been named in new head coach Tusi Pisi’s first Manu Samoa squad for the Take a look at in opposition to Scotland at Eden Park in July and the Pacific Nations Cup in August and September.
Umaga, who gained his solely England cap underneath Eddie Jones in opposition to the USA 4 years in the past, might now observe within the footsteps of his father, Mike Umaga, who gained 13 caps for Manu Samoa and appeared at Rugby World Cup 1995.
The Yorkshire-born 26-year-old has been alternating between fly-half and full-back for URC facet Benetton, the place he’s within the closing yr of a three-year contract.
Umaga is just not the one participant with a well-known father to be included within the squad, as Niko Jones, the son of All Blacks nice Michael, can also be in there as one of many 11 uncapped gamers.
The Manu Samoa squad, led by Saracens free ahead Theo McFarland, includes gamers from golf equipment based mostly in seven totally different international locations.
USA’s Major League Rugby has seven representatives – together with uncapped former Northampton and Bedford scrum-half Connor Tupai, who’s now with San Diego Legion – which is three greater than Tremendous Rugby franchise Moana Pasifika.
“I’ve chosen warriors who perceive the load of the jersey,” stated former fly-half Pisi.
“Our choice blends expertise with contemporary expertise – gamers, who rise to the problem of representing our folks.
“With our first Take a look at in opposition to Scotland, we respect them, however we play for Samoa. And with the Pacific Nations Cup, it turns into our battlefield for World Cup qualification the place each sort out, each scrum, and each level is a step in the direction of Australia 2027.”
Manu Samoa squad:
Aki SEIULI – Utah Warriors, USA
Titi LAMOSITELE – Harlequins, UK
Kaynan SITEINE-TUA* – Western Sydney Two Blues, AUSTRALIA
Luteru TOLAI – Biarritz, FRANCE
Pita ANAE-AH SUE* – Houston SaberCats, USA
Leif SCHWENCKE* – Linton Lions, NZ
Michael ALAALATOA – ASM Clermont, FRANCE
Marco FEPULEA’I – Uta & Alamagoto Colomiers Rugby, FRANCE
Tietie TUIMAUGA – Montauban Rugby, FRANCE
Bradley Soo AMITUANAI* – Waratahs, AUSTRALIA
Samuel SLADE – Moana Pasifika, NZ
Benjamin Petaia NEE-NEE – Seawaves, JAPAN
Michael CURRY – Moana Pasifika, NZ
Olajuwon NOA – Seattle Seawolves, USA
Theodore MCFARLAND (C) – Saracens, UK
Jonah MAU’U – NOLA Gold Rugby, USA
Taleni SEU – Toyota Shokki Shuttles, JAPAN
Niko JONES* – Waitemata, NZ
Malaesaili ELATO* – Marist Rugby Membership/Apia, NPC, SAMOA
Iakopo MAPU – Northampton Saints, UK
Melani MATAVAO – Moana Pasifika, NZ
Connor TUPAI* – San Diego Legion, USA
Joel LAM* – Burnside Rugby Soccer Membership, NZ
Jacob UMAGA* – Benetton Treviso, ITALY
Alai D’Angelo LEUILA – Utah Warriors Rugby, USA
Rodney IONA – Seattle Seawolves, USA
Duncan PAIA’AUA – Toulou, FRANCE
Henry TAEFU – Docomo Redhurricanes, JAPAN
Melani NANAI – Capilano, CANADA
Afa MOLELI – Ardmore Marist, NZ
Taunuu NIULEVAEA* – Laumua o Tumua, NPC, SAMOA
Tuna TUITAMA – Moana Pasifika, NZ
Elisapeta ALOFIPO – Hunter Wildfire Newcastle, AUSTRALIA
Tomasi ALOSIO – Ardmore Marist Membership, NZ
Latrell AH KIONG* – Western Sydney Two Blues, AUSTRALIA
*Denotes Potential Take a look at Debut for Manu Samoa
Key Dates:
Manu Samoa v Scotland
18th July – Manu Samoa v Scotland – Eden Park, Auckland,
Manu Samoa PNC 2025 / RWC 2027 Qualification
twenty third August – Manu Samoa v Tonga – Spherical 1 PNC – Nukualofa, Tonga
sixth September – Manu Samoa v Fiji – Spherical 2 PNC – Rotorua, NZ
14th September – PNC Semi Finals – Denver, USA
twentieth September – PNC Finals – Utah, USA
