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The Samoa Rugby League (SRL) has released the Toa Samoas 37-man training squad for the World Cup beginning on October 25th.
Included in the squad are five locally based players: Tupu Ulufale, Ponifasio Vasa and Taualagi Lepupa of Marist; Afa Poalaga of Vaiala; and Timothy Stowers of Channel.
Vasa and Lepupa are the teams only two remaining local players since its reperchage matches last year in England, where the Toa booked a slot for the 100th Rugby League World Cup this October.
The squad will be narrowed down to 26, before the announcement of the official 24 players to represent Samoa in this prestigious tournament.
We wont finalise our team until probably the 16th of October, said SRL Secretary Fritz Tuiavii.
At the moment its still an ongoing selection, said Tuiavii.
For example, some of the Warriors players which are doing very well at the moment want to play for Samoa in the World Cup, he explained.
We havent finalised anything yet until our team is named in October.
The number of local players hasnt been finalised, but we will take local players in order to be recognised by the Rugby League world body in Australia.
However, our local boys have to compete for spots with international players so the exact number of local players to be selected remains undetermined.
The Toa Samoa RLWC team will be in Samoa for one week in October, before they are given a national send-off.
The Toa Samoa training squad includes the dynamic Matt Utai of the Canterbury Bulldogs, the Wigan bulldozer Lafeta Paleasina and the Panthers Puletua brothers, Tony and Frank.
The SRL Management team will leave this week for New Zealand for the revealing of the Toa Samoa World Cup outfit.
Prime Minister Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi is expected to be present for the announcement.
Toa Samoa RLWC training squad:
Afa Poalaga (Vaiala Blackie), Ali Lauititi (Leeds), Ben Teo ( West Tigers), David Faiumu (Huddersfield), David Solomona (Bradford), Evarn Tuimavave (Warriors), Francis Meli (St. Helens), Frank Puletua (Panthers), George Carmont (Wigan), Harrison Hansen (Wigan), Hutch Maiava (Windsor), Iaefeta Paleasina (Wigan), Jerome Ropati (Warriors), Joe Paulo (Panthers), Junior Paulo (Parramatta), Junior Sau (Newcastle), Kristian Inu (Parramatta), Lagi Setu (St. George), Kylie Leuluai (Leeds), Mark Taufua (Newcastle Knights), Masada Iosefa (Panthers), Matt Utai (Canterbury Bulldogs), Misi Taulapapa (Cronulla Sharks), Nigel Vagana (South), Phil Leuluai (Selford), Ponifasio Vasa (Marist Saints), Smith Samau (Cold Coast Titans), Steven Matai (Manly), Tagi Ropati (Easts Brisbane), Taualagi Lepupa (Marist Saints), Tauliima Tautai (Parammatta), Terry Seuseu (Sharks), Timothy Stowers (Channel Roosters), Tony Puletua (Panthers), Tupu Ulufale (Marist Saints), Wayne McDade (Auckland Vulcans), Willie Talau (St. Helens
Included in the squad are five locally based players: Tupu Ulufale, Ponifasio Vasa and Taualagi Lepupa of Marist; Afa Poalaga of Vaiala; and Timothy Stowers of Channel.
Vasa and Lepupa are the teams only two remaining local players since its reperchage matches last year in England, where the Toa booked a slot for the 100th Rugby League World Cup this October.
The squad will be narrowed down to 26, before the announcement of the official 24 players to represent Samoa in this prestigious tournament.
We wont finalise our team until probably the 16th of October, said SRL Secretary Fritz Tuiavii.
At the moment its still an ongoing selection, said Tuiavii.
For example, some of the Warriors players which are doing very well at the moment want to play for Samoa in the World Cup, he explained.
We havent finalised anything yet until our team is named in October.
The number of local players hasnt been finalised, but we will take local players in order to be recognised by the Rugby League world body in Australia.
However, our local boys have to compete for spots with international players so the exact number of local players to be selected remains undetermined.
The Toa Samoa RLWC team will be in Samoa for one week in October, before they are given a national send-off.
The Toa Samoa training squad includes the dynamic Matt Utai of the Canterbury Bulldogs, the Wigan bulldozer Lafeta Paleasina and the Panthers Puletua brothers, Tony and Frank.
The SRL Management team will leave this week for New Zealand for the revealing of the Toa Samoa World Cup outfit.
Prime Minister Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi is expected to be present for the announcement.
Toa Samoa RLWC training squad:
Afa Poalaga (Vaiala Blackie), Ali Lauititi (Leeds), Ben Teo ( West Tigers), David Faiumu (Huddersfield), David Solomona (Bradford), Evarn Tuimavave (Warriors), Francis Meli (St. Helens), Frank Puletua (Panthers), George Carmont (Wigan), Harrison Hansen (Wigan), Hutch Maiava (Windsor), Iaefeta Paleasina (Wigan), Jerome Ropati (Warriors), Joe Paulo (Panthers), Junior Paulo (Parramatta), Junior Sau (Newcastle), Kristian Inu (Parramatta), Lagi Setu (St. George), Kylie Leuluai (Leeds), Mark Taufua (Newcastle Knights), Masada Iosefa (Panthers), Matt Utai (Canterbury Bulldogs), Misi Taulapapa (Cronulla Sharks), Nigel Vagana (South), Phil Leuluai (Selford), Ponifasio Vasa (Marist Saints), Smith Samau (Cold Coast Titans), Steven Matai (Manly), Tagi Ropati (Easts Brisbane), Taualagi Lepupa (Marist Saints), Tauliima Tautai (Parammatta), Terry Seuseu (Sharks), Timothy Stowers (Channel Roosters), Tony Puletua (Panthers), Tupu Ulufale (Marist Saints), Wayne McDade (Auckland Vulcans), Willie Talau (St. Helens