The Samoa World Cup squad has been named, with Jarome Luai, Brian To’o, Stephen Crichton and Junior Paulo among the 23 players picked by coach Ben Gardiner, while Payne Haas misses out.
Rugby League Samoa announced the squad on Tuesday 6 October, NRL.com reported. Toa Samoa open against France at CommBank Stadium in Parramatta on Friday 16 October.
Haas the big absentee
Haas is the biggest name missing, Zero Tackle reported. He had been playing through a hand and finger injury, and reports in August indicated he would have off-season surgery before joining the Rabbitohs.
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui committed to Australia and is in the Kangaroos squad. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, still recovering from an ACL injury, Jeremiah Nanai, Terrell May, Jaydn Su’A and Simi Sasagi are also absent, Zero Tackle reported. Josh Papali’i, who has announced his retirement, is not named.
2022 finalists return
Luai, To’o, Crichton and Paulo were part of the core that took Samoa to the 2022 World Cup final against Australia. Dolphins star Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Storm’s Sua Fa’alogo are also included.
Five players from the Grand Final, which the Roosters won 19-18 over the Knights on Sunday 4 October, are in the squad: Roosters Spencer Leniu and Benaiah Ioelu, and Knights Greg Marzhew, Jermaine McEwen and Francis Manuleleua. Leniu is set to join Parramatta, while Wakefield Trinity’s Jazz Tevaga is the only player from outside the NRL.
What Ben Gardiner said
“One of the great things rugby league does is bring people together,” Gardiner said. “As we build towards our first World Cup game, we want to thank all Samoans around the world for their ongoing support. Your blessings and prayers are welcomed.”
Samoa’s 23-man squad
- Shawn Blore Anae Ulesese (Melbourne Storm)
- Stephen Crichton (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
- Sua Fa’alogo (Melbourne Storm)
- Clayton Faulalo (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles)
- Chanel Harris-Tavita (Warriors)
- Benaiah Ioelu (Sydney Roosters)
- Connelly Lemuelu (Dolphins)
- Spencer Leniu (Sydney Roosters)
- Jarome Luai (Wests Tigers)
- Francis Manuleleua (Newcastle Knights)
- Deine Mariner (Brisbane Broncos)
- Ata Mariota (Canberra Raiders)
- Greg Marzhew (Newcastle Knights)
- Jermaine McEwen (Newcastle Knights)
- Francis Molo (Dolphins)
- Junior Paulo (Parramatta Eels)
- Pasami Saulo (Newcastle Knights)
- Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Dolphins)
- Izack Tago (Penrith Panthers)
- Jazz Tevaga (Wakefield Trinity)
- Brian To’o (Penrith Panthers)
- Enari Tuala (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
- Ronald Volkman (Parramatta Eels)
Samoa’s World Cup fixtures
- Samoa v France: Friday 16 October, 5:45pm AEDT, CommBank Stadium, Parramatta
- Papua New Guinea v Samoa: Saturday 24 October, 3:25pm AEDT, Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby
- Tonga v Samoa: Sunday 1 November, 8:05pm AEDT, CommBank Stadium, Parramatta
The Port Moresby clash carries extra interest for To’o and Luai, who have both signed with the PNG Chiefs for the club’s first season in 2028.
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