Ex-All Blacks prop Charlie Faumuina and former Australia playmaker Christian Leali’ifano are set to make their debuts for Manu Samoa against Japan on Saturday in a bid to secure spots in the Pacific nation’s Rugby World Cup squad.
Under World Rugby’s new eligibility rules, Faumuina and Leali’ifano are able to switch countries since neither has played international rugby in the past three years. Faumuina, who last played for New Zealand in 2017, has been named among the Samoa replacements for the match against Japan in Hokkaido. The 36-year-old tighthead prop has been playing for Toulouse since leaving New Zealand.
Meanwhile, Leali’ifano, who represented the Wallabies in 26 appearances until 2019, will make his Samoa debut as an outside half. The 35-year-old had switched countries and played for Moana Pasifika in the Super Rugby Pacific championship this season.
The experience that Faumuina and Leali’ifano bring to the Samoan team is seen as a significant advantage. Samoa head coach Vaovasamanaia Seilala Mapusua stated that the duo’s inclusion would be really, really big for the squad.
In the upcoming Rugby World Cup tournament in September, Japan and Samoa are slated to meet in Pool D, along with Argentina, England, and Chile.
The Manu Samoa team for the match against Japan includes Danny Toala as the fullback, Neria Foma’i on the right wing, Ulupano Seuteni at outside center, Duncan Paia’aua on inside center, and Tumua Manu as the left wing. Leali’ifano will take on the role of outside half, alongside Jonathan Taumateine as scrum-half. The forward pack consists of So’otala Fa’aso’o at number eight, Alamanda Motuga at openside flanker, and Taleni Seu at blindside flanker. The second row features Michael Curry and Brian Alainu’uese, while the front row consists of Paul Alo-Emile as captain, Luteru Tolai as hooker, and Jordan Lay as loosehead prop.
The match against Japan will serve as a crucial opportunity for Faumuina and Leali’ifano to showcase their skills and stake their claims for a place in Samoa’s Rugby World Cup squad.
By joining Samoa, Faumuina and Leali’ifano are not only contributing to the strength of the Samoan team but also bringing greater visibility and competitiveness to the Pacific Island nations in international rugby.
The rugby community eagerly awaits the debut performances of these two experienced players as they embark on a new chapter in their international careers, representing Manu Samoa on the world stage.
