4 players who could play for the Samoa Invitational Team this Autumn

Tuesday, 05 October 2021 at 16:18

byRugby Rucker

In a statement last night, Samoa announced they have withdrawn from three November matches in Europe due to coronavirus travel problems, with their Sevens also pulling out of two Sevens World Series legs in Dubai in November and December.

However, they are committed to putting together a 'Manu Samoa selection' to face the famous invitational side at Twickenham on the 4th of December.

Reports suggest, as well as any Samoan players plying their trade in Europe, that anybody who would be eligible to represent the island nation will be approached for the game.

Here's four superstars who could play for the side:

#1. Manu Tuilagi

Age: 30
Place of birth: Fogapoa, Savai'i, Samoa
Position: Centre
Club: Sale Sharks
Honours: England and Lions (43 & 1 caps)

The England centre, who has five elder brothers who all played for Samoa, says he is still Samoan at heart. Tuilagi has previously declared that he'd 'love' to play for Samoa, and is thought to be keen to take this rare opportunity to pull on the famous blue jersey.

DID YOU KNOW? He was named Manusamoa, after the name of the Samoan national team, Manu Samoa, because his brother Freddie was selected for Samoa at the World Cup in 1991, the year Manu was born.

#2. Steve Luatua

Age: 30
Place of birth: Auckland, New Zealand
Position: Back-row
Club: Bristol Bears
Honours: Samoa U20, New Zealand U20, New Zealand (15 caps)

DID YOU KNOW? Luatua is an avid New England Patriots fan. He covered the NFL playoffs in 2017 for Duke T

#3. Anton Lienert-Brown

Place of birth: Christchurch, New Zealand
Position: Centre
Club: Chiefs
Honours: New Zealand (53 caps)

DID YOU KNOW? He is half Samoan and half NZ European.

#4. Nepo Laulala

Place of birth: Moto'otua, Samoa
Position: Prop
Club: Blues
Honours: New Zealand (37 caps)

DID YOU KNOW? Laulala's brothers, Casey Laulala and Luteru Laulala have also had careers in professional rugby. Casey is also a former All Black that last played international rugby in 2006. The Laulala brothers are one of 57 sets of brothers to become All Blacks.