Thirty-two players have been selected for the Manu Samoa squad to compete in the 2026 Nations Cup in July in Chile and Uruguay, with three on-island players included.
Taunuu Niulevaea, Elisapeta Alofipo and Warren Solomona will depart Samoa with a few of the management at the end of the month. The full squad includes players based in Samoa, New Zealand, Australia, the United Kingdom and France. Manu Samoa head coach Lemalu Tusiata Pisi will remain in Samoa until the end of the month to work with the three on-island players before the team leaves.
"I don't really like using the term local players, because we're all one,” Lemalu said. “But the players that do play here (in Samoa), obviously these three here at the moment, have been outstanding in terms of their performance.”
All players will meet for the first time one week before the competition starts. The squad will travel to Chile and Uruguay for three matches with Manu Samoa in Pool A. According to the World Rugby Nations Cup 2026 draw, Manu Samoa will open its campaign against Hong Kong China on July 5 in Chile. Their second match will be against Georgia on July 12 in Chile, before facing Romania on July 19 in Uruguay.
It was revealed by the management that Manu Samoa skipper Theodore McFarland was unable to play in this competition due to engagements during the competition period.
