Former Wallaby Scott Sio follows in the footsteps of his father David, who played in the 1991 Rugby World Cup for Manu Samoa.<\/p>\n
In fact, he was named Scott after being born three days before Western Samoa were set to play Scotland in the quarter-final of that tournament.<\/p>\n
The 34-year-old recently became eligible for the island nation, last pulling on the gold jersey in September 2022 against New Zealand.<\/p>\n
Sio headlines a strong Samoa squad set to fight for the final spot in the 2027 Rugby World Cup after going down to Chile last month.<\/p>\n
Former Brumby Rodney Iona has also been named, set to share the playmaking duties with Duncan Paia\u2019aua, who was part of the Wallabies squad in 2021.<\/p>\n
Moana Pasifika hooker Millennium Sanerivi is in line for his Test debut, one of several from the team alongside the likes of Miracle Faiilagi, Lalamilo Lalamilo and Jonathan Taumateine.<\/p>\n
Saracens lock Theo McFarland is set to captain the side as one of several overseas stars to go with Abraham Papalii and Jacob Umaga, nephew of legendary All Black and Moana Pasifika coach Tana.<\/p>\n
Samoa will battle Belgium, Namibia and Brazil for the final spot at the World Cup in Australia in a three-round tournament in Dubai.<\/p>\n
Manu Samoa will open their campaign against Brazil on 8 November, face Namibia on 13 November, and finish their campaign against Belgium on 18 November, with all matches taking place at The Sevens Stadium, Dubai.<\/p>\n
Manu Samoa 30-Man Squad <\/em>Samoa has been in every World Cup since 1991 and Head Coach, Lemalu Tusi Pisi understands exactly what\u2019s at stake saying \u201cThis is the final qualification spot for Rugby World Cup 2027, and the team is fully aware of the importance of this moment for Samoa. It\u2019s a huge motivation for us all.\u201d<\/p>\n In its World Cup qualification campaign, Manu Samoa had problems with players availability.<\/p>\n \u201cIn terms of player availability, we\u2019re pleased to welcome back a strong core group of players who have been part of our journey over the past seasons, alongside some new faces who have impressed and earned their selection. That mix of experience and youth gives us balance, energy, and a lot of pride,\u201d says Lemalu.<\/p>\n Manu Samoa arrives in Dubai during match week and play that same weekend, so putting the team together quickly will be vital.<\/p>\n \u201cBut our preparation has already started, the install of information, clarity around our systems, and communication with players has been ongoing before camp even begins. By the time we come together, everyone will already be aligned and ready to go,\u201d says Lemalu.<\/p>\n \u201cOur focus now is on execution and connection. We know this will be a tough challenge, but the belief within the team is strong. We\u2019ll give everything for Samoa, for our families, and for our people.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Former Wallaby Scott Sio follows in the footsteps of his father David, who played in the 1991 Rugby World Cup for Manu Samoa. In fact, he was named Scott after being born three days before Western Samoa were set to play Scotland in the quarter-final of that tournament. The 34-year-old recently became eligible for the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":53755,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[212,6],"tags":[59,5869,5870],"class_list":["post-53754","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-rugby","category-sports","tag-featured","tag-former-wallyby-scott-sio","tag-manu-samoa-final-world-cup-qualification-tournament"],"yoast_head":"\n
\n<\/strong>1. Scott Sio* \u2013 Solosolo, Vaiala \u2013 Exeter Chiefs, UK
\n<\/strong>2. Titi Lamositele \u2013 Falealupo, Saleimoa \u2013 Harlequins, UK
\n<\/strong>3. Jarred Adams \u2013 Lefagaoalii & Safune \u2013 Suburbs Rugby Club, Auckland, NZ
\n<\/strong>4. Michael Alaalatoa \u2013 Fasitoo Uta & Apia \u2013 ASM Clermont, France
\n5. Tietie Tuimauga \u2013 Faala Palauli, Fagafau \u2013 Saracens, UK
\n6. Sama Malolo \u2013 Vaisala, Matautu Uta \u2013 Perpignan, France
\n7. Luteru Tolai \u2013 Gagaifo, Lefaga & Aitutaki, Cook Islands \u2013 Biarritz, France
\n8. Millennium Sanerivi* \u2013 Taelefaga Fagaloa, Fasitoo-Uta \u2013 Moana Pasifika
\n9. Theodore McFarland (C) \u2013 Salelavalu & Moamoa \u2013 Saracens, UK
\n10. Benjamin Petaia Nee-Nee \u2013 Lalomanu & Salesatele \u2013 Seawaves, Japan
\n11. Michael Curry \u2013 Faatoia & Taufusi \u2013 Moana Pasifika, NZ
\n12. Taleni Seu \u2013 Eva & Solosolo \u2013 Toyota Shokki Shuttles, Japan
\n13. Alamanda Motuga \u2013 Satoa, Saanapu \u2013 Moana Pasifika, NZ
\n14. Niko Jones \u2013 Moataa & Safune \u2013 Waitemata, NZ
\n15. Miracle Faiilagi \u2013 Vailele, Uafato \u2013 Moana Pasifika, NZ
\n16. Iakopo Mapu \u2013 Faleula & Vaitele Fou \u2013 Stade Francais, France
\n17. Abraham Papalii \u2013 Maagiagi, Fusi Anoamaa \u2013 Castres Olympique, France
\n18. Connor Tupa\u2019i \u2013 Tuasivi & Sataua \u2013 San Diego Legion, USA
\n19. Joel Lam \u2013 Alafua & Satupaitea \u2013 Burnside Rugby Football Club, NZ
\n20. Jonathan Taumateine \u2013 Nofoalii, Satapuala \u2013 Moana Pasifika, NZ
\n21. Jacob Umaga \u2013 Sagone, Leulumoega \u2013 Benetton Treviso, Italy
\n22. Rodney Iona \u2013 Pata, Falelatai & Vaiafai, Iva \u2013 Seattle Seawolves, USA
\n23. Faletoi Peni* \u2013 Satupaitea, Sili \u2013 Southland, NZ
\n24. Tumua Manu \u2013 Afega, Sasina \u2013 Pau, France
\n25. Melani Nanai \u2013 Falelatai & Papauta \u2013 Capilano, Canada
\n26. Duncan Paia’aua \u2013 Mutiatele, Satupaitea \u2013 USA Perpignan, France
\n27. Lalomilo Lalomilo \u2013 Safotu, Falefa \u2013 Moana Pasifika, NZ
\n<\/strong>28. Latrell Ah Kiong \u2013 Faala, Fusi Safata \u2013 Western Sydney Two Blues, Aust
\n29. Tuna Tuitama \u2013 Mulifanua & Faleasiu \u2013 Moana Pasifika, NZ
\n30. Vaafauese Apelu Maliko* \u2013 Lufilufi, Lotopue \u2013 Rugby Club Suresnois, France<\/p>\n\n