Rugby: New Wanganui Samoa squad ready to go

Manulua Lafi is one of several Pirates club players selected for the Wanganui Samoa team, formally known as the Marton Samoans.

The Wanganui Rugby Football Union has never had more adult players involved across multiple representative teams in the post-club season with the announcement of the new Wanganui Samoa squad.

Previously known as the Marton Samoans team, which was introduced two years ago, the side has been formally added into the WRFU fold and will compete in the 2018 High Commissioners Cup against Samoan representative teams from Horowhenua Kapiti, Manawatu and Hawke's Bay.

The Cup kicked off last Saturday with Manawatu Samoa defeated Horowhenua Kapiti Samoa 44-27 in Levin.

As well as the regionals tournaments of the past two seasons, last year the Marton Samoan team played local representative squads, drawing 19-19 with the Wanganui Toyota Development XV in horrible wet conditions in Bulls, then being beaten 33-5 by the Whanganui Maori side in a Cooks Gardens curtainraiser before a Steelform Wanganui match.

There have been 36 players named initially for the new squad under Wanganui legend Ace Malo, although there will be some alterations such as Desmond Tyrell currently having commitments to the Heartland Hurricanes Under 20's squad.

The Samoans will join a deep adult representative roster which included the Wanganui Under 20's, who finished their HYRC Series last weekend, along the Development XV and the Whanganui Maori squads.

The new squad trained twice this week at Marton Park, and will kickoff their Cup campaign against Horowhenua Kapiti tomorrow at Marton Park at 12pm.

The squad is
Afano Lita Kuika, Akila Maoama, Alex Mulipola, BJ Peika, CJ Stowers, Dan Sioeli, David Mariner, Desmond Tyrell, Elijah Ah-Chong, Fa'afetai Pulemagafa, Fa'amanu Pulemagafa, Faith Esera, Fiatau Fa'alili, Francis Faleono, Francis Lauititi, Francis Uini, Junior Ainea, Junior Tauailoto, Kitiona Leitupo, Leti Manutulila, Lolo Uttu, Lote Tauailoto, Manulua Lafi, Meki Magele, Meni Segi, Penani Vui, Popo Leota, Salu Fa'amausili, Samoa Toafa, Seko Kilisi, Sui Falaniko, Taveuni Malolo, Valentino Lealofi, Vaovasa Afasua, Viliamu Alauni, Willie Aoelua.
Coach: Ace Malo; Assistant Coach: Steve Wulf. Manager: Savelu Laki Vui.